How far is Central, TN from Chattanooga, TN?
The driving distance from Central, TN to Chattanooga, TN is about 299.6 miles (482.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 243.7 miles (392.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST.
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 04h 43m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Human settlement in Dickson County, Tennessee, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly 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 Edith-Nankipoo Road
2.7 mi · 7 min · Edith-Nankipoo Road
-
2
Continue on Cleveland Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · Cleveland Street
-
3
Continue on Lake Drive
575 ft · 12 sec · Lake Drive
-
4
Turn right onto Monroe Street
140 m · 14 sec · Monroe Street
-
5
Turn left onto South Washington Street
81 m · 7 sec · South Washington Street
-
6
Turn right onto South Jefferson Street
980 ft · 25 sec · South Jefferson Street
-
7
At the end of the road, turn left onto Highland Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · Highland Avenue
-
8
Turn left onto Eastland Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · Eastland Avenue
-
9
Turn left
15.7 mi · 23 min
-
10
Turn left onto Haralson Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Haralson Street
-
11
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Main Street
1.4 km · 1 min · West Main Street
-
12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward East Main Street
120 m · 7 sec · East Main Street
-
13
Exit the roundabout onto East Main Street
9.7 mi · 14 min · East Main Street
-
14
Turn left onto US 70: Fort Pillow State Historic Park
784 ft · 17 sec
-
15
Merge slight left
110.2 mi · 1 hr 58 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
1.1 km · 1 min
-
17
Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway
52.2 mi · 56 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
1.3 km · 2 min
-
19
Merge slight left
103.1 mi · 1 hr 55 min
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
2163 ft · 47 sec
-
21
Continue straight
1.2 km · 60 sec
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
1123 ft · 26 sec
-
23
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
897 ft · 30 sec · West Martin Luther King Boulevard
-
24
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.
US 70
Merge slight left
110 mi · 01h 58m
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.
Mostly 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 299.6 miles (482.2 km) and usually takes 04h 43m 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?
Burns is a useful midpoint, sitting about 150.9 miles from Central and 148.8 miles from Chattanooga.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 243.7 miles (392.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.9 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:32 AM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.92 one way or $77.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.9 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Central and Chattanooga, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Central and Mostly Clear near Chattanooga.
Stop Ideas Near Burns
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 Burns.
Nashville, TN
Clarksville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Central and Chattanooga. Straight-line distance: 243.7 mi (392.2 km).
#1 Central
Central is a place in Tennessee, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 35.8036900, -89.5373000 |
| Altitude | 150 |
| 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: 482 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.68 | $38.92 | $77.84 |
| Mid-grade | $4.15 | $43.87 | $87.73 |
| Premium | $4.56 | $48.23 | $96.46 |
| Diesel | $5.90 | $62.33 | $124.66 |
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