Origin
Altamont, TN
Evening in Altamont on Sunday
Local time
7:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Altamont, TN to East Chattanooga, TN
Drive Time
1h 23m
Distance
53.9 mi
87 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 17m
★
6 AM
1h 24m
8 AM
1h 37m
10 AM
1h 28m
12 PM
1h 27m
3 PM
1h 29m
5 PM
1h 36m
8 PM
1h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Altamont, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 53.9 miles through the Southeast, this trip from Altamont to East Chattanooga typically takes about 1 hour and 23 minutes. It is a straightforward, single-day excursion that fits easily into a busy schedule without requiring an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $8 on fuel for the journey, making it a very economical choice. Because both the origin and destination are located within the Southeast region of Tennessee, you will experience a consistent regional atmosphere throughout the drive. Whether you are commuting or just heading out for a change of scenery, this route offers a practical and efficient connection between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
27 miles from Altamont, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 40m into the drive .
Drive Character
This mixed drive transitions through a variety of road types, keeping the experience engaging from start to finish. You will spend roughly 52% of your time on highways, providing a balanced pace that shifts between faster stretches and local roads. SR 108 handles the bulk of the initial travel, featuring a 23-mile longest stretch that allows you to settle into a rhythm. As you navigate onto Suck Creek Road and eventually Main Street, the character of the drive changes, requiring more focused attention than a standard interstate cruise. Expect a functional mix of terrain that avoids the monotony of long-distance highway driving.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
SR 108 is the longest continuous segment at about 23 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 28.3 miles in near SR 283.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 53.9 miles you will encounter 12 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 28.3 miles (SR 283): Navigation decision point; at 45.4 miles (US 127 / Signal Mountain Road): Navigation decision point; at 49.4 miles (West 4th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
28.3 mi into trip
|
~42m in
|
SR 283
Turn left onto SR 283
Navigation decision point
4
45.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
US 127 / Signal Mountain Road
At end of road, turn right onto US 127 / Signal Mountain Road
Navigation decision point
5
49.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
|
West 4th Street
Turn left onto West 4th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit West 4th Street Exit
5
51.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
|
Wilcox Boulevard
Turn right onto Wilcox Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
53.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
|
North Chamberlain Avenue
Turn sharp right onto North Chamberlain Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| SR 108 | 23 mi | 34m |
| Suck Creek Road | 14.5 mi | 21m |
| Main Street | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| SR 283 | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| US 27 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Signal Mountain Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Riverside Drive | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| West 4th Street | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
SR 108
— 23 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altamont, TN and East Chattanooga, TN.
1
Start on Cumberland Street
526 ft
·
24 sec
·
Cumberland Street
2
Turn left onto SR 56
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Main Street
3
Turn left onto SR 108
23 mi
·
34 min
·
SR 108
4
Take the ramp
246 ft
·
6 sec
5
Merge onto SR 28
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
SR 28
6
Turn left onto SR 283
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
SR 283
7
Continue on SR 27
15 mi
·
21 min
·
Suck Creek Road
8
At end of road, turn right onto US 127
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Signal Mountain Road
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
10
Merge onto US 27
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
US 27
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit West 4th Street Exit
12
Turn left onto West 4th Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West 4th Street
Exit West 4th Street Exit
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn straight
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
14
Continue on Riverside Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Riverside Drive
15
Turn right onto Wilcox Boulevard
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Wilcox Boulevard
Use the right lane.
16
Turn left onto SR 17
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Dodson Avenue
17
Turn right onto SR 17
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Glass Street
18
Turn sharp right onto North Chamberlain Avenue
52 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Chamberlain Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
North Chamberlain Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your own schedule. Because there are no scheduled stops, be sure to fuel up in Altamont before you head out to ensure you stay within your $8 fuel budget without needing to detour. If you prefer a smoother experience, try to avoid peak traffic hours when transitioning onto Main Street in East Chattanooga. Keep in mind that the longest stretch occurs early on SR 108, so pace yourself accordingly during that initial 23-mile segment. Having your navigation ready before you leave Altamont will help you manage the transition between the various state roads and local streets seamlessly.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 27 miles from Altamont, TN, or about 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23 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 53.9 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 27 miles or 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 8m
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 Altamont, 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 Altamont, TN
This is one driving day of about 53.9 miles and 1h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Altamont, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on SR 108 for about 23 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27 mi from Altamont, TN · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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 53.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27 miles from Altamont, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in East Chattanooga, TN
The final approach into East Chattanooga, TN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around East Chattanooga, TN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.19 one way
$16.37 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $9.03 | $18.05 |
| premium | $4.80 | $10.18 | $20.35 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $11.97 | $23.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.2 | 0 | $5.66 | $2.59 |
| Efficient EV | 13.5 | 0 | $4.72 | $2.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.6 | 0 | $7.55 | $3.45 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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
East Chattanooga, TN
Evening in East Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
8:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 23m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Altamont, TN to East Chattanooga, TN covers 53.9 miles and takes about 1h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are SR 108, Suck Creek Road, Main Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 27 miles from Altamont, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.19 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 53.9 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 28.3 miles (SR 283): Navigation decision point; at 45.4 miles (US 127 / Signal Mountain Road): Navigation decision point; at 49.4 miles (West 4th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Altamont, TN to East Chattanooga, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From East Chattanooga, TN
More trips to East Chattanooga, TN
Explore more options from Altamont, TN or browse trips ending in East Chattanooga, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.
Explore maps for Altamont, TN or East Chattanooga, TN on MapSof.net.