Origin
Huntsville, TN
Late night in Huntsville on Wednesday
Local time
3:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Huntsville, TN to Chattanooga, TN
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
2h 35m
Distance
127.6 mi
205 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 25m
★
6 AM
2h 36m
8 AM
2h 57m
10 AM
2h 43m
12 PM
2h 41m
3 PM
2h 44m
5 PM
2h 55m
8 PM
2h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Huntsville, TN
Kelly
Chattanooga, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 127.6 miles through the Southeast, this trip from Huntsville to Chattanooga is a manageable journey that typically takes 2 hours and 35 minutes behind the wheel. Because the total drive time is relatively short, you can easily complete this route in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $19 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly way to travel between these two Tennessee locations. You will navigate primarily via local roads rather than major interstates, which keeps the pace steady but requires your full attention. If you value a direct, no-fuss connection within the region, this route serves as a practical link for your travel plans.
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
63.8 miles from Huntsville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Forget the monotony of a high-speed interstate grind; this route is defined by its turn-heavy, local road personality. With 0% highway share, you will spend the entire 127.6 miles navigating routes like Rhea County Highway, Dayton Pike, and Morgan County Highway. You can expect a more technical driving experience compared to typical highway travel, as the road winds through the landscape. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 31.9-mile segment on Rhea County Highway, which provides the most consistent rhythm for your drive. Be prepared for constant adjustments and a more hands-on experience as you transition between these local thoroughfares.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Court Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Huntsville, TN to Chattanooga, TN is easy. At 2h 35m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Huntsville, TN to Chattanooga, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Court Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Howard H Baker Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Scott Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Lon Foust Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Morgan County Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Harriman Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Hannah Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Roane Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Court Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Huntsville, TN and Chattanooga, TN.
1
Start on Woodland Place
20 ft
·
6 sec
·
Woodland Place
2
Turn left onto Court Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Court Street
3
Turn left onto Howard H Baker Highway
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Howard H Baker Highway
4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Scott Highway
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Scott Highway
5
Continue on Scott Highway
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Scott Highway
6
Continue on Lon Foust Highway
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Lon Foust Highway
7
Continue on Scott Highway
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Scott Highway
8
Continue on Morgan County Highway
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Morgan County Highway
9
Continue on Morgan County Highway
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Morgan County Highway
10
Continue on Harriman Highway
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Harriman Highway
11
Continue on Hannah Highway
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Hannah Highway
12
Continue on North Roane Street
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
North Roane Street
13
Continue on North Gateway Avenue
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
North Gateway Avenue
14
Continue on Spring City Highway
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Spring City Highway
15
Continue on Rhea County Highway
32 mi
·
39 min
·
Rhea County Highway
16
Continue on Dayton Pike
31 mi
·
36 min
·
Dayton Pike
17
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Downtown
18
Turn straight onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
19
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy drive, aim to depart during daylight hours to ensure you have clear visibility on the winding local roads. Plan for at least one stop during the 2-hour and 35-minute journey to stretch your legs and stay alert. Because you are relying on roads like Dayton Pike rather than major highways, check your navigation frequently to stay on track through the various turns. Budgeting around $19 for gas should keep you covered, but consider topping off your tank before you leave Huntsville to avoid searching for fuel on smaller roads. Taking advantage of the trip's flexibility is key, so don't hesitate to pull over at a safe spot if you need a break from the frequent steering required on this route.
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 63.8 miles from Huntsville, TN, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.8 miles or 1h 17m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chattanooga, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Huntsville, 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 Huntsville, TN
This is one driving day of about 127.6 miles and 2h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Huntsville, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63.8 mi from Huntsville, TN · 1h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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 63.8 miles from Huntsville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Chattanooga, TN
The final approach into 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 Chattanooga, 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
$19.95 one way
$39.90 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.90 | $43.81 |
| premium | $4.89 | $24.56 | $49.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.17 | $56.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.3 | 0 | $13.40 | $6.12 |
| Efficient EV | 31.9 | 0 | $11.17 | $5.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51 | 0 | $17.86 | $8.17 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Chattanooga, TN
Late night in Chattanooga on Wednesday
Local time
3:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Johnson, TN
64 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 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 35m 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 Huntsville, TN to Chattanooga, TN covers 127.6 miles and takes about 2h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Court Street, Howard H Baker Highway, Scott Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63.8 miles from Huntsville, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.95 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.
The drive from Huntsville, TN to Chattanooga, TN is easy. At 2h 35m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Huntsville, TN to Chattanooga, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Huntsville, TN to Chattanooga, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Chattanooga, TN
More trips to Chattanooga, TN
Explore more options from Huntsville, TN or browse trips ending in Chattanooga, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.
Explore maps for Huntsville, TN or Chattanooga, TN on MapSof.net.