Origin
East Chattanooga, TN
Evening in East Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
6:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from East Chattanooga, TN to Ardmore, TN
Drive Time
2h 42m
Distance
129.9 mi
209 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 32m
★
6 AM
2h 43m
8 AM
3h 4m
10 AM
2h 50m
12 PM
2h 48m
3 PM
2h 51m
5 PM
3h 3m
8 PM
2h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ardmore, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from East Chattanooga to Ardmore, you are looking at a 129.9-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 42 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it doesn't require an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the John T Reid Parkway, I-24, and the Ardmore Highway to complete your transit across the Southeast. With an estimated fuel cost of $20, this is a budget-friendly option for those traveling within Tennessee. Whether you are heading out for business or visiting family, the trip is straightforward enough to handle in one go without feeling overly fatigued.
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
64.9 miles from East Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is largely highway-focused, with 65% of your time spent on major roads. You will settle into a rhythm early on, covering your longest uninterrupted stretch of 50.2 miles on the John T Reid Parkway. The transition from the interstate segments to the Ardmore Highway offers a change in pace as you move toward your destination. Expect a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes speed over winding backroads. Staying focused during the highway portions is key, as the character of the road remains consistent for the majority of the 129.9-mile trek.
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.
John T Reid Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 50.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on John T Reid Parkway and I 24. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SR 17 / Glass Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 42m drive. You will face about 12 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 17 / Glass Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 4.3 miles (I 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 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
4.3 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 24
Merge onto I 24
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
33.2 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Take the exit toward US 72 West: South Pittsburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 152A
Toward US 72 West: South Pittsburg
5
104.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
|
US 72
Take the exit onto US 72 toward US 72 West: Athens
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 21
Toward US 72 West: Athens
8
104.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
|
US 72
Keep slight right at fork onto US 72 toward US 72 West: Athens
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 21
Toward US 72 West: Athens
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| John T Reid Parkway | 50.2 mi | 59m |
| I 24 | 29 mi | 32m |
| Ardmore Highway | 19.5 mi | 28m |
| North Cedar Avenue | 17.8 mi | 20m |
| US 72 | 4.7 mi | 8m |
| Lee Highway | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| Dodson Avenue | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Jordan Lane Northwest | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
John T Reid Parkway
— 50.2 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Chattanooga, TN and Ardmore, 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
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Dodson Avenue
4
Turn right onto SR 17
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
East 3rd Street
5
Turn left onto SR 17
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Willow Street
6
Turn left onto US 41; US 76
356 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Main Street
7
Turn right onto South Kelley Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Kelley Street
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
9
Merge onto I 24
29 mi
·
32 min
·
I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 152A
Toward US 72 West: South Pittsburg
11
Continue on US 72
18 mi
·
20 min
·
North Cedar Avenue
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 72
0.8 mi
·
56 sec
·
Lee Highway
13
Continue on US 72
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
John T Reid Parkway
14
Continue on US 72
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Lee Highway
15
Continue on US 72
48 mi
·
56 min
·
John T Reid Parkway
16
Take the exit onto US 72
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
US 72
Exit 21
Toward US 72 West: Athens
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 72
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
US 72
Exit 21
Toward US 72 West: Athens
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto AL 53
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Jordan Lane Northwest
19
Continue on AL 53
20 mi
·
28 min
·
Ardmore Highway
Use the none lane.
20
Arrive at destination
TN 7
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though planning for one stop will help you stay fresh behind the wheel. Budgeting $20 for fuel should cover your needs, but it is always smart to top off before leaving East Chattanooga to avoid unnecessary detours. Because the route relies heavily on major thoroughfares like I-24, keep an eye on local traffic reports to avoid peak congestion. Use your single planned stop as a chance to stretch your legs after the long 50.2-mile stretch on the parkway. Keeping your pace steady throughout the 2-hour and 42-minute drive will ensure you reach Ardmore without needing to rush.
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 64.9 miles from East Chattanooga, TN, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.2 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.9 miles or 1h 17m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ardmore, 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 129.9 miles and 2h 42m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on John T Reid Parkway for about 50.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 64.9 mi from East Chattanooga, TN · 1h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
65 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 64.9 miles from East Chattanooga, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ardmore, TN
The final approach into Ardmore, 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 Ardmore, 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
$19.73 one way
$39.46 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $21.75 | $43.50 |
| premium | $4.80 | $24.52 | $49.04 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $28.86 | $57.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39 | 0 | $13.64 | $6.24 |
| Efficient EV | 32.5 | 0 | $11.37 | $5.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52 | 0 | $18.19 | $8.31 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Ardmore, TN
Evening in Ardmore on Sunday
Local time
5:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°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
20 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 42m 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 Ardmore, TN covers 129.9 miles and takes about 2h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are John T Reid Parkway, I 24, Ardmore Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 64.9 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 $19.73 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 42m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SR 17 / Glass Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 4.3 miles (I 24): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from East Chattanooga, TN to Ardmore, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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