Dandridge, TN to East Chattanooga, TN is 136.2 miles and takes about 2h 38m via I 75 and I 40, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Southeast region, primarily traversing Tennessee. Expect a highway-focused journey that gets you to your destination efficiently. With a recommended one-day trip, you'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a straightforward option for a quick transit between these two points.
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
68.1 miles from Dandridge, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
77.1 mi
1h 23m
I 40
46.8 mi
52m
Bonny Oaks Drive
6.5 mi
11m
US 25W
3.1 mi
4m
West Meeting Street
0.6 mi
1m
Campbell Street
0.6 mi
1m
US 11
0.5 mi
1m
Glass Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 77.1 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dandridge, TN and East Chattanooga, TN.
1
Start on East Main Street
74 ft·7 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn right onto SR 92
525 ft·16 sec·Chestnut Hill Road
3
Turn left onto US 25W; US 70; SR 92
0.6 mi·1 min·West Meeting Street
4
Turn left onto US 25W; US 70
3.1 mi·4 min·US 25W; US 70
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
6
Merge onto I 40
47 mi·52 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
77 mi·1 hr 23 min·I 75
Toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
8
Take the exit onto US 11; US 64; SR 317
0.2 mi·44 sec·US 11; US 64; SR 317
Toward Secondary SR 317 West, US 11 South, US 64 West: Bonny Oaks Drive, Old Lee HighwayUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 11; US 64; SR 317
0.2 mi·24 sec·US 11; US 64; SR 317
10
Continue on TN 317
4.8 mi·8 min·Bonny Oaks Drive
11
Continue on SR 17
1.8 mi·3 min·Bonny Oaks Drive
12
Continue on SR 17
0.6 mi·1 min·Campbell Street
13
Turn right onto SR 17
0.3 mi·38 sec·Glass Street
14
Turn left onto North Chamberlain Avenue
52 ft·1 sec·North Chamberlain Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
North Chamberlain Avenue
Trip Plan
Given this is a single-day trip of just over 2.5 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with departure times. Leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive well before evening, giving you ample time to settle in. There's only one recommended stop along the way, so you can decide if you need a break or prefer to push through. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before the 77.1-mile stretch on I 75, to ensure you have enough to comfortably complete that segment.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.1 miles from Dandridge, TN, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.1 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 30 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.1 miles or 1h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 5m
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 Dandridge, 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 Dandridge, TN
This is one driving day of about 136.2 miles and 2h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Dandridge, 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 I 75 for about 77.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 128.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|SR 92 / Chestnut Hill Road
Turn right onto SR 92 / Chestnut Hill Road
Navigation decision point
5
4.2 mi into trip|~7m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
51 mi into trip|~59m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
7
128.2 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|US 11; US 64; SR 317
Take the exit onto US 11; US 64; SR 317 toward Secondary SR 317 West, US 11 South, US 64 West: Bonny Oaks Drive, Old Lee Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Secondary SR 317 West, US 11 South, US 6...
5
128.4 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|US 11; US 64; SR 317
Keep slight right at fork onto US 11; US 64; SR 317
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.29 one way
$42.59 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$23.38
$46.76
premium
$4.89
$26.21
$52.42
diesel
$5.61
$30.07
$60.14
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
2 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: fair
Mercedes-Benz Charging Station
Kodak, Tennessee
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Kodak, Tennessee
Tesla
1 DCFC
Other: 1
Tesla: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.9
0
$14.30
$6.54
Efficient EV
34.1
0
$11.92
$5.45
EV Truck/SUV
54.5
0
$19.07
$8.72
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Dandridge, TN
Afternoon
in Dandridge on Saturday
Local time
4:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
East Chattanooga, TN
Afternoon
in East Chattanooga on Saturday
Local time
4:44 PM
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
38 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 38m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
National Park
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 9.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 94% of the journey on interstates. You'll experience a significant stretch of 77.1 miles on I 75 without needing to exit, indicating long, uninterrupted periods of driving. The profile suggests a consistent interstate experience for the majority of the trip, meaning you'll likely encounter typical highway conditions and speeds. While the data doesn't specify scenic changes, the focus on major highways implies a practical rather than scenic transit.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 77.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 40. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SR 92 / Chestnut Hill Road.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 38m drive. You will face about 10 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 (SR 92 / Chestnut Hill Road): Navigation decision point; at 4.2 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 51 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dandridge, TN and East Chattanooga, TN, road signs point toward Secondary Sr 317 West and Old Lee Highway.
Secondary Sr 317 West
128.2 mi in|~2h 23m|via US 11; US 64; SR 317
Old Lee Highway
128.2 mi in|~2h 23m|via US 11; US 64; SR 317
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 38m. Total distance: 136.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The drive from Dandridge, TN to East Chattanooga, TN covers 136.2 miles and takes about 2h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, I 40, Bonny Oaks Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 68.1 miles from Dandridge, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.29 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 2h 38m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 92 / Chestnut Hill Road): Navigation decision point; at 4.2 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 51 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Between Dandridge, TN and East Chattanooga, TN, road signs point toward Secondary Sr 317 West and Old Lee Highway.
