Origin
Chattanooga, TN
Afternoon in Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
4:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chattanooga, TN to Lafayette, TN
Drive Time
2h 21m
Distance
111.4 mi
179 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 12m
★
6 AM
2h 22m
8 AM
2h 41m
10 AM
2h 28m
12 PM
2h 26m
3 PM
2h 29m
5 PM
2h 40m
8 PM
2h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chattanooga, TN
Kelly
Lafayette, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Chattanooga to Lafayette, you are looking at a straightforward 111.4-mile journey across Tennessee. You can expect to spend about 2 hours and 21 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable single-day outing. Budgeting roughly $17 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Since the drive remains entirely within the state, you won't need to worry about crossing regional boundaries or adjusting for time zone changes. It serves as an efficient connection between these two Southeast locations, providing a clear path if you are looking to get from point A to point B without any necessary overnight stays.
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
55.7 miles from Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip offers a mixed driving profile that keeps things interesting as you transition between road types. You will spend about 52% of your time on highways, balancing faster stretches with the local feel of TN 8 and US 27. The most significant portion of your journey involves a 43.5-mile stretch along Artillery Road, which serves as your longest uninterrupted segment. Because the route relies on a combination of Artillery Road, US 27, and TN 8, you should be prepared for changing road conditions rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Expect a practical driving experience that shifts gears as you navigate toward your destination.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 13 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 21m drive. You will face about 8 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 8 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
105.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m in
|
US 70N / Nashville Highway
Turn left onto US 70N / Nashville Highway
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Chattanooga, TN to Lafayette, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Gainesboro along the way.
Gainesboro
103.3 mi in
|
~2h 9m
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 |
| Nashville Highway | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| Gundy Quarels Memorial Highway | 2.3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Artillery Road
— 43.5 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chattanooga, TN and Lafayette, 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
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Gundy Quarels Memorial Highway
12
Turn left onto US 70N
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Nashville Highway
13
Arrive at destination
US 70N; SR 96
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move. With no mandatory stops built into the 2 hour and 21 minute duration, you can easily handle the drive in one go without feeling rushed. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before starting, especially as you head into the segments involving Artillery Road. Since the route is just over 111 miles, you don't need to overthink your pacing; simply take a break if you feel the need to stretch your legs. Keeping your vehicle prepared for a consistent, mixed-road drive will ensure you reach Lafayette without any unnecessary stress.
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 55.7 miles from Chattanooga, TN, or about 1h 9m 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 55.7 miles or 1h 9m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lafayette, 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 111.4 miles and 2h 21m.
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 55.7 mi from Chattanooga, TN · 1h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
56 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 55.7 miles from Chattanooga, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lafayette, TN
The final approach into Lafayette, 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 Lafayette, 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
$16.92 one way
$33.84 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $18.65 | $37.31 |
| premium | $4.80 | $21.03 | $42.06 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $24.75 | $49.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.4 | 0 | $11.70 | $5.35 |
| Efficient EV | 27.9 | 0 | $9.75 | $4.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.6 | 0 | $15.60 | $7.13 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (67% 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
Lafayette, TN
Afternoon in Lafayette on Sunday
Local time
3:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
1 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
2h 21m 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 Lafayette, TN covers 111.4 miles and takes about 2h 21m 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 55.7 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 $16.92 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 21m drive. You will face about 8 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.
On the drive from Chattanooga, TN to Lafayette, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Gainesboro along the way.
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