How far is Chattanooga, TN from Central, TN?
The driving distance from Chattanooga, TN to Central, TN is about 304.5 miles (490 km), with a travel time of about 05h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 243.7 miles (392.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 44m 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 05h 52m.
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.
Human settlement in Dickson County, Tennessee, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chattanooga and Central.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chattanooga and Central.
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1
Start on West Martin Luther King Boulevard
1761 ft · 56 sec · West Martin Luther King Boulevard
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2
Turn left
1246 ft · 31 sec
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3
Merge slight left
1.2 km · 59 sec
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4
Keep slight right to continue on 24: Nashville, Birmingham
2222 ft · 42 sec
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5
Merge slight left
104.9 mi · 1 hr 57 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
1.4 km · 2 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway
53.7 mi · 58 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
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8
Merge slight left
109.8 mi · 1 hr 58 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 70: Brownsville, Ripley
1247 ft · 32 sec
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10
Turn right onto East Main Street
9.5 mi · 14 min · East Main Street
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 5 toward West Main Street
122 m · 11 sec · West Main Street
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12
Exit the roundabout onto West Main Street
1.4 km · 1 min · West Main Street
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13
Turn right onto Haralson Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Haralson Street
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14
Turn right
15.7 mi · 23 min
-
15
Turn right onto Eastland Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · Eastland Avenue
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16
Turn right onto Highland Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · Highland Avenue
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17
Turn right onto South Jefferson Street
980 ft · 25 sec · South Jefferson Street
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18
Turn left onto South Washington Street
81 m · 7 sec · South Washington Street
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19
Turn right onto Monroe Street
140 m · 13 sec · Monroe Street
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20
Turn left onto Lake Drive
575 ft · 11 sec · Lake Drive
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21
Turn straight onto Cleveland Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · Cleveland Street
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22
Continue on Edith-Nankipoo Road
2.7 mi · 7 min · Edith-Nankipoo Road
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Edith-Nankipoo Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chattanooga and Central.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
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 Clear leaving Chattanooga and Mostly Sunny near Central.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chattanooga to Central?
The road trip is about 304.5 miles (490 km) and usually takes 05h 52m 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 152 miles from Chattanooga and 152.5 miles from Central.
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 60.8 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:16 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.54 one way or $79.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 95.4 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Chattanooga and Central, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Chattanooga and Mostly Sunny near Central.
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 Chattanooga and Central. Straight-line distance: 243.7 mi (392.2 km).
#1 Chattanooga
The fourth most populous city in Tennessee.
| Population | 184,742 |
| Coordinates | 35.0456300, -85.3096800 |
| Altitude | 206 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Central
Central is a place in Tennessee, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 35.8036900, -89.5373000 |
| Altitude | 150 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central (-89.5373, 35.80369)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 490 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.68 | $39.54 | $79.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.15 | $44.57 | $89.14 |
| Premium | $4.56 | $49.01 | $98.01 |
| Diesel | $5.90 | $63.33 | $126.67 |
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