Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
59m
Distance
41.9 mi
67 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chattanooga, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Union, TN
Soundarapandian MS
The drive from Chattanooga, TN to Union, TN covers 41.9 miles and takes about 59m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 75, Spring Place Road Southeast, I 24 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 18.4 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.55 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 59m. Total distance: 41.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 59m highway drive covering 41.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and Spring Place Road Southeast. The longest continuous stretch is about 18.4 miles on I 75.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Spring Place Road Southeast. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Market Street.
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 41.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 59m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 7.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.2 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Market Street
Navigation decision point
Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 North: Knoxville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 64 Bypass East: Cleveland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Keep slight left at fork toward US 64 Bypass East: Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 18.4 mi | 22m |
| Spring Place Road Southeast | 8.2 mi | 14m |
| I 24 | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| US 74 | 5.3 mi | 6m |
| Hughes Lake Road Southeast | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| Market Street | 1.2 mi | 3m |
| West Martin Luther King Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Chattanooga, TN and Union, TN.
Start on TN 8
Turn right onto Market Street
Turn left
Merge onto I 24; US 27
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 75
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn right onto US 74
Take the exit
Turn left onto SR 74
Turn slight right onto Hughes Lake Road Southeast
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21 mi from Chattanooga, TN · 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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.
A short stop after about 41.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 21 miles from Chattanooga, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Union, TN if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$6.55 one way
$13.10 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $7.19 | $14.38 |
| premium | $4.89 | $8.06 | $16.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.25 | $18.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.40 | $2.01 |
| Efficient EV | 10.5 | 0 | $3.67 | $1.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.8 | 0 | $5.87 | $2.68 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Chattanooga on Friday
Local time
1:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
Destination
Late night in Union on Friday
Local time
1:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Chattanooga, TN or browse trips ending in Union, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.
