Crossing Tennessee from Three Way to East Chattanooga covers 267 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 1 minute. This highway-focused journey relies heavily on I-40, I-24, and the Tennessee National Guard Parkway to move you across the state. Because the total drive time is manageable, it works well as a straightforward one-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $40 for fuel to complete the trek. Since both your starting point and destination are nestled within the Southeast region, the environment remains consistent throughout the journey. It is a practical, efficient path for travelers looking to get from the western side of the state to the Chattanooga area quickly.
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
133.5 miles from Three Way, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 24
103.1 mi
1h 54m
I 40
95.6 mi
1h 42m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
52.2 mi
55m
US 45W
7.9 mi
10m
Riverside Drive
1.3 mi
2m
Wilcox Boulevard
0.9 mi
2m
Dodson Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
US 27
0.7 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 103.1 mi, about 1h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Three Way, TN and East Chattanooga, TN.
1
Start on Sanders Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Sanders Road
2
Turn right onto US 45W
7.9 mi·10 min·US 45W
Use the left lane.
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 40; US 412
96 mi·1 hr 42 min·I 40; US 412
5
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
6
Merge onto I 840
52 mi·55 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.8 mi·2 min
Exit 53AToward I 24 East: ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 24
103 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 184BToward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
10
Continue on US 27
0.7 mi·59 sec·US 27
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 1BToward Downtown
12
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
0.3 mi·50 sec·West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
13
Turn left onto Georgia Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Georgia Avenue
14
Turn right onto East 4th Street
0.4 mi·35 sec·East 4th Street
15
Turn straight
0.1 mi·22 sec
16
Continue on Riverside Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Riverside Drive
17
Turn right onto Wilcox Boulevard
0.9 mi·2 min·Wilcox Boulevard
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto SR 17
0.8 mi·1 min·Dodson Avenue
19
Turn right onto SR 17
0.4 mi·45 sec·Glass Street
20
Turn sharp right onto North Chamberlain Avenue
52 ft·1 sec·North Chamberlain Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
North Chamberlain Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic periods in urban corridors along the interstate. Planning for at least one dedicated stop is a smart way to break up the drive and stay alert during your time on the road. Since the route is entirely highway-focused, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longer 103.1-mile stretch on I-24 to ensure you don't run low between services. Because this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your start time based on your personal pace. Aiming for an early morning departure will help you arrive in East Chattanooga with plenty of daylight to spare.
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 133.5 miles from Three Way, TN, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.1 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 59 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.5 miles or 2h 27m 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 2m
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 Three Way, 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 Three Way, TN
This is one driving day of about 267 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Three Way, 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 24 for about 103.1 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 262.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|US 45W
Turn right onto US 45W
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
8.2 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
104.1 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Take the exit toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
7
157.1 mi into trip|~2h 53m 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
262.3 mi into trip|~4h 51m 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
$41.74 one way
$83.48 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$45.83
$91.66
premium
$4.89
$51.38
$102.76
diesel
$5.61
$58.95
$117.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.1
0
$28.03
$12.82
Efficient EV
66.8
0
$23.36
$10.68
EV Truck/SUV
106.8
1
$37.38
$17.09
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Three Way, TN
Late night
in Three Way on Tuesday
Local time
5:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
East Chattanooga, TN
Morning
in East Chattanooga on Tuesday
Local time
6:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
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
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 1m 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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 156.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient transit, as 97% of this route takes place on major highways. The character of the drive is defined by sustained interstate travel rather than local winding roads. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 103.1 miles while navigating I-24, which demands steady focus and patience. While the road transitions across different highway segments, the experience is largely consistent and designed for speed and directness. You will spend most of your time behind the wheel cruising at highway speeds, making this an ideal choice if you prioritize reaching your destination over scenic detours.
97% 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: 103.1 mi on I 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and I 40. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near US 45W.
Driving Effort6/10
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 267 miles you will encounter 16 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 0.4 miles (US 45W): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 104.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,104 ft403 ft
Total Climb
1,397 ft
Total Descent
1,116 ft
Highest Point
1,104 ft
~190.7 mi in
Elevation Range
701 ft
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 Three Way, TN to East Chattanooga, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
Franklin
104.1 mi in|~1h 55m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 1m. Total distance: 267 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103.1 miles on I 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 East 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 0.4 miles (US 45W): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 104.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at East Chattanooga, TN before the return drive.
