Origin
Clifton, TN
Evening in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
6:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clifton, TN to East Chattanooga, TN
Drive Time
3h 57m
Distance
196.8 mi
317 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 45m
★
6 AM
3h 58m
8 AM
4h 23m
10 AM
4h 7m
12 PM
4h 4m
3 PM
4h 8m
5 PM
4h 22m
8 PM
3h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clifton, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 196.8 miles across Tennessee, this drive from Clifton to East Chattanooga is a straightforward trek through the Southeast that typically takes 3 hours and 57 minutes. Because the trip is manageable in a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay, keeping your travel plans simple. You will rely primarily on US 64 and I-24 to navigate between these two points. Budget roughly $30 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick change of scenery, this route offers a reliable connection across the state that avoids the complexity of multi-day planning.
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
98.4 miles from Clifton, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 54m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 79% of your journey takes place on high-speed roads. You will find yourself settling into a steady rhythm, particularly during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 66.8 miles along US 64. The road transitions between these primary thoroughfares, offering a mix of steady highway cruising and local road navigation. Being behind the wheel requires staying alert as you shift from the quieter segments of US 64 onto the heavier traffic patterns found on I-24. It is a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes progress over winding detours.
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 64 is the longest continuous segment at about 66.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 64 and United States Route 64. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 131.9 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 196.8 miles you will encounter 15 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
131.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
147.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m in
|
I 24; US 64 / I 24;US 64
Merge onto I 24; US 64 / I 24;US 64
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
190.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 45m in
Take the exit toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 184B
Toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
5
191.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 47m in
Take the exit toward Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 1B
Toward Downtown
6
192.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 47m in
|
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
| 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 |
Longest stretch:
US 64
— 66.8 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, TN and East Chattanooga, TN.
1
Start on SR 128
75 ft
·
3 sec
·
West Water Street
2
Turn right onto Main Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 641
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Billy Nance Highway West
4
Continue on US 641
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Billy Nance Road
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 64
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Savannah Highway
6
Continue on US 64
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Dexter L Woods Memorial Boulevard
7
Continue on US 64
44 mi
·
50 min
·
United States Route 64
8
Continue on US 64
0.7 mi
·
48 sec
·
West College Street
9
Continue on US 64
67 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
US 64
Use the none lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
11
Keep slight right at fork
184 ft
·
5 sec
12
Turn straight onto US 41A
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Cowan Highway
13
Continue on US 41A
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Cumberland Street West
14
Continue on US 41A
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Sewanee Highway
15
Continue on US 41A
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Sollace M Freeman Highway
16
Continue on US 41A
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Sewanee Highway
17
Continue on US 41A
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
David Crockett Highway
18
Continue on US 41A
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
19
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
20
Merge onto I 24; US 64
44 mi
·
49 min
·
I 24;US 64
Use the none lane.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 184B
Toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
22
Continue on US 27
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
US 27
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 1B
Toward Downtown
24
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
25
Turn left onto Georgia Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Georgia Avenue
26
Turn right onto East 4th Street
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
East 4th Street
27
Turn straight
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
28
Continue on Riverside Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Riverside Drive
29
Turn right onto Wilcox Boulevard
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Wilcox Boulevard
Use the right lane.
30
Turn left onto SR 17
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Dodson Avenue
31
Turn right onto SR 17
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Glass Street
32
Turn sharp right onto North Chamberlain Avenue
52 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Chamberlain Avenue
33
Arrive at destination
North Chamberlain Avenue
Trip Plan
Since the trip takes just under four hours, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to stretch your legs and refresh, as this will help break up the longer highway segments. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Clifton to ensure you stay within your $30 estimated budget. Given that the route is heavily weighted toward highway travel, try to avoid peak commuter hours if you want a smoother experience entering the East Chattanooga area. Having that single planned stop makes the near-four-hour duration much more comfortable.
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 98.4 miles from Clifton, TN, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.8 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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.4 miles or 1h 54m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Chattanooga, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 196.8 miles and 3h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clifton, 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 64 for about 66.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 98.4 mi from Clifton, TN · 1h 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
98 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 98.4 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.
Arriving in East Chattanooga, TN
The final approach into East 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 East Chattanooga, 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
$29.89 one way
$59.78 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
69 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $32.95 | $65.90 |
| premium | $4.80 | $37.15 | $74.30 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $43.72 | $87.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59 | 0 | $20.66 | $9.45 |
| Efficient EV | 49.2 | 0 | $17.22 | $7.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 78.7 | 0 | $27.55 | $12.60 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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
East Chattanooga, TN
Evening in East Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
7:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
21 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 57m 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 Clifton, TN to East Chattanooga, TN covers 196.8 miles and takes about 3h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 64, United States Route 64, I 24. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 98.4 miles from Clifton, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.89 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 196.8 miles you will encounter 15 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: 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.
The route from Clifton, TN to East Chattanooga, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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