Origin
East Chattanooga, TN
Afternoon in East Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
4:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from East Chattanooga, TN to Lafayette, TN
Drive Time
2h 22m
Distance
110.8 mi
178 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 13m
★
6 AM
2h 23m
8 AM
2h 42m
10 AM
2h 29m
12 PM
2h 27m
3 PM
2h 30m
5 PM
2h 41m
8 PM
2h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lafayette, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 110.8 miles, your journey from East Chattanooga to Lafayette, Tennessee, is an efficient trip that clocks in at approximately 2 hours and 22 minutes. Because this drive is relatively short, it is easily manageable as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend about $17 on fuel for the trek, making it a budget-friendly option for travelers moving within the Southeast region. The route utilizes a combination of Artillery Road, TN 8, and SR 111 to navigate between these two points. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, the straightforward nature of this drive makes it a practical choice for your travel plans.
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
55.4 miles from East Chattanooga, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition across the state, with highway travel accounting for 50 percent of your total time on the road. The route features a notable 43.5-mile stretch along Artillery Road, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of your trip. You will encounter a blend of road types, shifting between larger thoroughfares and local routes that offer a varied pace behind the wheel. This balance keeps the drive engaging, moving you steadily through the landscape without the monotony often found on longer, strictly interstate-based trips. By the time you reach Lafayette, you will have navigated a functional mix of terrain that requires a steady, alert driving style.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Artillery Road is the longest continuous segment at about 43.5 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 around 0.4 miles in near SR 17 / Campbell Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 22m 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: at 0.4 miles (SR 17 / Campbell Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles (TN 153): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.4 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SR 17 / Campbell Street
At end of road, turn left onto SR 17 / Campbell Street
Navigation decision point
5
3.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
TN 153
Merge onto TN 153
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
11.2 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward Dayton, Soddy-Daisy
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Dayton, Soddy-Daisy
4
20.9 mi into trip
|
~27m in
|
TN 111
Keep slight left at fork onto TN 111
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
102.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
Take the exit toward TN 56 North: Baxter, Gainesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TN 56 North: Baxter, Gainesboro
Towns Along This Route
Between East Chattanooga, TN and Lafayette, TN, road signs point toward Dayton, Soddy-Daisy and Gainesboro.
Dayton
11.2 mi in
|
~15m
Soddy-Daisy
11.2 mi in
|
~15m
Gainesboro
102.6 mi in
|
~2h 10m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Artillery Road | 43.5 mi | 56m |
| TN 8 | 12.6 mi | 17m |
| SR 111 | 11.5 mi | 13m |
| US 27 | 9.3 mi | 10m |
| TN 153 | 7.9 mi | 9m |
| I 40 | 7.9 mi | 8m |
| TN 111 | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| Nashville Highway | 5.7 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
Artillery Road
— 43.5 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Chattanooga, TN and Lafayette, TN.
1
Start on North Chamberlain Avenue
52 ft
·
3 sec
·
North Chamberlain Avenue
2
Turn right onto SR 17
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Glass Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto SR 17
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Campbell Street
4
Continue on SR 17
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Bonny Oaks Drive
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward TN 153 North
6
Merge onto TN 153
7.9 mi
·
9 min
·
TN 153
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward Dayton, Soddy-Daisy
8
Merge onto US 27
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
US 27
9
Keep slight left at fork onto TN 111
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
TN 111
10
Continue on SR 111
11 mi
·
13 min
·
SR 111
11
Continue on TN 8; TN 111
13 mi
·
17 min
·
TN 8; TN 111
12
Continue on SR 111
44 mi
·
56 min
·
Artillery Road
13
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
14
Merge onto I 40
7.9 mi
·
8 min
·
I 40
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward TN 56 North: Baxter, Gainesboro
16
Turn right onto SR 56
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Gundy Quarels Memorial Highway
17
Turn left onto US 70N
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Nashville Highway
18
Arrive at destination
US 70N; SR 96
Trip Plan
Since this 110.8-mile drive takes less than two and a half hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. There are no mandatory stops scheduled for this route, so you can easily complete the journey in one go if you prefer. To stay on track, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before starting, as the $17 estimate assumes a standard vehicle efficiency. Given the reliance on Artillery Road, TN 8, and SR 111, ensure your GPS is updated to handle the transitions between these specific roads smoothly. Planning your departure for mid-morning or early afternoon will help you avoid the heaviest congestion in East Chattanooga, setting you up for a smooth arrival in Lafayette.
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 55.4 miles from East Chattanooga, TN, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.5 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 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.4 miles or 1h 10m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lafayette, 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 110.8 miles and 2h 22m.
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 Artillery Road for about 43.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 55.4 mi from East Chattanooga, TN · 1h 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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 55.4 miles from East Chattanooga, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lafayette, TN
The final approach into Lafayette, 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 Lafayette, 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
$16.83 one way
$33.66 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $18.55 | $37.10 |
| premium | $4.80 | $20.92 | $41.83 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $24.62 | $49.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.2 | 0 | $11.63 | $5.32 |
| Efficient EV | 27.7 | 0 | $9.69 | $4.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.3 | 0 | $15.51 | $7.09 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Lafayette, TN
Afternoon in Lafayette on Sunday
Local time
3:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
1 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 22m 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 Lafayette, TN covers 110.8 miles and takes about 2h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Artillery Road, TN 8, SR 111. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 55.4 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 $16.83 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 straightforward 2h 22m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (SR 17 / Campbell Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles (TN 153): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between East Chattanooga, TN and Lafayette, TN, road signs point toward Dayton, Soddy-Daisy and Gainesboro.
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