Origin
Chattanooga, TN
Evening in Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
7:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chattanooga, TN to Clifton, TN
Drive Time
3h 50m
Distance
193.8 mi
312 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 38m
★
6 AM
3h 51m
8 AM
4h 17m
10 AM
4h 0m
12 PM
3h 57m
3 PM
4h 1m
5 PM
4h 15m
8 PM
3h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chattanooga, TN
Kelly
Clifton, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 193.8 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Chattanooga to Clifton typically takes about 3 hours and 50 minutes of driving time. Because the journey is manageable within a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stop. Budgeting approximately $29 for fuel will cover your transit across these southeastern reaches of the state. While the route involves a mix of highway and local roads, it remains a straightforward trip for those looking to traverse the region efficiently. You will find this one-day itinerary provides plenty of flexibility, making it a practical choice for a weekend excursion or a direct transit across the state.
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
96.9 miles from Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, transitioning from major thoroughfares to smaller state highways as you move westward. You will start with a 44.7-mile stretch on I-24, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of your journey. With highways accounting for roughly 33% of the total distance, the road experience shifts significantly once you transition onto Lawrenceburg Highway and Pulaski Highway. Expect a varied pace as you leave the interstate, moving from high-speed travel into the more localized rhythm of Tennessee's secondary roads. The physical environment changes noticeably as you navigate these different road types, requiring you to adjust your driving style accordingly.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 31 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 44.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near TN 8 / West Martin Luther King Boulevard.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 193.8 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 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.
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
5
1.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 24
Merge onto I 24
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
46.4 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Take the exit toward 41A: Monteagle, Sewanee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 134
Toward 41A: Monteagle, Sewanee
Towns Along This Route
Between Chattanooga, TN and Clifton, TN, road signs point toward 41A: Monteagle and Sewanee.
41A: Monteagle
46.4 mi in
|
~54m
Sewanee
46.4 mi in
|
~54m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 44.7 mi | 51m |
| Lawrenceburg Highway | 44.4 mi | 50m |
| Pulaski Highway | 31 mi | 35m |
| Winchester Highway | 16.8 mi | 19m |
| David Crockett Highway | 13.6 mi | 15m |
| US 64 | 12.4 mi | 14m |
| Sewanee Highway | 6.8 mi | 10m |
| US 641 | 5.5 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 44.7 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chattanooga, TN and Clifton, 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
45 mi
·
51 min
·
I 24
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 134
Toward 41A: Monteagle, Sewanee
7
Turn slight right
50 ft
·
9 sec
8
Turn left onto US 41A
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
9
Continue on US 41A
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
David Crockett Highway
10
Continue on US 41A
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Sewanee Highway
11
Continue on US 41A
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Sollace M Freeman Highway
12
Continue on US 41A
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Sewanee Highway
13
Continue on US 41A
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Cumberland Street East
14
Continue on US 41A
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Cowan Highway
15
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
16
Merge onto US 64
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Veterans Memorial Drive
17
Continue on US 64
13 mi
·
14 min
·
David Crockett Highway
18
Continue on US 64
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Winchester Highway
Use the none lane.
19
Continue on US 64 Business
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
Mulberry Avenue
20
Continue on US 64 Business
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
College Street East
21
Turn slight right onto US 64 Business
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Morgan Avenue North
22
Continue on US 64 Business
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Street West
23
Continue on US 64
31 mi
·
35 min
·
Pulaski Highway
Use the none lane.
24
Turn left onto US 64
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
·
West College Street
25
Continue on US 64
44 mi
·
50 min
·
Lawrenceburg Highway
26
Continue on US 64
0.8 mi
·
56 sec
·
Dexter L Woods Memorial Boulevard
27
Turn right onto US 64
12 mi
·
14 min
·
US 64
28
Turn right onto US 641
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
US 641
29
Turn right onto Main Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
30
Turn left onto SR 128
75 ft
·
1 sec
·
West Water Street
31
Arrive at destination
SR 128
Trip Plan
Planning for this 193.8-mile trip is simple, as you only need to account for one planned stop to keep your energy up. Aim to depart Chattanooga early in the morning to navigate the initial interstate leg before traffic builds, ensuring you reach Clifton with plenty of daylight left. Since the drive is relatively short, you have the advantage of being able to pace your stop based on your own comfort rather than a strict schedule. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge when exiting the interstate, as service options may become less frequent once you transition to the local highways. Utilizing that $29 fuel budget effectively means topping off before leaving the main interstate corridor to avoid any mid-route concerns.
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 96.9 miles from Chattanooga, TN, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.7 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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.9 miles or 1h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clifton, 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 193.8 miles and 3h 50m.
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 44.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 96.9 mi from Chattanooga, TN · 1h 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
97 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 96.9 miles from Chattanooga, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Clifton, TN
The final approach into Clifton, 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 Clifton, 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
$29.44 one way
$58.87 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $32.45 | $64.90 |
| premium | $4.80 | $36.59 | $73.17 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $43.06 | $86.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.1 | 0 | $20.35 | $9.30 |
| Efficient EV | 48.5 | 0 | $16.96 | $7.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.5 | 0 | $27.13 | $12.40 |
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Clifton, TN
Evening in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
6:24 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 50m 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 Clifton, TN covers 193.8 miles and takes about 3h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 24, Lawrenceburg Highway, Pulaski Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 96.9 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 $29.44 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 193.8 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (TN 8 / West Martin Luther King Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Between Chattanooga, TN and Clifton, TN, road signs point toward 41A: Monteagle and Sewanee.
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