Origin
East Chattanooga, TN
Evening in East Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
7:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from East Chattanooga, TN to Altamont, TN
Drive Time
1h 23m
Distance
54.1 mi
87 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 17m
★
6 AM
1h 24m
8 AM
1h 37m
10 AM
1h 28m
12 PM
1h 27m
3 PM
1h 29m
5 PM
1h 36m
8 PM
1h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Altamont, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from East Chattanooga to Altamont, you can expect a direct 54.1-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 23 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations along the way. With an estimated fuel cost of just $8, it is a budget-friendly option for those exploring the Southeast region of Tennessee. Because the drive is short and efficient, it offers plenty of flexibility for your schedule. You will transition from the urban setting of East Chattanooga toward the higher elevations of Altamont, making it a straightforward connection between these two points.
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
27 miles from East Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 43m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route relies on Cumberland Drive, Suck Creek Road, and SR 56 to navigate the terrain. Only 18% of the trip is spent on highways, so you will spend the vast majority of your time on winding, local surfaces. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs early on, covering 22.2 miles along Cumberland Drive. Expect the road to shift its personality frequently as you transition away from the main highway segments and into more technical driving conditions.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Cumberland Drive is the longest continuous segment at about 22.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SR 17 / Glass Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 54.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 17 / Glass Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 2.1 miles (Riverside Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (Mabel Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SR 17 / Glass Street
Turn sharp left onto SR 17 / Glass Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
2.1 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
Riverside Drive
Turn left onto Riverside Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
3.6 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
Mabel Street
Turn left onto Mabel Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
3.7 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
East 4th Street
Turn right onto East 4th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
4.5 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Cumberland Drive | 22.2 mi | 32m |
| Suck Creek Road | 14.5 mi | 21m |
| SR 56 | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| SR 283 | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| US 27 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Signal Mountain Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Riverside Drive | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Wilcox Boulevard | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Cumberland Drive
— 22.2 mi, about 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Chattanooga, TN and Altamont, TN.
1
Start on North Chamberlain Avenue
52 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Chamberlain Avenue
2
Turn sharp left onto SR 17
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Glass Street
3
Turn left onto SR 17
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Dodson Avenue
4
Turn right onto Wilcox Boulevard
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Wilcox Boulevard
5
Turn left onto Riverside Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Riverside Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Turn straight
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
7
Turn left onto Mabel Street
504 ft
·
10 sec
·
Mabel Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
8
Turn right onto East 4th Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East 4th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto US 27
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
US 27
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward US 127 North: Signal Mountain
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
13
Turn straight onto US 127
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Signal Mountain Road
14
Turn left onto SR 27
15 mi
·
21 min
·
Suck Creek Road
15
Continue on SR 283
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
SR 283
16
Take the ramp
273 ft
·
7 sec
17
Merge onto SR 28
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
SR 28
18
Turn left onto SR 108
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
19
Turn slight left onto SR 108
22 mi
·
32 min
·
Cumberland Drive
20
Turn right onto SR 56
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
SR 56
21
Turn right onto Cumberland Street
526 ft
·
23 sec
·
Cumberland Street
22
Arrive at destination
Cumberland Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the advantage of being able to leave whenever fits your schedule best. You won't need to plan for lengthy rest stops, though it is smart to account for the technical nature of the roads when setting your pace. Keep in mind that with zero scheduled stops provided in the data, you should fuel up before you depart to ensure you stay within your $8 budget. Because the route features many turns, prioritize staying alert and keeping a steady speed rather than rushing through the curves. Planning your departure to avoid peak local traffic will help make the 1 hour and 23-minute transit much more enjoyable.
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 27 miles from East Chattanooga, TN, or about 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22.2 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 54.1 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 27 miles or 43m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Altamont, 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 54.1 miles and 1h 23m.
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 Cumberland Drive for about 22.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27 mi from East Chattanooga, TN · 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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 54.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27 miles from East Chattanooga, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Altamont, TN
The final approach into Altamont, 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 Altamont, 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
$8.22 one way
$16.43 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $9.06 | $18.12 |
| premium | $4.80 | $10.21 | $20.43 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $12.02 | $24.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.2 | 0 | $5.68 | $2.60 |
| Efficient EV | 13.5 | 0 | $4.73 | $2.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.6 | 0 | $7.57 | $3.46 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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
Altamont, TN
Evening in Altamont 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
1h 23m 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 Altamont, TN covers 54.1 miles and takes about 1h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Cumberland Drive, Suck Creek Road, SR 56. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 27 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 $8.22 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 is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 54.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 17 / Glass Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 2.1 miles (Riverside Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (Mabel Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from East Chattanooga, TN to Altamont, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Altamont, TN
More trips to Altamont, TN
Explore more options from East Chattanooga, TN or browse trips ending in Altamont, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.
Explore maps for East Chattanooga, TN or Altamont, TN on MapSof.net.