Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Gatlinburg, TN to East Chattanooga, TN

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 57m

Distance

142.8 mi

230 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 46m ★
6 AM
2h 57m
8 AM
3h 20m
10 AM
3h 5m
12 PM
3h 3m
3 PM
3h 6m
5 PM
3h 19m
8 PM
2h 50m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Gatlinburg, TN, TN

Gatlinburg, TN

Kelly

Trip Overview

The drive from Gatlinburg, TN to East Chattanooga, TN covers 142.8 miles and takes about 2h 57m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 75, Chapman Highway, I 40 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 77.1 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.33 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

71.4 miles from Gatlinburg, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 57m. Total distance: 142.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 57m highway drive covering 142.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and Chapman Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 77.1 miles on I 75.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 77.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Chapman Highway. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 441 / Parkway.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 142.8 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 441 / Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.2 miles (US 411; US 441 / West Main Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 441 / Parkway

At end of road, turn left onto US 441 / Parkway

Navigation decision point

6
12.5 mi into trip | ~23m in

Take the exit toward US 411 North

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward US 411 North
5
13.2 mi into trip | ~24m in | US 411; US 441 / West Main Street

Turn left onto US 411; US 441 / West Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.
5
39.3 mi into trip | ~57m in | I 40

Merge onto I 40

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
134.8 mi into trip | ~2h 42m in | US 11; US 64; SR 317

Take the exit onto US 11; US 64; SR 317 toward Secondary SR 317 West, US 11 South, US 64 West: Bonny Oaks Drive, Old Lee Highway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward Secondary SR 317 West, US 11 South, US 6...

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Gatlinburg, TN and East Chattanooga, TN, road signs point toward Secondary Sr 317 West and Old Lee Highway.

Secondary Sr 317 West

134.8 mi in | ~2h 42m | via US 11; US 64; SR 317

Old Lee Highway

134.8 mi in | ~2h 42m | via US 11; US 64; SR 317

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 77.1 mi 1h 23m
Chapman Highway 22.1 mi 26m
I 40 18.3 mi 21m
Parkway 8.3 mi 15m
Bonny Oaks Drive 6.5 mi 11m
Gatlinburg Spur Road 4.2 mi 7m
West Main Street 1.8 mi 2m
Henley Street 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 77.1 mi, about 1h 23m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gatlinburg, TN and East Chattanooga, TN.

1

Start on this road

53 ft · 4 sec · this road
2

Turn slight right

355 ft · 32 sec
3

At end of road, turn left onto US 441

1.2 mi · 3 min · Parkway
4

Continue on US 321; US 441

4.2 mi · 7 min · Gatlinburg Spur Road
Use the straight lane.
5

Continue on US 321; US 441

7.1 mi · 12 min · Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6

Take the exit

125 ft · 6 sec
Toward US 411 North Use the left lane.
7

Turn left onto US 441

0.6 mi · 49 sec · Forks of the River Parkway
8

Turn left onto US 411; US 441

1.8 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
9

Continue on US 411; US 441

22 mi · 26 min · Chapman Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
10

Continue on US 441; SR 33

0.7 mi · 1 min · Henley Street
Use the straight lane.
11

Continue on US 441

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Henley Street
12

Turn slight left onto SR 62

0.7 mi · 1 min · Western Avenue
Use the straight lane.
13

Turn left onto Ailor Avenue

0.4 mi · 43 sec · Ailor Avenue
14

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward I 40 West, I 75 South
15

Merge onto I 40

18 mi · 21 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

77 mi · 1 hr 23 min · I 75
Toward I 75 South: Chattanooga
17

Take the exit onto US 11; US 64; SR 317

0.2 mi · 44 sec · US 11; US 64; SR 317
Toward Secondary SR 317 West, US 11 South, US 64 West: Bonny Oaks Drive, Old Lee Highway Use the slight right lane.
18

Keep slight right at fork onto US 11; US 64; SR 317

0.2 mi · 24 sec · US 11; US 64; SR 317
19

Continue on TN 317

4.8 mi · 8 min · Bonny Oaks Drive
20

Continue on SR 17

1.8 mi · 3 min · Bonny Oaks Drive
21

Continue on SR 17

0.6 mi · 1 min · Campbell Street
22

Turn right onto SR 17

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Glass Street
23

Turn left onto North Chamberlain Avenue

52 ft · 1 sec · North Chamberlain Avenue
24

Arrive at destination

North Chamberlain Avenue

Trip Plan

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.4 miles from Gatlinburg, TN, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.1 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 31 miles or 46m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 71.4 miles or 1h 34m 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 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Chattanooga, TN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Gatlinburg, 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 Gatlinburg, TN

This is one driving day of about 142.8 miles and 2h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Gatlinburg, 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 75 for about 77.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 71.4 mi from Gatlinburg, TN · 1h 34m into the drive

city and county seat of Knox County, State of Tennessee, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Knoxville, TN

71 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

Knoxville, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lenoir City, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 71.4 miles from Gatlinburg, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.1 miles.

Arriving in East Chattanooga, TN

The final approach into East Chattanooga, 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 East Chattanooga, TN.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park

Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...

8 mi from route ~20 min detour Free
Park Closure: Abrams Falls Trail Closed
Park Closure: Seasonal road closures
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.33 one way

$44.65 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 50 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $24.51 $49.02
premium $4.89 $27.48 $54.96
diesel $5.61 $31.53 $63.06

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 50 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 42.8 0 $14.99 $6.85
Efficient EV 35.7 0 $12.50 $5.71
EV Truck/SUV 57.1 0 $19.99 $9.14

Gas CO2

50 kg

EV CO2

17 kg (66% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Gatlinburg, TN

Afternoon in Gatlinburg on Thursday

Local time

12:22 PM

EDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

East Chattanooga, TN

Afternoon in East Chattanooga on Thursday

Local time

12:22 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

8 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 57m 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 Gatlinburg, TN to East Chattanooga, TN covers 142.8 miles and takes about 2h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Chapman Highway, I 40. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71.4 miles from Gatlinburg, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.33 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 142.8 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 441 / Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.2 miles (US 411; US 441 / West Main Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Gatlinburg, TN and East Chattanooga, TN, road signs point toward Secondary Sr 317 West and Old Lee Highway.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From East Chattanooga, TN

Arlington, TN 316 mi · 5h 53m Brighton, TN 315.9 mi · 6h 8m Germantown, TN 304.3 mi · 6h 8m Halls, TN 300.5 mi · 5h 48m

More from Gatlinburg, TN

Clarksville, TN 269.7 mi · 4h 30m Nashville, TN 217.6 mi · 4h 15m Knoxville, TN 37.5 mi · 54m

More trips to East Chattanooga, TN

Obion, TN 321.1 mi Germantown, TN 302.9 mi Dyer, TN 291.2 mi Humboldt, TN 271.8 mi Three Way, TN 267 mi Jackson, TN 260.8 mi

Explore more options from Gatlinburg, TN or browse trips ending in East Chattanooga, TN.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.

Explore maps for Gatlinburg, TN or East Chattanooga, TN on MapSof.net.