Origin
Chattanooga, TN
Afternoon in Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
4:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chattanooga, TN to Baxter, TN
Drive Time
2h 14m
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 5m
★
6 AM
2h 15m
8 AM
2h 34m
10 AM
2h 21m
12 PM
2h 20m
3 PM
2h 22m
5 PM
2h 33m
8 PM
2h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chattanooga, TN
Kelly
Baxter, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Traveling from Chattanooga to Baxter covers 104.9 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 14 minutes. Since the entire journey stays within Tennessee, you will remain in the Southeast region for the duration of the trip. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it is short enough to avoid the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $16 for fuel to complete the drive. Because there are no mandatory stops listed, you have the flexibility to power through the distance or break it up as you see fit. It is a straightforward, manageable transit that bridges the gap between these two Tennessee locales without requiring a significant time commitment.
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
52.4 miles from Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed-driving experience that shifts as you navigate through the region. With 56% of the route consisting of highway travel, you will spend a good portion of the trip maintaining steady speeds on larger roads. You will utilize a combination of Artillery Road, US 27, and TN 8 to reach your destination. The longest uninterrupted segment you will encounter is a 43.5-mile stretch along Artillery Road, which serves as the primary backbone of your journey. Transitioning between these specific thoroughfares keeps the drive varied rather than monotonous, requiring you to stay alert as you move from highway speeds to the secondary road sections.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Artillery Road is the longest continuous segment at about 43.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near TN 8 / West Martin Luther King Boulevard.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 14m 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: near the start (TN 8 / West Martin Luther King Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.5 miles (TN 111): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 95 miles: Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
TN 8 / West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Depart onto TN 8 / West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
21.5 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
TN 111
Keep slight left at fork onto TN 111
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
95 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
5
103.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
Take the exit toward TN 56 North: Baxter, Gainesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TN 56 North: Baxter, Gainesboro
4
103.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
|
SR 56 / Gundy Quarels Memorial Highway
Turn right onto SR 56 / Gundy Quarels Memorial Highway
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Artillery Road | 43.5 mi | 56m |
| US 27 | 20.6 mi | 24m |
| TN 8 | 12.6 mi | 17m |
| SR 111 | 11.5 mi | 13m |
| I 40 | 7.9 mi | 8m |
| TN 111 | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| 1st Avenue South | 1.3 mi | 4m |
| West Martin Luther King Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Artillery Road
— 43.5 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chattanooga, TN and Baxter, TN.
1
Start on TN 8
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Take the ramp
0.7 mi
·
1 min
3
Merge onto US 27
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US 27
4
Keep slight left at fork onto TN 111
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
TN 111
5
Continue on SR 111
11 mi
·
13 min
·
SR 111
6
Continue on TN 8; TN 111
13 mi
·
17 min
·
TN 8; TN 111
7
Continue on SR 111
44 mi
·
56 min
·
Artillery Road
8
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
9
Merge onto I 40
7.9 mi
·
8 min
·
I 40
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward TN 56 North: Baxter, Gainesboro
11
Turn right onto SR 56
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Gundy Quarels Memorial Highway
12
Turn left onto 1st Avenue South
1.3 mi
·
4 min
·
1st Avenue South
13
Turn left onto SR 141
92 ft
·
1 sec
·
Old Baxter Road
14
Arrive at destination
SR 141
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short drive of just over two hours, you have plenty of freedom regarding your departure time. Aim to leave during off-peak hours if you prefer a quieter road, though the lack of scheduled stops means you can easily adjust your pace to suit your personal schedule. Keep in mind that since the longest leg is 43.5 miles, you should plan your fuel stops or rest breaks before hitting that stretch to avoid any mid-drive stress. Since you are looking at a $16 fuel estimate, filling up before you leave Chattanooga is a smart way to ensure you have enough range for the entire 104.9-mile trip. Use the flexibility of the short duration to your advantage by keeping your itinerary light and open.
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 52.4 miles from Chattanooga, TN, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.5 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 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.4 miles or 1h 5m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Baxter, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chattanooga, 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 Chattanooga, TN
This is one driving day of about 104.9 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Chattanooga, 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 Artillery Road for about 43.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.4 mi from Chattanooga, TN · 1h 5m 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 52.4 miles from Chattanooga, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Baxter, TN
The final approach into Baxter, 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 Baxter, 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
Baxter, TN
Afternoon in Baxter on Sunday
Local time
3:41 PM
CDT
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 earlier
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 14m 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 Chattanooga, TN to Baxter, TN covers 104.9 miles and takes about 2h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Artillery Road, US 27, TN 8. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 52.4 miles from Chattanooga, 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 14m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (TN 8 / West Martin Luther King Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.5 miles (TN 111): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 95 miles: Navigation decision point.
The route from Chattanooga, TN to Baxter, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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