The drive from Collierville, TN to Chattanooga, TN covers 287.7 miles and takes about 5h 45m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 72, I 565, I 24 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 124 miles on US 72.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.98 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
143.8 miles from Collierville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 55m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 45m. Total distance: 287.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 45m highway drive covering 287.7 miles, with most of the trip on US 72 and I 565. The longest continuous stretch is about 124 miles on US 72.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 124 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
675 ft383 ft
Total Climb
587 ft
Total Descent
295 ft
Highest Point
675 ft
~287.7 mi in
Elevation Range
293 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 72 and I 565. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 23.5 miles in near US 72.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 287.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 23.5 miles (US 72): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 125 miles (US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / Wheeler Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.2 miles (US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / 6th Avenue Northeast): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
23.5 mi into trip|~30m in|US 72
Enter roundabout onto US 72 toward US 72 East: Corinth
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward US 72 East: Corinth
8
125 mi into trip|~2h 32m in|US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / Wheeler Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / Wheeler Highway toward Decatur, Joe Wheeler State Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Decatur, Joe Wheeler State Park
5
162.2 mi into trip|~3h 19m in|US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / 6th Avenue Northeast
Turn left onto US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / 6th Avenue Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
286.2 mi into trip|~5h 42m 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
6
287.5 mi into trip|~5h 44m in|West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Collierville, TN and Chattanooga, TN, road signs point toward Decatur, Joe Wheeler State Park and Huntsville.
Decatur
125 mi in|~2h 32m|via US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Joe Wheeler State Park
125 mi in|~2h 32m|via US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Huntsville
164 mi in|~3h 22m|via US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 72
124 mi
2h 29m
I 565
92.8 mi
1h 46m
I 24
26.2 mi
28m
Joe Wheeler Highway
20.2 mi
24m
US 72 Alternate
8.6 mi
12m
Wheeler Highway
8.4 mi
9m
Huntsville-Decatur Highway
3 mi
3m
6th Avenue Northeast
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 72
— 124 mi, about 2h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Collierville, TN and Chattanooga, TN.
1
Start on North Rowlett Street
321 ft·17 sec·North Rowlett Street
2
Turn left onto North Center Street
0.9 mi·2 min·North Center Street
3
Turn left onto US 72
23 mi·27 min·US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Enter roundabout onto US 72
153 ft·1 sec·US 72
Toward US 72 East: Corinth
5
Continue on US 72
57 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 72
Toward US 72 East: CorinthUse the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 72
0.2 mi·17 sec·US 72
7
Continue on US 72
44 mi·52 min·US 72
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20
8.4 mi·9 min·Wheeler Highway
Toward Decatur, Joe Wheeler State ParkUse the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20
20 mi·24 min·Joe Wheeler Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20
8.6 mi·12 min·US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20
1.8 mi·2 min·6th Avenue Northeast
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on US 72 Alternate; AL 20
3.0 mi·3 min·Huntsville-Decatur Highway
Toward HuntsvilleUse the left lane.
13
Continue on I 565; US 72 Alternate
93 mi·1 hr 46 min·I 565; US 72 Alternate
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I-24 East: Chattanooga
15
Merge onto I 24
26 mi·28 min·I 24
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 184BToward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
17
Continue on US 27
0.7 mi·59 sec·US 27
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 1BToward Downtown
19
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
0.2 mi·29 sec·West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
20
Arrive at destination
TN 8
Trip Plan
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 143.8 miles from Collierville, TN, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 124 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 63 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.8 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chattanooga, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Collierville, 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 Collierville, TN
This is one driving day of about 287.7 miles and 5h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Collierville, 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 124 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 143.8 mi from Collierville, TN
· 2h 55m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.98 one way
$89.96 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$49.38
$98.77
premium
$4.89
$55.37
$110.73
diesel
$5.61
$63.52
$127.04
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: 100.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.3
1
$30.21
$13.81
Efficient EV
71.9
0
$25.17
$11.51
EV Truck/SUV
115.1
1
$40.28
$18.41
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Collierville, TN
Late night
in Collierville on Saturday
Local time
4:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 15 mph49% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Chattanooga, TN
Late night
in Chattanooga on Saturday
Local time
5:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 45m 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 Collierville, TN to Chattanooga, TN covers 287.7 miles and takes about 5h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 72, I 565, 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 143.8 miles from Collierville, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.98 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 287.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 23.5 miles (US 72): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 125 miles (US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / Wheeler Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.2 miles (US 31; US 72 Alternate; AL 20 / 6th Avenue Northeast): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Collierville, TN and Chattanooga, TN, road signs point toward Decatur, Joe Wheeler State Park and Huntsville.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 383 ft to 675 ft elevation with about 587 ft of total climbing.
