Drive Time
3h 20m
Distance
174.7 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
The drive from East Chattanooga, TN to Dickson, TN covers 174.7 miles and takes about 3h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Glass Street, Dodson Avenue, East 3rd Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.94 one way before food or hotel costs.
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 40m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 20m drive with frequent turns across 174.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Glass Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dodson Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East 3rd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Willow Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Kelley Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 840 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between East Chattanooga, TN and Dickson, TN.
Start on North Chamberlain Avenue
Turn sharp left onto Glass Street
Turn left onto Dodson Avenue
Turn right onto East 3rd Street
Turn left onto North Willow Street
Turn left onto East Main Street
Turn right onto South Kelley Street
Take the ramp right
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward SR 46: Centerville, Dickson
Turn right
Turn left onto East College Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.3 miles or 1h 40m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dickson, TN than in the middle of the route.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 87.3 mi from East Chattanooga, TN · 1h 40m 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 87.3 miles from East Chattanooga, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$25.94 one way
$51.87 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $29.25 | $58.50 |
| premium | $4.65 | $32.01 | $64.02 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $36.48 | $72.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.1 kg one way.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in East Chattanooga on Saturday
Local time
6:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Dickson on Saturday
Local time
5:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
64°F
Franklin, TN
87 mi in
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Explore more options from East Chattanooga, TN or browse trips ending in Dickson, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.
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