Origin
Burns, TN
Evening in Burns on Sunday
Local time
5:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Burns, TN to Chattanooga, TN
Drive Time
3h 10m
Distance
166.8 mi
268 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 58m
★
6 AM
3h 10m
8 AM
3h 34m
10 AM
3h 18m
12 PM
3h 16m
3 PM
3h 20m
5 PM
3h 32m
8 PM
3h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Burns, TN
ArtHouse Studio
Chattanooga, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Traveling from Burns to Chattanooga covers 166.8 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 10 minutes. Because this trip is comfortably manageable in a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major thoroughfares, as 99% of this route consists of highway driving. Budget approximately $25 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Southeast Tennessee destinations. It is a straightforward, functional journey that serves as a reliable link between the regions, perfect for travelers who prioritize efficiency over wandering backroads.
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
83.4 miles from Burns, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, prioritizing speed and directness over winding scenic routes. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-40, I-24, and Highway 96 as you navigate toward your destination. The most significant portion of the drive is a 125.4-mile stretch along I-24, which will require your focus for the majority of the time behind the wheel. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience that stays true to its 99% highway composition. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that gets you from point A to point B with minimal deviation.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 24 is the longest continuous segment at about 125.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near SR 96 / Highway 96.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 166.8 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 0.2 miles (SR 96 / Highway 96): Navigation decision point; at 8.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 31.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SR 96 / Highway 96
At end of road, turn left onto SR 96 / Highway 96
Navigation decision point
5
8.3 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward I 40 East: Nashville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 40 East: Nashville
7
31.9 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Take the exit toward I 440 East: Knoxville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 206
Toward I 440 East: Knoxville
7
39.3 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
6
166.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m in
|
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 125.4 mi | 2h 19m |
| I 40 | 23.5 mi | 25m |
| Highway 96 | 8 mi | 11m |
| Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway | 7 mi | 8m |
| US 27 | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Church Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Martin Luther King Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 125.4 mi, about 2h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burns, TN and Chattanooga, TN.
1
Start on SR 47
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Church Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto SR 96
8.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Highway 96
3
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 40 East: Nashville
4
Merge onto I 40
23 mi
·
25 min
·
I 40
Use the none lane.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 206
Toward I 440 East: Knoxville
Use the slight right lane.
6
Continue on I 440
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 24
125 mi
·
2 hr 19 min
·
I 24
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 184B
Toward 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 1B
Toward Downtown
12
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
13
Arrive at destination
TN 8
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is just over three hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule to avoid peak traffic. Plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to break up the 166.8-mile transit and keep your energy levels steady. Given that the longest uninterrupted leg is 125.4 miles on I-24, try to time your break before hitting that stretch to ensure you stay alert. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the interstate portions to ensure you don't dip into your $25 budget prematurely. Taking advantage of the single-day timeline allows you to arrive in Chattanooga refreshed and ready for your next activity.
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 83.4 miles from Burns, TN, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 125.4 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.4 miles or 1h 36m 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 35m
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 Burns, 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 Burns, TN
This is one driving day of about 166.8 miles and 3h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Burns, 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 125.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.4 mi from Burns, TN · 1h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 83.4 miles from Burns, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 125.4 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.34 one way
$50.67 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $27.93 | $55.86 |
| premium | $4.80 | $31.49 | $62.98 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $37.06 | $74.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50 | 0 | $17.51 | $8.01 |
| Efficient EV | 41.7 | 0 | $14.60 | $6.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.7 | 0 | $23.35 | $10.68 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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
Evening in Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
6:26 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
21 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
3h 10m 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 Burns, TN to Chattanooga, TN covers 166.8 miles and takes about 3h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 24, I 40, Highway 96. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.4 miles from Burns, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.34 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 166.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (SR 96 / Highway 96): Navigation decision point; at 8.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 31.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Burns, TN to Chattanooga, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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