Origin
Tiptonville, TN
Evening in Tiptonville on Sunday
Local time
6:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tiptonville, TN to Chattanooga, TN
Drive Time
6h 9m
Distance
324.5 mi
522 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 57m
★
6 AM
6h 10m
8 AM
6h 35m
10 AM
6h 19m
12 PM
6h 16m
3 PM
6h 20m
5 PM
6h 34m
8 PM
6h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chattanooga, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Crossing Tennessee from Tiptonville to Chattanooga covers 324.5 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 9 minutes of driving time. Because this route is almost entirely highway-focused, you can comfortably complete the journey in a single day if you stay focused. Expect a fuel budget of approximately $49 to cover the distance between these two points in the Southeast. While the drive is straightforward, it remains a significant haul across the state, so planning for at least one dedicated stop is wise to keep fatigue at bay. This trip serves as a efficient way to move between the western and eastern corners of the state without needing to split your travel into multiple days.
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
162.2 miles from Tiptonville, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
You will spend 99% of your time on highways, making this a high-speed, interstate-heavy experience. The journey relies on a mix of US 412, I-24, and the Tennessee National Guard Parkway to bridge the gap between your starting and ending points. Be prepared for a long initial push, as your longest uninterrupted stretch spans 140.2 miles on US 412. The road's personality is defined by consistent, high-volume transit rather than winding backroads or technical terrain. Expect a functional, steady pace as you transition from the western regions toward the landscape surrounding Chattanooga.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 412 is the longest continuous segment at about 140.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 412 and I 24. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 23.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 324.5 miles you will encounter 12 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 23.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 25.9 miles (US 412): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
23.3 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Turn left toward Union City
Navigation decision point
Toward Union City
8
25.9 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
US 412
Take the exit onto US 412 toward US 51 South, US 412 East: Dyersburg, Jackson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Exit 15
Toward US 51 South, US 412 East: Dyersburg, Jac...
6
69 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
|
US 412
Turn left onto US 412 toward I-40 East, US 412 East: Nashville
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
Toward I-40 East, US 412 East: Nashville
7
219 mi into trip
|
~4h 10m 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
324.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 9m 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
Between Tiptonville, TN and Chattanooga, TN, road signs point toward Union City, Jackson and Franklin.
Union City
23.3 mi in
|
~33m
Jackson
25.9 mi in
|
~36m
|
via US 412
Franklin
166.1 mi in
|
~3h 12m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 412 | 140.2 mi | 2h 36m |
| I 24 | 103.1 mi | 1h 54m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 52.2 mi | 55m |
| State Route 78 | 20.9 mi | 29m |
| I 155 | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Headden Drive | 1 mi | 1m |
| US 27 | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Carl Perkins Parkway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 412
— 140.2 mi, about 2h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tiptonville, TN and Chattanooga, TN.
1
Start on TN 21
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
Church Street
2
Turn right onto TN 78
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Carl Perkins Parkway
3
Continue on TN 78
6.8 mi
·
10 min
·
State Route 78
4
Continue on TN 78
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Headden Drive
5
Continue on TN 78
14 mi
·
19 min
·
State Route 78
6
Continue on TN 78
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lake Road
7
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward Union City
8
Merge onto I 155; US 412
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
I 155; US 412
9
Take the exit onto US 412
14 mi
·
16 min
·
US 412
Exit 15
Toward US 51 South, US 412 East: Dyersburg, Jackson
Use the none lane.
10
Continue on US 412
29 mi
·
34 min
·
US 412
Use the none lane.
11
Turn left onto US 412
97 mi
·
1 hr 44 min
·
US 412
Toward I-40 East, US 412 East: Nashville
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
13
Merge onto I 840
52 mi
·
55 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
2 min
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 24
103 mi
·
1 hr 54 min
·
I 24
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 184B
Toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
17
Continue on US 27
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
US 27
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 1B
Toward Downtown
19
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
20
Arrive at destination
TN 8
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 6-hour trek, plan to depart early in the morning to beat potential congestion on the interstate segments. Since the route allows for only one major stop, choose your location carefully along the I-24 corridor to maximize your efficiency. Keep your fuel gauge in mind during that lengthy 140.2-mile stretch on US 412, ensuring you are topped off before committing to the longest portion of the drive. The flexibility of a single-day trip means you can adjust your pace based on traffic conditions, but prioritize consistent rest to stay alert. Budgeting roughly $49 for gas should keep you covered, provided you maintain a steady speed throughout the highway-heavy route.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 162.2 miles from Tiptonville, TN, or about 3h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.2 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 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162.2 miles or 3h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 3m
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 Tiptonville, 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 Tiptonville, TN
This is one driving day of about 324.5 miles and 6h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Tiptonville, 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 US 412 for about 140.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 162.2 mi from Tiptonville, TN · 3h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
162 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 162.2 miles from Tiptonville, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 412 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 140.2 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
$49.29 one way
$98.58 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
114 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $54.33 | $108.67 |
| premium | $4.80 | $61.26 | $122.52 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $72.09 | $144.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 97.4 | 1 | $34.07 | $15.58 |
| Efficient EV | 81.1 | 0 | $28.39 | $12.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 129.8 | 1 | $45.43 | $20.77 |
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Evening in 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
1 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
6h 9m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Tiptonville, TN to Chattanooga, TN covers 324.5 miles and takes about 6h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 412, I 24, 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 162.2 miles from Tiptonville, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.29 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 324.5 miles you will encounter 12 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 23.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 25.9 miles (US 412): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Tiptonville, TN and Chattanooga, TN, road signs point toward Union City, Jackson and Franklin.
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