Origin
Chattanooga, TN
Evening in Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
8:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chattanooga, TN to Burns, TN
Drive Time
3h 12m
Distance
168.2 mi
271 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 1m
★
6 AM
3h 13m
8 AM
3h 36m
10 AM
3h 21m
12 PM
3h 19m
3 PM
3h 22m
5 PM
3h 35m
8 PM
3h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chattanooga, TN
Kelly
Burns, TN
ArtHouse Studio
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Chattanooga to Burns, you are facing a straightforward 168.2-mile journey across Tennessee. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 12 minutes on the road, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $26, the route is economically efficient for most travelers. Because you will be navigating within the Southeast region for the entire duration, you can anticipate consistent terrain throughout the drive. This trip is best suited for those who prefer to reach their destination in one go rather than breaking it into multiple days. It is a practical, efficient connection between these two points that avoids unnecessary complexity.
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
84.1 miles from Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a drive dominated by high-speed travel, as 98% of this route takes place on major highways. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-24 and I-40, with a final transition onto Highway 96 to reach your destination. The experience is defined by a significant 126.3-mile stretch on I-24, which serves as the core of your journey. While this highway-focused profile ensures a quick pace, it offers the monotonous, steady rhythm typical of interstate travel. Transitioning from the heavy flow of the interstates to the local roads near the end of the trip provides a noticeable shift in pace as you approach Burns.
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 126.3 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 0.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 168.2 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 0.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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
7
128 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 440 West: Memphis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 53
Toward I 440 West: Memphis
7
135.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
8
160.1 mi into trip
|
~3h in
Take the exit toward SR 96: Fairview, Dickson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 182
Toward SR 96: Fairview, Dickson
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 126.3 mi | 2h 20m |
| I 40 | 23.7 mi | 25m |
| Highway 96 | 7.7 mi | 11m |
| Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway | 7.1 mi | 8m |
| US 27 | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| West Martin Luther King Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Church Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 126.3 mi, about 2h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chattanooga, TN and Burns, 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
126 mi
·
2 hr 20 min
·
I 24
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 53
Toward I 440 West: Memphis
Use the slight right lane.
7
Continue on I 440
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
Toward I 40 West: Memphis
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 40
24 mi
·
25 min
·
I 40
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 182
Toward SR 96: Fairview, Dickson
Use the right lane.
11
Turn left onto SR 96
7.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Highway 96
12
Turn right onto Church Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Church Street
13
Arrive at destination
SR 47
Trip Plan
To keep your travel smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs during the 3-hour and 12-minute transit. Since the majority of your time is spent on I-24 and I-40, check traffic reports for these main arteries before departing to avoid potential congestion. Given that the fuel cost is roughly $26, filling up your tank in Chattanooga before you hit the interstate is a smart way to manage your expenses. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule, though avoiding peak commuter hours on the interstates is always a wise strategy. Keep your focus sharp during the long 126.3-mile stretch on I-24 to maintain consistent progress.
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 84.1 miles from Chattanooga, TN, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 126.3 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 84.1 miles or 1h 34m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burns, 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 168.2 miles and 3h 12m.
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 126.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 84.1 mi from Chattanooga, TN · 1h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 84.1 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 126.3 miles.
Arriving in Burns, TN
The final approach into Burns, 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 Burns, 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
$25.55 one way
$51.10 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $28.16 | $56.33 |
| premium | $4.80 | $31.75 | $63.51 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $37.37 | $74.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.9 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 | 50.5 | 0 | $17.66 | $8.07 |
| Efficient EV | 42.1 | 0 | $14.72 | $6.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.3 | 0 | $23.55 | $10.76 |
Gas CO2
59 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
Burns, TN
Evening in Burns on Sunday
Local time
7:29 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
3h 12m 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 Burns, TN covers 168.2 miles and takes about 3h 12m 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 84.1 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 $25.55 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 11 significant decision points across 168.2 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 0.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Chattanooga, TN to Burns, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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