I-81 Rest Area - Greene County West
0 mi from route
Trip from Oak Grove, TN to East Chattanooga, TN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 50m
Distance
203.3 mi
327 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 38m
★
6 AM
3h 51m
8 AM
4h 16m
10 AM
4h 0m
12 PM
3h 57m
3 PM
4h 1m
5 PM
4h 15m
8 PM
3h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oak Grove, TN
Skyler Ewing
Trip Overview
Oak Grove, TN to East Chattanooga, TN is 203.3 miles and takes about 3h 50m via I-75, I-81, and I-40, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Tennessee, traversing the Southeast region. It's a straightforward drive primarily on major interstates, making it an efficient option if you're looking to get from point A to point B without much fuss. Expect a direct journey with minimal detours, ideal for a single-day transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
101.6 miles from Oak Grove, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 77.1 mi | 1h 23m |
| I 81 | 59.2 mi | 1h 3m |
| I 40 | 52.8 mi | 59m |
| Bonny Oaks Drive | 6.5 mi | 11m |
| Fort Henry Drive | 3 mi | 4m |
| Kingsport Highway | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Campbell Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| US 11 | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 77.1 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oak Grove, TN and East Chattanooga, TN.
1
Start on SR 36
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Kingsport Highway
2
Continue on SR 36
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Fort Henry Drive
3
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 59
Toward SR 36: Kingsport, Johnson City
4
Merge onto I 81
58 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
I 81
5
Continue on I 81
0.7 mi
·
45 sec
·
I 81
Exit 1B
Toward I 40 West: Knoxville
6
Merge onto I 40
53 mi
·
59 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
77 mi
·
1 hr 23 min
·
I 75
Toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
8
Take the exit onto US 11; US 64; SR 317
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
US 11; US 64; SR 317
Toward Secondary SR 317 West, US 11 South, US 64 West: Bonny Oaks Drive, Old Lee Highway
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 11; US 64; SR 317
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
US 11; US 64; SR 317
10
Continue on TN 317
4.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Bonny Oaks Drive
11
Continue on SR 17
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Bonny Oaks Drive
12
Continue on SR 17
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Campbell Street
13
Turn right onto SR 17
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Glass Street
14
Turn left onto North Chamberlain Avenue
52 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Chamberlain Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
North Chamberlain Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under 4 hours, you can easily complete this drive in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time for any unexpected delays or a brief stop. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in planning your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 77.1-mile stretch on I-75, as services might be less frequent in certain sections.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 101.6 miles from Oak Grove, TN, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.1 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 45 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.6 miles or 1h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Chattanooga, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Oak Grove, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Oak Grove, TN
This is one driving day of about 203.3 miles and 3h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Oak Grove, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 77.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
102 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 101.6 miles from Oak Grove, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
I-81 Jefferson County West
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
McMinn County Rest Area Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
I-81 Rest Area - Greene County East
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
McMinn County Rest Area Southbound
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Jefferson County I-40 East Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.4 mi from route
Rest Area and Tennessee Welcome Center
2.5 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 5.9 and 195.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.9 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Turn left toward SR 36: Kingsport, Johnson City
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 59
Toward SR 36: Kingsport, Johnson City
5
65.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
118.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m in
|
I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
7
195.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 36m in
|
US 11; US 64; SR 317
Take the exit onto US 11; US 64; SR 317 toward Secondary SR 317 West, US 11 South, US 64 West: Bonny Oaks Drive, Old Lee Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Secondary SR 317 West, US 11 South, US 6...
5
195.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 36m in
|
US 11; US 64; SR 317
Keep slight right at fork onto US 11; US 64; SR 317
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.02 one way
$60.05 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $33.14 | $66.29 |
| premium | $4.72 | $37.75 | $75.49 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $38.39 | $76.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61 | 0 | $21.35 | $9.76 |
| Efficient EV | 50.8 | 0 | $17.79 | $8.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.3 | 1 | $28.46 | $13.01 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Oak Grove, TN
Morning in Oak Grove on Sunday
Local time
7:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 mph
56% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
East Chattanooga, TN
Morning in East Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
7:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
NW 0 to 5 mph
23% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 50m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
National Park
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 77.1
Park Closure: Abrams Falls Trail Closed
Park Closure: Seasonal road closures
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 93% of the route utilizing interstates. You'll experience mostly fast-paced driving, particularly on I-75, where the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 77.1 miles. While the majority of the journey is on high-speed roads, the transition between I-75, I-81, and I-40 offers a brief change in scenery. Overall, anticipate a consistent driving experience with minimal slowdowns.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77.1 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 81. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 203.3 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.3 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,705 ft
684 ft
Total Climb
472 ft
Total Descent
1,201 ft
Highest Point
1,705 ft
~14.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,021 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 50m. Total distance: 203.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 77.1 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.3 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at East Chattanooga, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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