Origin
East Chattanooga, TN
Evening in East Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
6:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from East Chattanooga, TN to Arlington, TN
Drive Time
5h 53m
Distance
316 mi
509 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 41m
★
6 AM
5h 54m
8 AM
6h 20m
10 AM
6h 3m
12 PM
6h 0m
3 PM
6h 4m
5 PM
6h 19m
8 PM
5h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Crossing Tennessee from East Chattanooga to Arlington covers 316 miles of mostly interstate travel. Expect a total drive time of approximately 5 hours and 53 minutes, making this a manageable day trip if you get an early start. You will primarily utilize I-40 and I-24, supplemented by the Tennessee National Guard Parkway, to navigate across the state. Budget roughly $48 for fuel to complete this cross-state journey. Since the route stays entirely within the Southeast region, the driving environment remains consistent as you move from the eastern side of the state toward the Memphis suburbs. Whether you are traveling for business or a visit, this direct path offers a reliable, straightforward connection between these two Tennessee points.
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
158 miles from East Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 59m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with 97% of your travel taking place on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time behind the wheel on high-speed interstates, including a significant 146.4-mile uninterrupted stretch on I-40. Expect a steady, efficient pace as you transition between the major corridors that link East and West Tennessee. While the landscape shifts, the road itself maintains a predictable, fast-moving character that favors time-saving over winding local lanes. Keep your focus sharp during the long interstate segments, as the route is designed for consistent speed and minimal deviations.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 146.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 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 5h 53m drive. You will face about 13 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 111.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 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.
8
111.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
Take the exit toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 74A
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
5
112.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
|
I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge onto I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
166.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 8m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from East Chattanooga, TN to Arlington, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
Franklin
111.8 mi in
|
~2h 8m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 146.4 mi | 2h 37m |
| I 24 | 107.5 mi | 2h |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 53.7 mi | 58m |
| Dodson Avenue | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Forrest Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| North Willow Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Hickory Withe Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| South Kelley Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 146.4 mi, about 2h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Chattanooga, TN and Arlington, 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
108 mi
·
2 hr
·
I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 74A
Toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto I 840
54 mi
·
58 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 40
146 mi
·
2 hr 37 min
·
I 40
Use the none lane.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
14
Turn right onto SR 196
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
SR 196
15
Turn straight onto Hickory Withe Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Hickory Withe Road
16
Continue on Forrest Street
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Forrest Street
17
Arrive at destination
Walker Street
Trip Plan
To keep your 6-hour journey comfortable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the longest stretch is over 146 miles, timing your break around the midpoint of that segment will help you stay alert. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and ensure you reach Arlington before the evening rush. With a $48 fuel budget, check your tank before merging onto I-40 to avoid premium prices at isolated highway stops. Flexibility is an advantage here; since the drive is well within the limits of a single day, you can easily adjust your pace to accommodate weather or traffic conditions along the way.
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 158 miles from East Chattanooga, TN, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.4 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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158 miles or 2h 59m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, 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 316 miles and 5h 53m.
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 I 40 for about 146.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 158 mi from East Chattanooga, TN · 2h 59m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
158 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 158 miles from East Chattanooga, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 146.4 miles.
Arriving in Arlington, TN
The final approach into Arlington, 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 Arlington, TN.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.00 one way
$95.99 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
111 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $52.91 | $105.82 |
| premium | $4.80 | $59.65 | $119.31 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $70.20 | $140.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 94.8 | 1 | $33.18 | $15.17 |
| Efficient EV | 79 | 0 | $27.65 | $12.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 126.4 | 1 | $44.24 | $20.22 |
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Arlington, TN
Evening in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
5:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°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
22 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
5h 53m 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 East Chattanooga, TN to Arlington, TN covers 316 miles and takes about 5h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 24, Tennessee National Guard Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 158 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 $48.00 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 is a straightforward 5h 53m drive. You will face about 13 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 111.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from East Chattanooga, TN to Arlington, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
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