How far is Chattanooga, TN from Bells, TN?

The driving distance from Chattanooga, TN to Bells, TN is about 272 miles (437.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 217.7 miles (350.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 04m 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
271.99 mi
05h 02m
Flight
217.72 mi
350.39 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Chattanooga.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
217.72 mi
Kilometers
350.39 km
Flight Time
00h 26m

Driving Distance

Road route
271.99 mi
Kilometers
437.72 km
Drive Time
05h 02m

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 05h 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bells
Fri, Apr 10, 9:54 PM CDT
Return by in Chattanooga
Sat, Apr 11, 3:56 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chattanooga
2026-04-10T17:52
Arrive Bells
Fri, Apr 10, 10:54 PM EDT
Route Timing
05h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:02 AM to 12:02 PM CDT

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

Leave by
6:56 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Chattanooga
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
Thompson's Station
TN

Town in Williamson County, Tennessee, United States

From Chattanooga
135.9 mi
02h 31m
To Bells
136.1 mi
02h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 10 2:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SW
Destination
82°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 10 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chattanooga and Bells.

  1. 1

    Start on West Martin Luther King Boulevard

    1761 ft · 56 sec · West Martin Luther King Boulevard

  2. 2

    Turn left

    1246 ft · 31 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    1.2 km · 59 sec

  4. 4

    Keep slight right to continue on 24: Nashville, Birmingham

    2222 ft · 42 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    104.9 mi · 1 hr 57 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin

    1.4 km · 2 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway

    53.7 mi · 58 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    96.4 mi · 1 hr 44 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg

    1308 ft · 32 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg

    82 m · 7 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on US 412 West: Alamo, Dyersburg

    12.2 mi · 15 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 70A West, US 79 South: Bells, Brownsville

    778 ft · 33 sec

  13. 13

    Turn straight

    1.8 mi · 3 min

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · High Street

Car Route Details

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

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
14 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
4 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
150 mi · 55%
24
105 mi · 39%
US 412 West
12.5 mi · 5%
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.05 mi
I 840 West
0.86 mi
US 70A West
0.15 mi
Longest Stretch

24

Merge slight left

105 mi · 01h 57m

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
05h 02m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+54.3 mi
217.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Thompson's Station
02h 31m from Chattanooga
Leave By
6:56 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Chattanooga and Mostly Sunny near Bells.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Chattanooga to Bells?

The road trip is about 272 miles (437.7 km) and usually takes 05h 02m 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?

Thompson's Station is a useful midpoint, sitting about 135.9 miles from Chattanooga and 136.1 miles from Bells.

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

The direct path is about 217.7 miles (350.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 54.3 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 6:56 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.20 one way or $72.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.3 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Chattanooga and Bells, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Chattanooga and Mostly Sunny near Bells.

Stop Ideas Near Thompson's Station

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Thompson's Station, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Thompson's Station.

BUS

Nashville, TN

41 mi away
705 5th Avenue South
BUS

Clarksville, TN

91 mi away
11 Jefferson Street \r\n

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chattanooga and Bells. Straight-line distance: 217.72 mi (350.39 km).

Chattanooga

#1 Chattanooga

The fourth most populous city in Tennessee.

Population184,742
Coordinates35.0456300, -85.3096800
Altitude206
CountryUnited States
Bells

#2 Bells

City in Tennessee, USA

Population2,435
Coordinates35.7111800, -89.0875600
Altitude99
CountryUnited States
Start: Chattanooga (-85.30968, 35.04563)
End: Bells (-89.08756, 35.71118)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 438 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 03m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 53m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.6 gal
36.33 L · about $36.20
Round trip
$72.40
19.2 gal · 72.66 L
Estimated CO2
85.3 kg one way
Round trip: 170.6 kg / 376 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $36.20 $72.40
Mid-grade $4.25 $40.83 $81.66
Premium $4.65 $44.68 $89.36
Diesel $5.30 $50.92 $101.84

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 10, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Chattanooga, TN and Bells, TN. The current time in Chattanooga is 17:52:08, although it is 16:52:08 in Bells.

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.