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Trip from Pegram, TN to Chattanooga, TN

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 51m

Distance

151.1 mi

243 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 40m ★
6 AM
2h 51m
8 AM
3h 13m
10 AM
2h 59m
12 PM
2h 57m
3 PM
3h 0m
5 PM
3h 12m
8 PM
2h 45m

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

Downtown Pegram, TN, TN

Pegram, TN

Google DeepMind

city in and county seat of Hamilton County, Tennessee, United States

Chattanooga, TN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embarking on a road trip from Pegram, Tennessee, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, covers a distance of 151.1 miles and is estimated to take about 2 hours and 51 minutes. This drive is predominantly on highways, with 98% of the route utilizing major interstates, making it a straightforward journey through the Southeast region. With a fuel cost estimated at $24, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stops. The overall feel is that of a focused, highway-driven experience, ideal for reaching your destination efficiently.

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

75.5 miles from Pegram, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 51m. Total distance: 151.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a largely highway-focused drive for this 151.1-mile trip, with 98% of your journey on major interstate roads like I-24 and I-40. The route features a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 125.4 miles on I-24, meaning you'll be cruising at highway speeds for a significant portion of your travel. While primarily interstate, the introduction of Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway at the end offers a slight change in scenery as you approach your destination. This profile suggests a drive focused on covering ground efficiently rather than winding through small towns.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 125.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in near I 40.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 151.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

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

5
3.4 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 40

Merge onto I 40

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
16.2 mi into trip | ~19m in

Take the exit toward I 440 East: Knoxville

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 206 Toward I 440 East: Knoxville
7
23.6 mi into trip | ~28m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 24 East: Chattanooga

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
5
24.1 mi into trip | ~29m in | I 24

Merge onto I 24

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
150.9 mi into trip | ~2h 50m in | West Martin Luther King Boulevard

Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight / right lanes.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 24 125.4 mi 2h 19m
I 40 12.9 mi 13m
Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway 7 mi 8m
US 70 1.9 mi 2m
Mc Crory Lane 0.8 mi 1m
US 27 0.7 mi <1m
McCrory Lane 0.5 mi 1m
West Martin Luther King Boulevard 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 24 — 125.4 mi, about 2h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 70

1.9 mi · 2 min · US 70
2

Turn right onto Mc Crory Lane

0.8 mi · 1 min · Mc Crory Lane
3

Continue on McCrory Lane

0.5 mi · 1 min · McCrory Lane
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward I 40 East: Nashville
5

Merge onto I 40

13 mi · 13 min · I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 38 sec
Exit 206 Toward I 440 East: Knoxville Use the slight right lane.
7

Continue on I 440

7.0 mi · 8 min · Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 51 sec
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 24

125 mi · 2 hr 19 min · I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Exit 184B Toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
11

Continue on US 27

0.7 mi · 59 sec · US 27
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Exit 1B Toward Downtown
13

Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard

0.2 mi · 29 sec · West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
14

Arrive at destination

TN 8

Trip Plan

Given that this drive can be completed in under 3 hours, leaving Pegram in the morning allows for plenty of time to reach Chattanooga without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you structure your journey; consider a brief break midway to stretch your legs. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 125 miles on I-24, so ensure you're fueled up before you begin this significant portion. Keep an eye on traffic, especially as you approach Chattanooga, as interstate conditions can change.

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 75.5 miles from Pegram, TN, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 125.4 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 33 miles or 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 75.5 miles or 1h 26m 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 20m

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 Pegram, 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 Pegram, TN

This is one driving day of about 151.1 miles and 2h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Pegram, 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 125.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 75.5 mi from Pegram, TN · 1h 26m into the drive

human settlement in Grundy County, Tennessee, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Tracy City, TN

76 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.

Popular next leg

Tracy City, TN to Chattanooga, TN

43.4 mi · 54m

Pacing Suggestions

La Vergne, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Tracy City, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 75.5 miles from Pegram, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 125.4 miles.

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.

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

$23.62 one way

$47.25 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 53 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $25.94 $51.87
premium $4.89 $29.08 $58.16
diesel $5.61 $33.36 $66.72

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 52.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 45.3 0 $15.87 $7.25
Efficient EV 37.8 0 $13.22 $6.04
EV Truck/SUV 60.4 0 $21.15 $9.67

Gas CO2

53 kg

EV CO2

18 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

Pegram, TN

Morning in Pegram on Friday

Local time

11:02 AM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Chattanooga, TN

Afternoon in Chattanooga on Friday

Local time

12:02 PM

EDT

Current temp

75°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 later

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

2h 51m 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 Pegram, TN to Chattanooga, TN covers 151.1 miles and takes about 2h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 24, I 40, Debra K Johnson Memorial Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 75.5 miles from Pegram, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.62 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 is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 151.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Pegram, TN to Chattanooga, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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