Origin
Chattanooga, TN
Evening in Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
7:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chattanooga, TN to Germantown, TN
Drive Time
5h 59m
Distance
299.1 mi
481 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 47m
★
6 AM
6h 0m
8 AM
6h 26m
10 AM
6h 9m
12 PM
6h 6m
3 PM
6h 10m
5 PM
6h 25m
8 PM
5h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chattanooga, TN
Kelly
Germantown, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 299.1 miles across Tennessee, this drive from Chattanooga to Germantown typically takes about 5 hours and 59 minutes behind the wheel. Because the route is straightforward and manageable, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $45 for fuel as you navigate primarily via US 72, John T Reid Parkway, and US 72 Alternate. Traveling from the Southeast region toward the western edge of the state, you will find this path serves as a practical, highway-focused connection. It is an efficient way to cross the state, prioritizing speed and accessibility over complex detours. Whether you are moving between these two hubs for business or leisure, the route offers a reliable, no-nonsense itinerary.
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
149.6 miles from Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 55m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a drive defined by its highway-focused nature, with roughly 90% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will face a consistent pace, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 91.5 miles along US 72. The character of the road remains steady, providing a predictable experience rather than a collection of technical or winding local paths. As you transition between the various segments of the route, the road maintains a focus on efficiency, allowing you to settle into a rhythm. This is a practical, steady drive that favors straightforward navigation over the stop-and-go patterns of smaller secondary roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 72 is the longest continuous segment at about 91.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 72 and John T Reid Parkway. 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
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 299.1 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 125.9 miles (US 72 Alternate; AL 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 264.6 miles (US 72): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 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
6
125.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
|
US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
264.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 15m in
|
US 72
Enter roundabout onto US 72 toward US 72 West: Memphis
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward US 72 West: Memphis
8
278.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 31m in
|
US 72
Keep slight left at fork onto US 72 toward Collierville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Collierville, Memphis
8
296 mi into trip
|
~5h 53m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Winchester Road West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Winchester Road West
Towns Along This Route
Between Chattanooga, TN and Germantown, TN, road signs point toward Collierville and Memphis.
Collierville
278.1 mi in
|
~5h 31m
|
via US 72
Memphis
278.1 mi in
|
~5h 31m
|
via US 72
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 72 | 91.5 mi | 1h 49m |
| John T Reid Parkway | 71.9 mi | 1h 22m |
| US 72 Alternate | 59.6 mi | 1h 14m |
| I 24 | 26.4 mi | 29m |
| North Cedar Avenue | 17.8 mi | 20m |
| Highway 72 | 9.5 mi | 12m |
| Bill Morris Parkway | 8.9 mi | 10m |
| Huntsville-Decatur Highway | 3.5 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
US 72
— 91.5 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chattanooga, TN and Germantown, 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
26 mi
·
29 min
·
I 24
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 152A
Toward US 72 West: South Pittsburg
7
Continue on US 72
18 mi
·
20 min
·
North Cedar Avenue
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 72
0.8 mi
·
56 sec
·
Lee Highway
9
Continue on US 72
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
John T Reid Parkway
10
Continue on US 72
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Lee Highway
11
Continue on US 72
70 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
John T Reid Parkway
Use the none lane.
12
Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Huntsville-Decatur Highway
Use the none lane.
13
Continue on US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Bee Line Highway
Use the none lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20
60 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Use the right lane.
15
Continue on US 72
22 mi
·
26 min
·
US 72
Use the none lane.
16
Continue on US 72
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 72
Use the none lane.
17
Continue on US 72
9.5 mi
·
12 min
·
Highway 72
Use the none lane.
18
Continue on US 72
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on US 72
44 mi
·
52 min
·
US 72
Use the none lane.
20
Enter roundabout onto US 72
155 ft
·
1 sec
·
US 72
Toward US 72 West: Memphis
21
Continue on US 72
13 mi
·
15 min
·
US 72
Toward US 72 West: Memphis
Use the none lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 72
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
US 72
Toward Collierville, Memphis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward TN 385 West, To I-240: Memphis
24
Merge onto TN 385
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Bill Morris Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward Winchester Road
Use the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight left at fork
482 ft
·
14 sec
Toward Winchester Road West
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
27
Turn slight left onto Winchester Road
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Winchester Road
28
Turn right onto TN 177
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
South Germantown Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on TN 177
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
West Street
Use the none lane.
30
Continue on North Street
281 ft
·
13 sec
·
North Street
31
Turn right onto South Germantown Road
429 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Germantown Road
32
Turn left onto Southern Avenue
175 ft
·
7 sec
·
Southern Avenue
33
Arrive at destination
Southern Avenue
Trip Plan
To keep your 6-hour journey comfortable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since the route relies heavily on major highways like US 72, traffic volume can vary, so departing early in the morning is a smart way to maximize your daylight hours. With a fuel budget of $45, consider filling up before you hit the longest 91.5-mile stretch to ensure you aren't hunting for a station during the middle of that segment. Because this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on local traffic patterns. Keep a close eye on your navigation for transitions between US 72 and the John T Reid Parkway to avoid missing key junction points.
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 149.6 miles from Chattanooga, TN, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.5 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.6 miles or 2h 55m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Germantown, 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 299.1 miles and 5h 59m.
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 US 72 for about 91.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 149.6 mi from Chattanooga, TN · 2h 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
150 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 149.6 miles from Chattanooga, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 72 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.5 miles.
Arriving in Germantown, TN
The final approach into Germantown, 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 Germantown, 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
$45.43 one way
$90.86 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
105 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $50.08 | $100.16 |
| premium | $4.80 | $56.46 | $112.93 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $66.45 | $132.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 89.7 | 1 | $31.41 | $14.36 |
| Efficient EV | 74.8 | 0 | $26.17 | $11.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 119.6 | 1 | $41.87 | $19.14 |
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% 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
Germantown, TN
Evening in Germantown on Sunday
Local time
6:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°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
2 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 59m 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 Germantown, TN covers 299.1 miles and takes about 5h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 72, John T Reid Parkway, US 72 Alternate. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 149.6 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 $45.43 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 18 significant decision points across 299.1 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 125.9 miles (US 72 Alternate; AL 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 264.6 miles (US 72): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Between Chattanooga, TN and Germantown, TN, road signs point toward Collierville and Memphis.
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