Origin
Chattanooga, TN
Evening in Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
8:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chattanooga, TN to Bells, TN
Drive Time
5h 2m
Distance
272 mi
438 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 49m
★
6 AM
5h 2m
8 AM
5h 29m
10 AM
5h 12m
12 PM
5h 9m
3 PM
5h 13m
5 PM
5h 28m
8 PM
4h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chattanooga, TN
Kelly
Bells, TN
Ulrick Trappschuh
Trip Overview
Spanning 272 miles across Tennessee, this cross-state journey takes you from Chattanooga to Bells in approximately 5 hours and 2 minutes. Because the drive is manageable within a single day, you likely won't need to book an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Plan for a fuel budget of about $40 to cover your transit between these two Southeastern locations. Navigating the route involves a combination of I-24, I-840 West, and the Tennessee National Guard Parkway. It serves as a straightforward connection across the state, perfect for travelers looking to move efficiently between the Southeast region's distinct corners.
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
136 miles from Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind. While you will utilize major thoroughfares like I-840 West, the route features a 0% highway share, shifting the focus toward more technical road segments. You won't find long, uninterrupted stretches on I-24, as the profile prioritizes local navigation. Be prepared to adjust your speed frequently as you transition between the Parkway and local connectors. This creates a more hands-on driving experience that requires your full attention compared to a standard, straight-line highway trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 104.9 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 1.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 272 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 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 257.6 miles (US 412): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
1.3 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 24: Nashville, Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 24: Nashville, Birmingham
8
106.6 mi into trip
|
~2h in
Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 74A
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
6
257.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 43m in
|
US 412
Take the exit onto US 412 toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 79
Toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
7
257.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 44m in
|
US 412
Keep slight left at fork onto US 412 toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
6
257.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 44m in
|
US 412
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412 toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
Towns Along This Route
Between Chattanooga, TN and Bells, TN, road signs point toward Franklin and Dyersburg.
Franklin
106.6 mi in
|
~2h
Dyersburg
257.6 mi in
|
~4h 43m
|
via US 412
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 104.9 mi | 1h 57m |
| I 40 | 96.4 mi | 1h 43m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 53.7 mi | 58m |
| US 412 | 12.5 mi | 15m |
| US 70A | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| US 27 | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| West Martin Luther King Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| High Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 104.9 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chattanooga, TN and Bells, TN.
1
Start on TN 8
0.3 mi
·
55 sec
·
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Use the left lane.
3
Merge onto US 27
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
US 27
4
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
Toward 24: Nashville, Birmingham
Use the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto I 24
105 mi
·
1 hr 57 min
·
I 24
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 74A
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
Use the right lane.
7
Merge onto I 840
54 mi
·
58 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 40
96 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
I 40
9
Take the exit onto US 412
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
US 412
Exit 79
Toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 412
268 ft
·
6 sec
·
US 412
Toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412
12 mi
·
14 min
·
US 412
Toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
Toward US 70A West, US 79 South: Bells, Brownsville
13
Turn straight onto US 70A; US 79
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
US 70A; US 79
14
Arrive at destination
US 70A; US 79; SR 88
Trip Plan
Since the trip takes roughly 5 hours, leave early in the morning to reach Bells before dark. You have one scheduled stop to build into your itinerary, which is a great opportunity to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep that $40 fuel estimate in mind when planning your budget, as local roads can sometimes impact your vehicle's efficiency compared to cruising on an open interstate. Because this is a single-day trip, enjoy the flexibility of your departure time, but remain mindful of the technical nature of the roads. Prioritize steady pacing to navigate the turn-heavy sections comfortably throughout the drive.
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 136 miles from Chattanooga, TN, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.9 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136 miles or 2h 32m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bells, 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 272 miles and 5h 2m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 24 for about 104.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 136 mi from Chattanooga, TN · 2h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
136 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 136 miles from Chattanooga, 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 104.9 miles.
Arriving in Bells, TN
The final approach into Bells, 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 Bells, 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
$41.31 one way
$82.63 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $45.54 | $91.09 |
| premium | $4.80 | $51.35 | $102.70 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $60.43 | $120.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.6 | 1 | $28.56 | $13.06 |
| Efficient EV | 68 | 0 | $23.80 | $10.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108.8 | 1 | $38.08 | $17.41 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Bells, TN
Evening in Bells on Sunday
Local time
7:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°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
21 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 2m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Chattanooga, TN to Bells, TN covers 272 miles and takes about 5h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 24, I 40, Tennessee National Guard Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 136 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 $41.31 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 272 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 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 257.6 miles (US 412): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Chattanooga, TN and Bells, TN, road signs point toward Franklin and Dyersburg.
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