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 Clifton, TN
Drive Time
3h 59m
Distance
198.9 mi
320 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 47m
★
6 AM
4h 0m
8 AM
4h 26m
10 AM
4h 9m
12 PM
4h 6m
3 PM
4h 10m
5 PM
4h 24m
8 PM
3h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clifton, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Traveling from East Chattanooga to Clifton covers 198.9 miles across Tennessee, making for a manageable journey that takes approximately 3 hours and 59 minutes. Because this is a single-day trip, you can easily complete the drive in one go without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget about $30 for fuel to cover the distance, which remains consistent across the Southeast region. The route utilizes a mix of major interstates and secondary highways, offering a practical way to traverse the state. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a weekend change of scenery, this trip provides a straightforward path that balances highway speed with local road travel.
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
99.5 miles from East Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a varied driving experience that shifts from high-speed interstate transit to more localized highway travel. You will spend roughly 33% of your time on highways, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 47.4 miles on I-24. After navigating the initial interstate section, the route transitions onto the Pulaski and Lawrenceburg Highways, which changes the pace of the drive significantly. This mixed-profile route requires you to be comfortable switching between heavier traffic lanes and quieter, secondary roads. It is a functional drive that keeps you engaged as the landscape evolves from the urban feel of East Chattanooga toward the more rural surroundings of Clifton.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 24 is the longest continuous segment at about 47.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 3h 59m drive. You will face about 17 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 2.2 miles (SR 17 / East 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (SR 17 / North Willow Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 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
4
2.2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
SR 17 / East 3rd Street
Turn right onto SR 17 / East 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
4
2.3 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
SR 17 / North Willow Street
Turn left onto SR 17 / North Willow Street
Navigation decision point
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.
6
51.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
Take the exit toward 41A: Monteagle, Sewanee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 134
Toward 41A: Monteagle, Sewanee
Towns Along This Route
Between East Chattanooga, TN and Clifton, TN, road signs point toward 41A: Monteagle and Sewanee.
41A: Monteagle
51.6 mi in
|
~1h 2m
Sewanee
51.6 mi in
|
~1h 2m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 47.4 mi | 54m |
| Lawrenceburg Highway | 44.4 mi | 50m |
| Pulaski Highway | 31 mi | 35m |
| Winchester Highway | 16.8 mi | 19m |
| David Crockett Highway | 13.6 mi | 15m |
| US 64 | 12.4 mi | 14m |
| Sewanee Highway | 6.8 mi | 10m |
| US 641 | 5.5 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 47.4 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Chattanooga, TN and Clifton, 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
47 mi
·
54 min
·
I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 134
Toward 41A: Monteagle, Sewanee
11
Turn slight right
50 ft
·
9 sec
12
Turn left onto US 41A
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
13
Continue on US 41A
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
David Crockett Highway
14
Continue on US 41A
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Sewanee Highway
15
Continue on US 41A
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Sollace M Freeman Highway
16
Continue on US 41A
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Sewanee Highway
17
Continue on US 41A
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Cumberland Street East
18
Continue on US 41A
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Cowan Highway
19
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
20
Merge onto US 64
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Veterans Memorial Drive
21
Continue on US 64
13 mi
·
14 min
·
David Crockett Highway
22
Continue on US 64
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Winchester Highway
Use the none lane.
23
Continue on US 64 Business
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
Mulberry Avenue
24
Continue on US 64 Business
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
College Street East
25
Turn slight right onto US 64 Business
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Morgan Avenue North
26
Continue on US 64 Business
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Street West
27
Continue on US 64
31 mi
·
35 min
·
Pulaski Highway
Use the none lane.
28
Turn left onto US 64
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
·
West College Street
29
Continue on US 64
44 mi
·
50 min
·
Lawrenceburg Highway
30
Continue on US 64
0.8 mi
·
56 sec
·
Dexter L Woods Memorial Boulevard
31
Turn right onto US 64
12 mi
·
14 min
·
US 64
32
Turn right onto US 641
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
US 641
33
Turn right onto Main Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
34
Turn left onto SR 128
75 ft
·
1 sec
·
West Water Street
35
Arrive at destination
SR 128
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is key to keeping this four-hour trip stress-free, so aim to leave early to avoid mid-day congestion on the busier stretches of I-24. With only one recommended stop planned, you have plenty of flexibility to decide where to stretch your legs during the 198.9-mile journey. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge when you transition off the interstate, as service options may become less frequent on the Lawrenceburg and Pulaski Highway segments. Since the entire trip is designed to be completed in one day, use that extra time to enjoy a relaxed pace rather than rushing through the transitions. Prioritize topping off your tank before you leave the major interstate corridors to ensure you have enough fuel for the final leg of your trip.
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 99.5 miles from East Chattanooga, TN, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.4 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 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.5 miles or 2h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clifton, 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 198.9 miles and 3h 59m.
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 24 for about 47.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 99.5 mi from East Chattanooga, TN · 2h 3m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
99 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 99.5 miles from East Chattanooga, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Clifton, TN
The final approach into Clifton, 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 Clifton, 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
$30.21 one way
$60.42 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $33.30 | $66.61 |
| premium | $4.80 | $37.55 | $75.10 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $44.19 | $88.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.7 | 0 | $20.88 | $9.55 |
| Efficient EV | 49.7 | 0 | $17.40 | $7.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.6 | 0 | $27.85 | $12.73 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Clifton, TN
Evening in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
6:23 PM
CDT
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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
21 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
3h 59m 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 Clifton, TN covers 198.9 miles and takes about 3h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 24, Lawrenceburg Highway, Pulaski Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 99.5 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 $30.21 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 59m drive. You will face about 17 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 2.2 miles (SR 17 / East 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (SR 17 / North Willow Street): Navigation decision point.
Between East Chattanooga, TN and Clifton, TN, road signs point toward 41A: Monteagle and Sewanee.
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