Ridgely to Chattanooga is 316.7 miles and takes about 5 hours 58 minutes via US 412 and I-24, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Tennessee, covering ground across the Southeast region. You'll spend most of your time on the highway, making it a straightforward trip. It's a good option if you're looking for a direct route to Chattanooga without much fuss. Plan for a single day of driving, as the duration is manageable.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
158.4 miles from Ridgely, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 412
140.2 mi
2h 36m
I 24
103.1 mi
1h 54m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
52.2 mi
55m
State Route 78
14.1 mi
19m
I 155
2.3 mi
2m
US 27
0.7 mi
<1m
Poplar Street
0.5 mi
1m
Lake Road
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 412
— 140.2 mi, about 2h 36m
Traffic on I-24
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 9 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,974 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,367
Quietest
2 AM
~348 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ridgely, TN and Chattanooga, TN.
1
Start on this road
61 ft·6 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Depot Street
155 ft·6 sec·Depot Street
3
Turn right onto South Main Street
211 ft·11 sec·South Main Street
4
Turn left onto Poplar Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Poplar Street
5
Turn right onto TN 78
0.3 mi·26 sec·South Headden Drive
6
Continue on TN 78
14 mi·19 min·State Route 78
7
Continue on TN 78
0.5 mi·1 min·Lake Road
8
Turn left
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward Union City
9
Merge onto I 155; US 412
2.3 mi·2 min·I 155; US 412
10
Take the exit onto US 412
14 mi·16 min·US 412
Exit 15Toward US 51 South, US 412 East: Dyersburg, Jackson
11
Continue on US 412
29 mi·34 min·US 412
12
Turn left onto US 412
97 mi·1 hr 44 min·US 412
Toward I-40 East, US 412 East: NashvilleUse the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
14
Merge onto I 840
52 mi·55 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.8 mi·2 min
Exit 53AToward I 24 East: ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 24
103 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 184BToward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
18
Continue on US 27
0.7 mi·59 sec·US 27
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 1BToward 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 5 hour 58 minute estimated drive time, leaving in the morning from Ridgely makes sense to arrive in Chattanooga with daylight to spare. You'll encounter one major stretch of 140.2 miles on US 412, so consider a quick stop before or after that segment. The fuel cost is estimated at $48, so ensure your tank is full before you depart. With the drive being under six hours, you can easily complete it in one day, offering flexibility for any unscheduled stops or a more relaxed pace.
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 158.4 miles from Ridgely, TN, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.2 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 70 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.4 miles or 3h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 54m
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 Ridgely, 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 Ridgely, TN
This is one driving day of about 316.7 miles and 5h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Ridgely, 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 US 412 for about 140.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 316.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Depot Street
Turn right onto Depot Street
Navigation decision point
6
18.2 mi into trip|~25m in|US 412
Take the exit onto US 412 toward US 51 South, US 412 East: Dyersburg, Jackson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 15
Toward US 51 South, US 412 East: Dyersburg, Jac...
6
61.2 mi into trip|~1h 17m in|US 412
Turn left onto US 412 toward I-40 East, US 412 East: Nashville
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I-40 East, US 412 East: Nashville
7
211.3 mi into trip|~3h 59m in
Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
6
316.5 mi into trip|~5h 58m 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
$46.77 one way
$93.54 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$51.63
$103.26
premium
$4.72
$58.80
$117.60
diesel
$4.80
$59.80
$119.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95
1
$33.25
$15.20
Efficient EV
79.2
0
$27.71
$12.67
EV Truck/SUV
126.7
1
$44.34
$20.27
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Ridgely, TN
Morning
in Ridgely on Sunday
Local time
9:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
WNW 10 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 12:56PM EDT by NWS Morristown TN
Destination
Chattanooga, TN
Morning
in Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
10:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 0 to 5 mph51% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 12:56PM EDT by NWS Morristown 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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 58m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Stones River National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it ch...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 218.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway, with 99% of the drive on major roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 140.2 miles on US 412 before transitioning to I-24 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. Expect consistent highway cruising for the bulk of your travel. The transition from US 412 to I-24 will likely involve more traffic and merging.
99% 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: 140.2 mi on US 412.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 412 and I 24. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Depot Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 316.7 miles you will encounter 15 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: near the start (Depot Street): Navigation decision point; at 18.2 miles (US 412): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.2 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,905 ft279 ft
Total Climb
1,984 ft
Total Descent
1,590 ft
Highest Point
1,905 ft
~271.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,626 ft
Notable High Points
1,905 ft at ~271.5 miles+861 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ridgely, TN and Chattanooga, TN, road signs point toward Jackson and Franklin.
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.
Top landmarks
•Delta Queen — paddle steamer launched in 1926
•Hunter Museum of American Art — art museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee
•Saints Peter and Paul Basilica — historic church in Tennessee, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 58m. Total distance: 316.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 140.2 miles on US 412. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 30 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.
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. There are 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Depot Street): Navigation decision point; at 18.2 miles (US 412): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.2 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Chattanooga, TN before the return drive.
