How far is Chattanooga, TN from Bristol, TN?

The driving distance from Chattanooga, TN to Bristol, TN is about 223.1 miles (359.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 10m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 205 miles (329.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 20m 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
223.12 mi
04h 10m
Flight
205 mi
329.92 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
205 mi
Kilometers
329.92 km
Flight Time
00h 24m

Driving Distance

Road route
223.12 mi
Kilometers
359.08 km
Drive Time
04h 10m

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 10m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bristol
Thu, Jun 25, 8:30 AM EDT
Return by in Chattanooga
Thu, Jun 25, 12:40 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chattanooga
2026-06-25T04:20
Arrive Bristol
Thu, Jun 25, 8:30 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 10m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:10 AM to 12:10 PM EDT

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

Leave by
8:40 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
Knoxville
TN

The most populous city in Tennessee.

From Chattanooga
111.5 mi
02h 05m
To Bristol
111.7 mi
02h 05m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
87°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Jun 25 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SE
Destination
83°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Jun 25 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Martin Luther King Boulevard

    24 m · 6 sec · West Martin Luther King Boulevard

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Market Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Market Street

  3. 3

    Turn left

    1378 ft · 23 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    5.8 mi · 8 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Knoxville

    1.4 km · 1 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    99.2 mi · 1 hr 50 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    36.7 mi · 41 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North: Bristol

    76.3 mi · 1 hr 22 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 58, US 421: Bristol, Gate City

    1928 ft · 47 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right

    135 m · 12 sec

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto Gate City Highway

    1.6 km · 2 min · Gate City Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on West State Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · West State Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West State Street

Car Route Details

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

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
13 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
2 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75 North
137 mi · 61%
I 81 North
76.3 mi · 34%
Market Street
7.02 mi · 3%
West State Street
1.23 mi · 1%
Gate City Highway
1 mi
US 58
0.45 mi
Longest Stretch

I 75 North

Merge slight left

99.2 mi · 01h 50m

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
04h 10m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.1 mi
205 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Knoxville
02h 05m from Chattanooga
Leave By
8:40 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Chattanooga and Sunny near Bristol.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 223.1 miles (359.1 km) and usually takes 04h 10m 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 111.5 miles from Chattanooga and 111.7 miles from Bristol.

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

The direct path is about 205 miles (329.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.1 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 8:40 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.68 one way or $59.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chattanooga and Bristol. Straight-line distance: 205 mi (329.92 km).

Chattanooga

#1 Chattanooga

The fourth most populous city in Tennessee.

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

#2 Bristol

City in Tennessee

Population27,142
Coordinates36.5951100, -82.1887400
Altitude511
CountryUnited States
Start: Chattanooga (-85.30968, 35.04563)
End: Bristol (-82.18874, 36.59511)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 359 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 34m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 43m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 11m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.87 gal
29.8 L · about $29.68
Round trip
$59.36
15.74 gal · 59.6 L
Estimated CO2
69.9 kg one way
Round trip: 139.9 kg / 308 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $29.68 $59.36
Mid-grade $4.25 $33.47 $66.94
Premium $4.65 $36.63 $73.25
Diesel $5.30 $41.74 $83.48

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 · Jun 25, 2026

There is no time difference between Chattanooga and Bristol. The current time is 04:20:22.

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.