How far is Athens, AL from Chattanooga, TN?
The driving distance from Athens, AL to Chattanooga, TN is about 124.9 miles (201 km), with a travel time of about 02h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 95.7 miles (154 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 33m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Alabama
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Athens and Chattanooga.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Athens and Chattanooga.
-
1
Start on Jefferson Street South
1.4 km · 2 min · Jefferson Street South
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2
Turn left onto US Highway 72 West
22.5 mi · 32 min · US Highway 72 West
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3
Continue on Pratt Avenue Northwest
1537 ft · 33 sec · Pratt Avenue Northwest
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4
Turn right onto Washington Street Northwest
134 m · 15 sec · Washington Street Northwest
-
5
Take the ramp slight left
2056 ft · 45 sec
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6
Merge slight left
72.8 mi · 1 hr 25 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I-24 East: Chattanooga
1068 ft · 26 sec
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8
Merge slight left
26.2 mi · 29 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
2163 ft · 47 sec
-
10
Continue straight
1.2 km · 60 sec
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
1123 ft · 26 sec
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12
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
897 ft · 30 sec · West Martin Luther King Boulevard
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Martin Luther King Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Athens and Chattanooga.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Washington Street Northwest
Merge slight left
72.8 mi · 01h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Athens and Sunny near Chattanooga.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Athens to Chattanooga?
The road trip is about 124.9 miles (201 km) and usually takes 02h 33m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Scottsboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.4 miles from Athens and 62.5 miles from Chattanooga.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 95.7 miles (154 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:24 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.44 one way or $34.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.2 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Athens and Chattanooga, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Athens and Sunny near Chattanooga.
Stop Ideas Near Scottsboro
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Scottsboro.
Anniston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Athens and Chattanooga. Straight-line distance: 95.67 mi (153.96 km).
#1 Athens
County seat of Limestone County, Alabama, United States
| Population | 28,643 |
| Coordinates | 34.8024300, -86.9721900 |
| Altitude | 220 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Chattanooga
The fourth most populous city in Tennessee.
| Population | 184,742 |
| Coordinates | 35.0456300, -85.3096800 |
| Altitude | 206 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chattanooga (-85.30968, 35.04563)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 201 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $17.44 | $34.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $19.53 | $39.06 |
| Premium | $4.84 | $21.32 | $42.64 |
| Diesel | $5.93 | $26.17 | $52.34 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Alabama · Oct 15, 2026