How far is Central, TN from Chattanooga, TN?
The driving distance from Central, TN to Chattanooga, TN is about 219.8 miles (353.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 191.2 miles (307.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 28m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
The most populous city in Tennessee.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Fog then Sunny
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Central and Chattanooga.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Central and Chattanooga.
-
1
Start on Elizabethton Highway
1.5 mi · 3 min · Elizabethton Highway
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2
Continue on East Main Street
1.8 mi · 5 min · East Main Street
-
3
Turn straight
71 m · 10 sec
-
4
Turn right onto Legion Street
722 ft · 15 sec · Legion Street
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5
Take the ramp slight right
747 ft · 18 sec
-
6
Merge slight left onto James H. Quillen Parkway
14.3 mi · 17 min · James H. Quillen Parkway
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 81 South: Knoxville
1100 ft · 38 sec
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8
Merge slight left
56.4 mi · 1 hr
-
9
Continue on I 40 West: Knoxville
1.1 km · 45 sec
-
10
Merge slight left
52.8 mi · 59 min
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 South: Chattanooga
83.1 mi · 1 hr 31 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
1.1 km · 56 sec
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13
Continue on Chattanooga, Nashville
5.8 mi · 8 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain
999 ft · 15 sec
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain
1018 ft · 16 sec
-
16
Keep slight left
1.4 mi · 2 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
1123 ft · 26 sec
-
18
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
897 ft · 30 sec · West Martin Luther King Boulevard
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19
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 Central and Chattanooga.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 75 South
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 South: Chattanooga
83.1 mi · 01h 31m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Areas Of Fog then Sunny leaving Central and Mostly Clear near Chattanooga.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Central to Chattanooga?
The road trip is about 219.8 miles (353.7 km) and usually takes 03h 28m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Knoxville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 109.7 miles from Central and 110 miles from Chattanooga.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 191.2 miles (307.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:04 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.54 one way or $57.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Areas Of Fog then Sunny around Central and Mostly Clear near Chattanooga.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Central and Chattanooga. Straight-line distance: 191.18 mi (307.67 km).
#1 Central
Central is a place in Tennessee, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 36.3262200, -82.2895800 |
| Altitude | 505 |
| 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: West Martin Luther King Boulevard (-85.309688, 35.045753)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 354 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.68 | $28.54 | $57.07 |
| Mid-grade | $4.15 | $32.16 | $64.33 |
| Premium | $4.56 | $35.36 | $70.73 |
| Diesel | $5.90 | $45.70 | $91.40 |
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 Tennessee · Nov 06, 2026