Origin
Red Bank, TN
Morning in Red Bank on Sunday
Local time
9:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Red Bank, TN to Chattanooga, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 42m
Distance
127.2 mi
205 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 31m
★
6 AM
2h 42m
8 AM
3h 3m
10 AM
2h 50m
12 PM
2h 47m
3 PM
2h 51m
5 PM
3h 2m
8 PM
2h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Red Bank, TN
Chris Flaten
Chattanooga, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 127.2-mile journey from Red Bank, TN, to Chattanooga, TN, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 42 minutes. Designed as a single-day trip, it focuses primarily on highway travel, with 91% of the route on major roads. With an estimated fuel cost of $20, this drive offers an economical way to connect two points within the Southeast region. The route is efficient and practical, making it ideal for travelers looking for a quick and uncomplicated transit between these Tennessee locations. You'll spend the majority of your time on I-75.
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
63.6 miles from Red Bank, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 74.4 mi | 1h 22m |
| East Lamar Alexander Parkway | 33.5 mi | 45m |
| I 24 | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| Sugar Limb Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| East Lee Highway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| East Broadway Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| US 27 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Old Tuckaleechee Road | 1.3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 74.4 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Red Bank, TN and Chattanooga, TN.
1
Start on Pam Lane
123 ft
·
5 sec
·
Pam Lane
2
Turn left onto Schoolhouse Gap Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Schoolhouse Gap Road
3
Turn slight right onto Cavern Road
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Cavern Road
4
Turn straight onto Dry Valley Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Dry Valley Road
5
Turn straight onto Old Cades Cove Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Cades Cove Road
6
Turn straight onto Old Tuckaleechee Road
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Tuckaleechee Road
7
Turn left onto US 321
14 mi
·
21 min
·
East Lamar Alexander Parkway
8
Continue on US 321
20 mi
·
24 min
·
East Lamar Alexander Parkway
9
Turn left onto US 11
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
East Broadway Street
10
Continue on US 11
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East Lee Highway
11
Turn right onto SR 324
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Sugar Limb Road
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
13
Merge onto I 75
74 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
I 75
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 24
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
I 24
Toward Chattanooga, Nashville
16
Take the exit onto US 27
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
US 27
Exit 178
Toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 27
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
US 27
Exit 178
Toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 27
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
US 27
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 1B
Toward Downtown
20
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
21
Arrive at destination
TN 8
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 42 minutes, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion with plenty of flexibility. You can depart at your leisure, perhaps after the morning rush. Plan for just one primary stop to break up the 127.2 miles, though the longest stretch on I-75 is 74.4 miles, so a mid-drive break might be welcome. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, with an estimated cost of $20 for the trip. A practical tip is to check traffic conditions on I-75 before you leave, as it's the main artery for a substantial portion of your drive.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63.6 miles from Red Bank, TN, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.4 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 28 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.6 miles or 1h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chattanooga, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Red Bank, 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 Red Bank, TN
This is one driving day of about 127.2 miles and 2h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Red Bank, 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 74.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 63.6 miles from Red Bank, 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 74.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 118.6 and 127 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
118.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m in
Take the exit toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
8
125.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m in
|
US 27
Take the exit onto US 27 toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 178
Toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain
10
125.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m in
|
US 27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 27 toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 178
Toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain
6
125.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m in
|
US 27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 27
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
127 mi into trip
|
~2h 41m in
|
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.89 one way
$39.77 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.83 | $43.67 |
| premium | $4.89 | $24.48 | $48.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.08 | $56.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.2 | 0 | $13.36 | $6.11 |
| Efficient EV | 31.8 | 0 | $11.13 | $5.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.9 | 0 | $17.81 | $8.14 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Chattanooga, TN
Morning in Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
9:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
SW 5 to 10 mph
14% chance
Live forecast
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
38 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
2h 42m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 91% of the route utilizing major roadways like I-75, East Lamar Alexander Parkway, and I-24. The experience is largely characterized by consistent highway speeds, including a significant uninterrupted stretch of 74.4 miles on I-75. While primarily a driving-focused experience, the presence of various interstates ensures a dynamic yet predictable progression. The road mainly consists of major arteries designed for efficient travel.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 74.4 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and East Lamar Alexander Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 118.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 127.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 118.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.1 miles (US 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.3 miles (US 27): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Red Bank, TN to Chattanooga, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Nashville along the way.
Nashville
118.6 mi in
|
~2h 30m
About the Cities
Arriving in Chattanooga, TN
Full guide →Chattanooga is the 4th largest city in Tennessee. It is the seat of Hamilton County. It is in Southeast Tennessee on the Tennessee River and near the border of Georgia. It was immortalized in the popular 1941 song "Chattanooga Choo Choo", made famous by Glenn Miller.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 42m. Total distance: 127.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 74.4 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Chattanooga, TN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 118.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.1 miles (US 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.3 miles (US 27): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Chattanooga, TN before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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