Origin
Waverly, TN
Night in Waverly on Tuesday
Local time
9:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waverly, TN to Chattanooga, TN
Data updated 4 hours ago
Drive Time
3h 45m
Distance
191.1 mi
308 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 33m
★
6 AM
3h 46m
8 AM
4h 11m
10 AM
3h 54m
12 PM
3h 52m
3 PM
3h 56m
5 PM
4h 10m
8 PM
3h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waverly, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Chattanooga, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 191.1-mile drive from Waverly, TN to Chattanooga, TN is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes. Your journey will primarily utilize I-24, with a portion on Tennessee National Guard Parkway and US 70, making it a highway-focused experience. With a fuel cost estimated around $30, this route offers a straightforward connection between two points within the Southeast region. It’s a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient drive without needing to break it up overnight.
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
95.6 miles from Waverly, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a drive where 97% of the mileage is on highways, so it's largely a fast-paced experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 103.1 miles on I-24, meaning you can settle in for a significant period of consistent driving. While primarily interstate, there are brief transitions onto other roads like Tennessee National Guard Parkway and US 70. This suggests a route that prioritizes direct travel over winding 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 18 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 Tennessee National Guard Parkway. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Court Square.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 191.1 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (North Court Square): Navigation decision point; at 24.4 miles (SR 46): Lane positioning matters here; at 29 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 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
|
North Court Square
At end of road, turn left onto North Court Square
Navigation decision point
6
24.4 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
SR 46
Turn right onto SR 46
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
29 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
85.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m 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
190.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 45m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Waverly, TN to Chattanooga, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
Franklin
32.7 mi in
|
~48m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 103.1 mi | 1h 54m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 52.2 mi | 55m |
| US 70 | 21.6 mi | 32m |
| SR 46 | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| I 40 | 3.5 mi | 3m |
| West College Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| East Main Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| 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 Waverly, TN and Chattanooga, TN.
1
Start on Mill Street
253 ft
·
16 sec
·
Mill Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto North Court Square
330 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Court Square
3
Continue on East Main Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
4
Turn left onto East Acre Avenue
114 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Acre Avenue
5
Turn right onto US 70
22 mi
·
32 min
·
US 70
6
Continue on US 70 Business
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West College Street
7
Turn right onto SR 46
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
SR 46
Use the left lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Use the left lane.
9
Merge onto I 40
3.5 mi
·
3 min
·
I 40
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
11
Merge onto I 840
52 mi
·
55 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
2 min
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 24
103 mi
·
1 hr 54 min
·
I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 184B
Toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
15
Continue on US 27
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
US 27
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 1B
Toward Downtown
17
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
18
Arrive at destination
TN 8
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under four hours, you can depart Waverly at your convenience. Aim to leave in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a leisurely pace, even though only one planned stop is typically needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering the longest stretch on I-24, as services can be spread out. The $30 fuel estimate is a good baseline for budgeting, and since it's a single-day drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on traffic or personal preference.
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 95.6 miles from Waverly, TN, or about 1h 58m 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 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.6 miles or 1h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 6m
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 Waverly, 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 Waverly, TN
This is one driving day of about 191.1 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Waverly, 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 95.6 mi from Waverly, TN · 1h 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
96 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 95.6 miles from Waverly, 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 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
$29.88 one way
$59.75 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $32.80 | $65.61 |
| premium | $4.89 | $36.78 | $73.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.19 | $84.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.3 | 0 | $20.07 | $9.17 |
| Efficient EV | 47.8 | 0 | $16.72 | $7.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76.4 | 0 | $26.75 | $12.23 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Night in Chattanooga on Tuesday
Local time
10:48 PM
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
13 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
3h 45m 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 Waverly, TN to Chattanooga, TN covers 191.1 miles and takes about 3h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 24, Tennessee National Guard Parkway, US 70. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 95.6 miles from Waverly, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.88 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 191.1 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (North Court Square): Navigation decision point; at 24.4 miles (SR 46): Lane positioning matters here; at 29 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Waverly, TN to Chattanooga, TN, road signs begin pointing toward Franklin along the way.
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