Origin
East Chattanooga, TN
Evening in East Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
8:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from East Chattanooga, TN to Dickson, TN
Drive Time
3h 20m
Distance
174.7 mi
281 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 8m
★
6 AM
3h 20m
8 AM
3h 44m
10 AM
3h 29m
12 PM
3h 26m
3 PM
3h 30m
5 PM
3h 43m
8 PM
3h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dickson, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 174.7 miles across Tennessee, this drive from East Chattanooga to Dickson is a straightforward journey typically taking about 3 hours and 20 minutes. Because it relies heavily on major thoroughfares, you can easily complete the entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $27 on fuel for the transit, making it a budget-friendly option for cross-state travel. You will remain within the Southeast region for the duration of the trip as you move from the eastern side of the state toward the middle. It is a practical, efficient route that prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads, perfect for when you need to reach your destination with minimal fuss.
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
87.3 miles from East Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .
Drive Character
With 97% of the route consisting of highway driving, this is a quintessential interstate-focused trip. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-24, which features a significant 107.5-mile stretch that serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the journey. The experience is characterized by high-speed cruising, transitioning later into the Tennessee National Guard Parkway and SR 46 as you approach Dickson. While the interstate segments are efficient for covering ground quickly, the shift to state roads near the end of your trip provides a slightly different pace as you navigate off the main corridor. Expect a consistent, predictable drive that minimizes technical maneuvers in favor of steady, reliable highway miles.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 107.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. 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 20m drive. You will face about 14 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 14 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.
8
169.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 12m in
Take the exit toward SR 46: Centerville, Dickson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 172
Toward SR 46: Centerville, Dickson
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from East Chattanooga, TN to Dickson, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
Franklin
111.8 mi in
|
~2h 8m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 107.5 mi | 2h |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 53.7 mi | 58m |
| SR 46 | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| I 40 | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| Dodson Avenue | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| North Willow Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| East College Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Kelley Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 107.5 mi, about 2h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Chattanooga, TN and Dickson, 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
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
I 40
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 172
Toward SR 46: Centerville, Dickson
Use the right lane.
14
Turn right onto SR 46
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
SR 46
Use the right lane.
15
Turn left onto US 70 Business
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East College Street
16
Arrive at destination
US 70 Business
Trip Plan
Since the drive is manageable in one go, you have plenty of flexibility to structure your departure time to avoid peak traffic hours. Plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to break up the 3-hour and 20-minute travel time, as this will help keep you alert during the long interstate stretches. Given that the longest segment of the drive is over 100 miles, ensure your tank is topped off before hitting the major highway sections to avoid unnecessary detours for fuel. Keep a close eye on your mileage, as the $27 fuel estimate is based on standard consumption and can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency. Using the Tennessee National Guard Parkway as your transition point is a great way to navigate toward Dickson efficiently once you exit the interstate.
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 87.3 miles from East Chattanooga, TN, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.5 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 87.3 miles or 1h 41m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dickson, 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 174.7 miles and 3h 20m.
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 107.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 87.3 mi from East Chattanooga, TN · 1h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 87.3 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 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 107.5 miles.
Arriving in Dickson, TN
The final approach into Dickson, 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 Dickson, 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
$26.54 one way
$53.07 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $29.25 | $58.50 |
| premium | $4.80 | $32.98 | $65.96 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $38.81 | $77.62 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.4 | 0 | $18.34 | $8.39 |
| Efficient EV | 43.7 | 0 | $15.29 | $6.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.9 | 0 | $24.46 | $11.18 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Dickson, TN
Evening in Dickson on Sunday
Local time
7:32 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 20m 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 Dickson, TN covers 174.7 miles and takes about 3h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 24, Tennessee National Guard Parkway, SR 46. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 87.3 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 $26.54 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 20m drive. You will face about 14 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 Dickson, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
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