Origin
Baxter, TN
Night in Baxter on Sunday
Local time
9:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Baxter, TN to Chattanooga, TN
Drive Time
2h 15m
Distance
104.9 mi
169 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 6m
★
6 AM
2h 15m
8 AM
2h 34m
10 AM
2h 22m
12 PM
2h 20m
3 PM
2h 23m
5 PM
2h 33m
8 PM
2h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Baxter, TN
Kelly
Chattanooga, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Baxter to Chattanooga, you are facing a straightforward 104.9-mile journey across Tennessee. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 15 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. You will navigate primarily via SR 111, Spencer Highway, and US 27, which keeps the navigation relatively simple. Budgeting roughly $16 for fuel should cover your transit costs comfortably. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, you won't experience drastic climate shifts, but the transition from the Upper Cumberland area to the Tennessee River Valley provides a distinct change in scenery. It is a manageable drive that doesn't require an overnight stop, giving you plenty of flexibility to explore once you arrive.
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
52.5 miles from Baxter, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip features a highway-focused profile, with 74% of your total mileage spent on higher-speed roads. You will find a steady rhythm on the pavement, with the longest uninterrupted stretch spanning 30.1 miles along SR 111. While the route relies heavily on major corridors, the transition through Spencer Highway and onto US 27 keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind. Expect a blend of fast-paced highway segments and localized stretches that require a bit more attention. By maintaining a consistent pace, you can easily navigate the transition from the more rural stretches near Baxter into the busier infrastructure approaching Chattanooga.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
SR 111 is the longest continuous segment at about 30.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on SR 111 and Spencer Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 15m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.5 miles (SR 111 / Spencer Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.5 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
9.6 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Take the exit toward TN 111: Livingston, Sparta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TN 111: Livingston, Sparta
4
28.5 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
SR 111 / Spencer Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 111 / Spencer Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
104.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m in
Take the exit toward Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 1A
Toward Downtown
4
104.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m in
|
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Turn straight onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Baxter, TN to Chattanooga, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Sparta along the way.
Sparta
9.6 mi in
|
~14m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| SR 111 | 30.1 mi | 37m |
| Spencer Highway | 24.7 mi | 32m |
| US 27 | 21.2 mi | 25m |
| TN 8 | 12.6 mi | 17m |
| I 40 | 7.9 mi | 8m |
| TN 111 | 5.9 mi | 7m |
| 1st Avenue South | 1.3 mi | 4m |
| West Martin Luther King Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
SR 111
— 30.1 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Baxter, TN and Chattanooga, TN.
1
Start on SR 141
92 ft
·
3 sec
·
Old Baxter Road
2
Turn right onto 1st Avenue South
1.3 mi
·
4 min
·
1st Avenue South
3
Turn right onto SR 56
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Gundy Quarels Memorial Highway
4
Continue on SR 56
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Gainesboro Highway
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
6
Merge onto I 40
7.9 mi
·
8 min
·
I 40
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
Toward TN 111: Livingston, Sparta
8
Turn right onto SR 111
19 mi
·
23 min
·
SR 111
9
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 111
25 mi
·
32 min
·
Spencer Highway
10
Continue on TN 8; TN 111
13 mi
·
17 min
·
TN 8; TN 111
11
Continue on SR 111
11 mi
·
13 min
·
SR 111
12
Continue on TN 111
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
TN 111
13
Merge onto US 27
21 mi
·
25 min
·
US 27
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 1A
Toward Downtown
15
Turn straight onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
16
Arrive at destination
TN 8
Trip Plan
Because the total duration is only 2 hours and 15 minutes, you have the advantage of choosing a departure time that suits your personal schedule without worrying about mid-trip fatigue. You won't need to plan for formal stops, as the trip is short enough to drive in one go, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Baxter to ensure you don't need to hunt for gas along the 104.9-mile path. Since the route relies on a specific sequence of SR 111, Spencer Highway, and US 27, double-check your GPS settings to ensure you stay on these primary roads. My best tip for this specific drive is to keep your navigation app active as you transition onto US 27, as the change in road types can sometimes be easy to miss if you aren't paying close attention to the signage.
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 52.5 miles from Baxter, TN, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.1 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 80 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.5 miles or 1h 9m 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 52m
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 Baxter, 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 Baxter, TN
This is one driving day of about 104.9 miles and 2h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Baxter, 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 111 for about 30.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.5 mi from Baxter, TN · 1h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 52.5 miles from Baxter, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Chattanooga, TN
The final approach into 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 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
$15.93 one way
$31.87 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $17.56 | $35.13 |
| premium | $4.80 | $19.80 | $39.61 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.31 | $46.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.5 | 0 | $11.01 | $5.04 |
| Efficient EV | 26.2 | 0 | $9.18 | $4.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42 | 0 | $14.69 | $6.71 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Chattanooga, TN
Night in Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
10:57 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
2h 15m 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 Baxter, TN to Chattanooga, TN covers 104.9 miles and takes about 2h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are SR 111, Spencer Highway, US 27. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 52.5 miles from Baxter, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.93 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 is a straightforward 2h 15m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.5 miles (SR 111 / Spencer Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Baxter, TN to Chattanooga, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Sparta along the way.
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