Origin
Clifton, TN
Evening in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
7:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
3h 48m
Distance
192.3 mi
309 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clifton, TN
Kelly
Chattanooga, TN
Kelly
Traveling from Clifton to Chattanooga covers 192.3 miles of Tennessee landscape, a journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 48 minutes behind the wheel. Because the route is highway-focused, you can comfortably complete the entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $29 for fuel for this one-way excursion. You will be traveling entirely within the Southeast region, moving from the smaller community of Clifton toward the major urban hub of Chattanooga. This trip offers a straightforward, efficient path that is ideal for those who prefer a direct drive over a winding, multi-day adventure.
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
96.2 miles from Clifton, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
With 81% of your journey spent on highways, this drive is built for steady cruising rather than technical maneuvering. You will rely primarily on US 64 and I-24 to navigate across the state. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 66.8-mile segment on US 64, allowing you to settle into a consistent pace early on. As you transition from the local roads onto the interstate, the personality of the drive shifts from a quieter, regional highway feel to the higher-traffic rhythm of the I-24 corridor. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that prioritizes efficiency as you head toward your destination.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 64 and United States Route 64. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 131.9 miles in.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 192.3 miles you will encounter 9 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: at 131.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 147.1 miles (I 24; US 64 / I 24;US 64): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 190.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Merge onto I 24; US 64 / I 24;US 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Take the exit toward Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 64 | 66.8 mi | 1h 17m |
| United States Route 64 | 44.4 mi | 50m |
| I 24 | 43.7 mi | 49m |
| Savannah Highway | 12.4 mi | 14m |
| Sewanee Highway | 6.8 mi | 10m |
| Billy Nance Road | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| Cumberland Street West | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Sollace M Freeman Highway | 2 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, TN and Chattanooga, TN.
Start on SR 128
Turn right onto Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 641
Continue on US 641
At end of road, turn left onto US 64
Continue on US 64
Continue on US 64
Continue on US 64
Continue on US 64
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto US 41A
Continue on US 41A
Continue on US 41A
Continue on US 41A
Continue on US 41A
Continue on US 41A
Continue on US 41A
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 24; US 64
Take the exit
Continue on US 27
Take the exit
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Arrive at destination
Since this is a manageable day trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Planning for at least one stop is recommended to break up the nearly four-hour duration and keep your focus sharp. Given the length of the longest stretch on US 64, make sure to fuel up or address any immediate needs before committing to that 66.8-mile section. Because the drive is relatively short, you can easily adjust your pace to accommodate traffic or weather conditions without falling behind. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, keeping the $29 budget in mind, and you will find this route a straightforward experience.
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.
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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.2 miles or 1h 51m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chattanooga, TN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Clifton, 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 Clifton, TN
This is one driving day of about 192.3 miles and 3h 48m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 96.2 mi from Clifton, TN · 1h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
96 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 96.2 miles from Clifton, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.8 miles.
The final approach into Chattanooga, 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 Chattanooga, TN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$29.21 one way
$58.42 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $32.20 | $64.40 |
| premium | $4.80 | $36.30 | $72.60 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $42.72 | $85.44 |
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: 67.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.7 | 0 | $20.19 | $9.23 |
| Efficient EV | 48.1 | 0 | $16.83 | $7.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76.9 | 0 | $26.92 | $12.31 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Evening in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
7:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
8:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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