Origin
Three Way, TN
Evening in Three Way on Sunday
Local time
6:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Three Way, TN to East Chattanooga, TN
Drive Time
5h 1m
Distance
267 mi
430 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 48m
★
6 AM
5h 1m
8 AM
5h 28m
10 AM
5h 11m
12 PM
5h 8m
3 PM
5h 12m
5 PM
5h 27m
8 PM
4h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
Crossing Tennessee from Three Way to East Chattanooga covers 267 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 1 minute. This highway-focused journey relies heavily on I-40, I-24, and the Tennessee National Guard Parkway to move you across the state. Because the total drive time is manageable, it works well as a straightforward one-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $40 for fuel to complete the trek. Since both your starting point and destination are nestled within the Southeast region, the environment remains consistent throughout the journey. It is a practical, efficient path for travelers looking to get from the western side of the state to the Chattanooga area quickly.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
133.5 miles from Three Way, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient transit, as 97% of this route takes place on major highways. The character of the drive is defined by sustained interstate travel rather than local winding roads. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 103.1 miles while navigating I-24, which demands steady focus and patience. While the road transitions across different highway segments, the experience is largely consistent and designed for speed and directness. You will spend most of your time behind the wheel cruising at highway speeds, making this an ideal choice if you prioritize reaching your destination over scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 103.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and I 40. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near US 45W.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 267 miles you will encounter 16 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 0.4 miles (US 45W): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles (I 40; US 412): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 45W
Turn right onto US 45W
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
8.2 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
8.5 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
I 40; US 412
Merge onto I 40; US 412
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
157.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
6
262.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 51m in
|
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Three Way, TN to East Chattanooga, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
Franklin
104.1 mi in
|
~1h 55m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 103.1 mi | 1h 54m |
| I 40 | 95.6 mi | 1h 42m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 52.2 mi | 55m |
| US 45W | 7.9 mi | 10m |
| Riverside Drive | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Wilcox Boulevard | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Dodson Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| US 27 | 0.7 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 103.1 mi, about 1h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Three Way, TN and East Chattanooga, TN.
1
Start on Sanders Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Sanders Road
2
Turn right onto US 45W
7.9 mi
·
10 min
·
US 45W
Use the left lane.
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 40; US 412
96 mi
·
1 hr 42 min
·
I 40; US 412
Use the none lane.
5
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
6
Merge onto I 840
52 mi
·
55 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
2 min
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 24
103 mi
·
1 hr 54 min
·
I 24
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 184B
Toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
10
Continue on US 27
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
US 27
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 1B
Toward Downtown
12
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
13
Turn left onto Georgia Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Georgia Avenue
14
Turn right onto East 4th Street
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
East 4th Street
15
Turn straight
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
16
Continue on Riverside Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Riverside Drive
17
Turn right onto Wilcox Boulevard
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Wilcox Boulevard
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto SR 17
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Dodson Avenue
19
Turn right onto SR 17
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Glass Street
20
Turn sharp right onto North Chamberlain Avenue
52 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Chamberlain Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
North Chamberlain Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic periods in urban corridors along the interstate. Planning for at least one dedicated stop is a smart way to break up the drive and stay alert during your time on the road. Since the route is entirely highway-focused, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longer 103.1-mile stretch on I-24 to ensure you don't run low between services. Because this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your start time based on your personal pace. Aiming for an early morning departure will help you arrive in East Chattanooga with plenty of daylight to spare.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 133.5 miles from Three Way, TN, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.1 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.5 miles or 2h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 2m
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 Three Way, 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 Three Way, TN
This is one driving day of about 267 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Three Way, 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 103.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 133.5 mi from Three Way, TN · 2h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 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 133.5 miles from Three Way, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.1 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.
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
$40.55 one way
$81.11 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $44.71 | $89.41 |
| premium | $4.80 | $50.40 | $100.81 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $59.32 | $118.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.1 | 0 | $28.03 | $12.82 |
| Efficient EV | 66.8 | 0 | $23.36 | $10.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106.8 | 1 | $37.38 | $17.09 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
East Chattanooga, TN
Evening in East Chattanooga on Sunday
Local time
7:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 1m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Three Way, TN to East Chattanooga, TN covers 267 miles and takes about 5h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 24, I 40, Tennessee National Guard 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 133.5 miles from Three Way, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.55 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 267 miles you will encounter 16 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 0.4 miles (US 45W): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles (I 40; US 412): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Three Way, TN to East Chattanooga, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
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