Origin
Tullahoma, TN
Night in Tullahoma on Tuesday
Local time
11:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tullahoma, TN to East Chattanooga, TN
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 41m
Distance
81.1 mi
131 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 34m
★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 57m
10 AM
1h 47m
12 PM
1h 45m
3 PM
1h 48m
5 PM
1h 56m
8 PM
1h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tullahoma, TN
Kelly
Trip Overview
Spanning 81.1 miles across Southeast Tennessee, this straightforward drive from Tullahoma to East Chattanooga typically takes about 1 hour and 41 minutes. It is a perfect candidate for a single-day trip, as the duration is manageable without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $12 for fuel to complete the journey, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. Because the route stays within the same region, you won't face major climate or terrain shifts, making it a reliable commute or weekend excursion. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, the trip is short enough to offer plenty of flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
40.6 miles from Tullahoma, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 76% of your time spent on major roads like I-24 and the Wattendorf Memorial Highway. You will spend the bulk of your journey on a long, 60.7-mile stretch of I-24, which defines the character of the trip as an efficient, interstate-heavy experience. Expect a consistent pace once you merge onto the highway, as the route favors speed and directness over winding local backroads. While you start by navigating local segments of the Wattendorf Highway, the transition to the interstate system provides a predictable flow for the majority of your travel time.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 60.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and Wattendorf Memorial Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Lauderdale Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 41m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Lauderdale Street): Navigation decision point; at 75.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 76.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Lauderdale Street
Turn right onto West Lauderdale Street
Navigation decision point
5
75.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 184B
Toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
5
76.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 1B
Toward Downtown
6
76.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
|
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
5
79 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
|
Wilcox Boulevard
Turn right onto Wilcox Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Tullahoma, TN to East Chattanooga, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Downtown along the way.
Downtown
76.2 mi in
|
~1h 31m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 60.7 mi | 1h 9m |
| Wattendorf Memorial Highway | 10.6 mi | 14m |
| Wattendorf Highway | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Riverside Drive | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Wilcox Boulevard | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Dodson Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| US 27 | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Forrest Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 24
— 60.7 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tullahoma, TN and East Chattanooga, TN.
1
Start on Southwest Atlantic Street
199 ft
·
7 sec
·
Southwest Atlantic Street
2
Turn right onto West Lauderdale Street
520 ft
·
22 sec
·
West Lauderdale Street
3
Turn left onto US 41A; SR 55; SR 130
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
South Jackson Street
4
Turn left onto SR 55
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
West Carroll Street
5
Turn right onto South Anderson Street
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
South Anderson Street
6
Continue on Forrest Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Forrest Boulevard
7
Continue on Wattendorf Highway
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Wattendorf Highway
8
Continue on Wattendorf Memorial Highway
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Wattendorf Memorial Highway
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
10
Merge onto I 24
61 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 24
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 184B
Toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
12
Continue on US 27
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
US 27
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 1B
Toward Downtown
14
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto Georgia Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Georgia Avenue
16
Turn right onto East 4th Street
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
East 4th Street
17
Turn straight
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
18
Continue on Riverside Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Riverside Drive
19
Turn right onto Wilcox Boulevard
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Wilcox Boulevard
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto SR 17
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Dodson Avenue
21
Turn right onto SR 17
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Glass Street
22
Turn sharp right onto North Chamberlain Avenue
52 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Chamberlain Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
North Chamberlain Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the advantage of planning your departure around peak traffic hours to ensure a smoother experience. Aim to leave during off-peak times to avoid potential congestion on the 60.7-mile interstate stretch. There are no mandatory stops required for this 1 hour and 41-minute trip, but keep in mind that your fuel costs will hover around $12, so fueling up in Tullahoma is a smart move before you hit the highway. Use the flexibility of this short timeframe to your advantage by adjusting your departure to best suit your personal itinerary. Staying alert during the long highway portion is your best strategy for a safe and efficient arrival in East Chattanooga.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 40.6 miles from Tullahoma, TN, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.7 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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.6 miles or 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 22m
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 Tullahoma, 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 Tullahoma, TN
This is one driving day of about 81.1 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Tullahoma, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 24 for about 60.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.6 mi from Tullahoma, TN · 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 40.6 miles from Tullahoma, 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 60.7 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.68 one way
$25.36 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $13.92 | $27.84 |
| premium | $4.89 | $15.61 | $31.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.91 | $35.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.3 | 0 | $8.52 | $3.89 |
| Efficient EV | 20.3 | 0 | $7.10 | $3.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.4 | 0 | $11.35 | $5.19 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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
East Chattanooga, TN
Late night in East Chattanooga on Wednesday
Local time
12:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°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
5 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
1h 41m 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 Tullahoma, TN to East Chattanooga, TN covers 81.1 miles and takes about 1h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 24, Wattendorf Memorial Highway, Wattendorf Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40.6 miles from Tullahoma, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.68 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.
This is a straightforward 1h 41m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Lauderdale Street): Navigation decision point; at 75.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 76.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
On the drive from Tullahoma, TN to East Chattanooga, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Downtown along the way.
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