How far is Central, TN from East Chattanooga, TN?

The driving distance from Central, TN to East Chattanooga, TN is about 216.3 miles (348.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 25m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 187.5 miles (301.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
216.29 mi
03h 25m
Flight
187.52 mi
301.78 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Central.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
187.52 mi
Kilometers
301.78 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
216.29 mi
Kilometers
348.09 km
Drive Time
03h 25m

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 25m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in East Chattanooga
Mon, Apr 13, 3:04 PM EDT
Return by in Central
Mon, Apr 13, 6:30 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Central
2026-04-13T11:39
Arrive East Chattanooga
Mon, Apr 13, 3:04 PM EDT
Route Timing
03h 25m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:25 AM to 11:25 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:10 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Central
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Knoxville
TN

The most populous city in Tennessee.

From Central
106.4 mi
01h 42m
To East Chattanooga
109.9 mi
01h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Monday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, Apr 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW
Destination
82°F
Monday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, Apr 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Central and East Chattanooga.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Central and East Chattanooga.

  1. 1

    Start on Elizabethton Highway

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Elizabethton Highway

  2. 2

    Continue on East Main Street

    1.8 mi · 5 min · East Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn straight

    71 m · 10 sec

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Legion Street

    722 ft · 15 sec · Legion Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right

    747 ft · 18 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto James H. Quillen Parkway

    14.3 mi · 17 min · James H. Quillen Parkway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 81 South: Knoxville

    1100 ft · 38 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    56.4 mi · 1 hr

  9. 9

    Continue on I 40 West: Knoxville

    1.1 km · 45 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    52.8 mi · 59 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75 South: Chattanooga

    77.1 mi · 1 hr 23 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Secondary SR 317 West, US 11 South, US 64 West: Bonny Oaks Drive, Old Lee Highway

    1293 ft · 44 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight right

    1115 ft · 25 sec

  14. 14

    Continue on Bonny Oaks Drive

    4.8 mi · 9 min · Bonny Oaks Drive

  15. 15

    Continue on Bonny Oaks Drive

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Bonny Oaks Drive

  16. 16

    Continue on Campbell Street

    1 km · 1 min · Campbell Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Glass Street

    1824 ft · 39 sec · Glass Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto North Chamberlain Avenue

    16 m · 1 sec · North Chamberlain Avenue

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Chamberlain Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Central and East Chattanooga.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
19 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75 South
77.1 mi · 36%
I 81 South
56.6 mi · 26%
I 40 West
53.5 mi · 25%
James H. Quillen Parkway
14.3 mi · 7%
Bonny Oaks Drive
6.54 mi · 3%
East Main Street
1.79 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 75 South

Keep slight left to continue on I 75 South: Chattanooga

77.1 mi · 01h 23m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 25m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28.8 mi
187.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Knoxville
01h 42m from Central
Leave By
10:10 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Central and Partly Sunny near East Chattanooga.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Central to East Chattanooga?

The road trip is about 216.3 miles (348.1 km) and usually takes 03h 25m 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 106.4 miles from Central and 109.9 miles from East Chattanooga.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 187.5 miles (301.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.8 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:10 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.77 one way or $57.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Central and Partly Sunny near East Chattanooga.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Central and East Chattanooga. Straight-line distance: 187.52 mi (301.78 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Central

Central is a place in Tennessee, United States.

Population0
Coordinates36.3262200, -82.2895800
Altitude505
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 East Chattanooga

A neighborhood in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Population11,000
Coordinates35.0653500, -85.2491200
Altitude208
CountryUnited States
Start: Elizabethton Highway (-82.289574, 36.326169)
End: North Chamberlain Avenue (-85.249066, 35.06533)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 348 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 05m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.63 gal
28.89 L · about $28.77
Round trip
$57.55
15.26 gal · 57.78 L
Estimated CO2
67.8 kg one way
Round trip: 135.6 kg / 299 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $28.77 $57.55
Mid-grade $4.25 $32.45 $64.90
Premium $4.65 $35.51 $71.02
Diesel $5.30 $40.47 $80.94

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 · Apr 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Central and East Chattanooga. The current time is 11:39:36.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.