Trip from East Chattanooga, TN to Alexandria, TN

Drive Time

2h 30m

Distance

109.2 mi

176 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 20m ★
6 AM
2h 30m
8 AM
2h 50m
10 AM
2h 37m
12 PM
2h 35m
3 PM
2h 38m
5 PM
2h 49m
8 PM
2h 24m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Alexandria, TN, TN

Alexandria, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

Spanning 109.2 miles between East Chattanooga and Alexandria, this Tennessee trek typically takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete. Because the duration is relatively short, you can easily tackle the entire distance in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $17 on fuel, making this an affordable trip for a weekend getaway or a quick change of scenery. You will navigate a mix of roads including TN 8, Harrison Ferry Road, and SR 111 as you move through the Southeast region. Whether you are heading out for work or leisure, this route offers a straightforward connection between these two points in the state. Plan your schedule around this modest timeframe to ensure you have plenty of flexibility upon your arrival.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

54.6 miles from East Chattanooga, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip offers a mixed driving profile that keeps things interesting behind the wheel. Only 50 percent of the journey involves highway travel, meaning you will spend significant time navigating local roads and secondary routes. You won't find yourself trapped in a monotonous interstate grind, but rather adjusting to the flow of regional traffic. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 12.6-mile segment on TN 8, allowing for brief periods of steady cruising. Transitioning between these different road types requires you to stay alert, as the character of the pavement changes as you progress from the Southeast outskirts into Alexandria.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
TN 8 is the longest continuous segment at about 12.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near SR 17 / Campbell Street.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 109.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.4 miles (SR 17 / Campbell Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles (TN 153): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
0.4 mi into trip | ~0m in | SR 17 / Campbell Street

At end of road, turn left onto SR 17 / Campbell Street

Navigation decision point

5
3.3 mi into trip | ~5m in | TN 153

Merge onto TN 153

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
11.2 mi into trip | ~15m in

Take the exit toward Dayton, Soddy-Daisy

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Dayton, Soddy-Daisy
4
20.9 mi into trip | ~27m in | TN 111

Keep slight left at fork onto TN 111

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

4
72.2 mi into trip | ~1h 34m in | SR 56 / South Chancery Street

Turn right onto SR 56 / South Chancery Street

Navigation decision point

Towns Along This Route

Between East Chattanooga, TN and Alexandria, TN, road signs point toward Dayton and Soddy-Daisy.

Dayton

11.2 mi in | ~15m

Soddy-Daisy

11.2 mi in | ~15m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
TN 8 12.6 mi 17m
Harrison Ferry Road 12.3 mi 17m
SR 111 11.5 mi 13m
Nashville Highway 11.1 mi 16m
Smithville Highway 10.9 mi 15m
US 27 9.3 mi 10m
TN 153 7.9 mi 9m
State Highway 8 7.3 mi 9m
Longest stretch: TN 8 — 12.6 mi, about 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between East Chattanooga, TN and Alexandria, TN.

1

Start on North Chamberlain Avenue

52 ft · 3 sec · North Chamberlain Avenue
2

Turn right onto SR 17

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Glass Street
3

At end of road, turn left onto SR 17

0.6 mi · 1 min · Campbell Street
4

Continue on SR 17

2.0 mi · 3 min · Bonny Oaks Drive
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward TN 153 North
6

Merge onto TN 153

7.9 mi · 9 min · TN 153
Use the straight lane.
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Toward Dayton, Soddy-Daisy
8

Merge onto US 27

9.3 mi · 10 min · US 27
9

Keep slight left at fork onto TN 111

5.9 mi · 6 min · TN 111
10

Continue on SR 111

11 mi · 13 min · SR 111
11

Continue on TN 8; TN 111

13 mi · 17 min · TN 8; TN 111
12

Turn left onto TN 8

7.3 mi · 9 min · State Highway 8
13

Continue on TN 8

12 mi · 17 min · Harrison Ferry Road
14

Turn slight right onto SR 56

1.3 mi · 1 min · Beersheba Highway
15

Continue on SR 56

0.5 mi · 45 sec · East Colville Street
16

Turn right onto SR 56

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Chancery Street
17

Continue on SR 56

11 mi · 15 min · Smithville Highway
18

Continue on SR 56

6.0 mi · 8 min · McMinnville Highway
19

Continue on SR 56

1.8 mi · 2 min · South Congress Boulevard
20

Turn left onto US 70

2.5 mi · 3 min · East Broad Street
21

Continue on US 70

0.7 mi · 1 min · Old Nashville Highway
22

Continue on US 70

0.4 mi · 35 sec · Nashville Highway
23

Continue on US 70

2.0 mi · 3 min · Old Nashville Highway
24

Continue on US 70; SR 96

11 mi · 16 min · Nashville Highway
25

Turn slight right

260 ft · 9 sec
26

Turn straight onto SR 53

231 ft · 10 sec · High Street
27

Continue on High Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · High Street
28

Turn left onto West Main Street

53 ft · 2 sec · West Main Street
29

Arrive at destination

West Main Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 109.2-mile journey, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours, as the mix of local roads can slow your pace during busy periods. Since the drive is short, you have the advantage of total flexibility; you can depart early to maximize your day or take a more relaxed mid-morning start. Even though there are no mandatory stops listed, keep an eye on your fuel gauge early in the drive, as the shift between TN 8, Harrison Ferry Road, and SR 111 may take you through stretches with fewer service options. Remember that with a total fuel cost of around $17, it is easy to budget for this trip in advance. Use the 2-hour and 30-minute travel window to plan your arrival time precisely.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 54.6 miles from East Chattanooga, TN, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 12.6 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 46m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 54.6 miles or 1h 10m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 59m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alexandria, TN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving East Chattanooga, 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 East Chattanooga, TN

This is one driving day of about 109.2 miles and 2h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from East Chattanooga, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on TN 8 for about 12.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 54.6 mi from East Chattanooga, TN · 1h 10m into the drive

Downtown Chattanooga, TN, TN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Chattanooga, TN

55 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.

Popular next leg

Chattanooga, TN to Alexandria, TN

109.9 mi · 2h 28m

Pacing Suggestions

Chattanooga, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Chattanooga, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 54.6 miles from East Chattanooga, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Alexandria, TN

The final approach into Alexandria, 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 Alexandria, 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

$16.59 one way

$33.17 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 38 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $18.28 $36.57
premium $4.80 $20.61 $41.23
diesel $5.64 $24.26 $48.52

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 38.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 32.8 0 $11.47 $5.24
Efficient EV 27.3 0 $9.56 $4.37
EV Truck/SUV 43.7 0 $15.29 $6.99

Gas CO2

38 kg

EV CO2

13 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

East Chattanooga, TN

Evening in East Chattanooga on Sunday

Local time

7:23 PM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Alexandria, TN

Evening in Alexandria on Sunday

Local time

6:23 PM

CDT

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 earlier

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

2h 30m 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 East Chattanooga, TN to Alexandria, TN covers 109.2 miles and takes about 2h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are TN 8, Harrison Ferry Road, SR 111. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 54.6 miles from East Chattanooga, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.59 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 109.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.4 miles (SR 17 / Campbell Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles (TN 153): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between East Chattanooga, TN and Alexandria, TN, road signs point toward Dayton and Soddy-Daisy.

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Return Trip

Alexandria, TN to East Chattanooga, TN

Plan the drive back the other way.

109.3 mi 2h 30m

Explore more options from East Chattanooga, TN or browse trips ending in Alexandria, TN.

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