How far is Chattanooga, TN from Decatur, TN?

The driving distance from Chattanooga, TN to Decatur, TN is about 52.1 miles (83.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 43.7 miles (70.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
52.09 mi
01h 07m
Flight
43.69 mi
70.32 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Chattanooga.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
43.69 mi
Kilometers
70.32 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
52.09 mi
Kilometers
83.83 km
Drive Time
01h 07m

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 01h 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Decatur
Sat, May 30, 3:19 AM EDT
Return by in Chattanooga
Sat, May 30, 4:26 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chattanooga
2026-05-30T02:11
Arrive Decatur
Sat, May 30, 3:19 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:08 AM to 11:08 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:14 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Chattanooga
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Graysville
TN

Town in Rhea County, Tennessee, United States

From Chattanooga
26 mi
00h 33m
To Decatur
26 mi
00h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph E
Destination
79°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Martin Luther King Boulevard

    990 ft · 32 sec · West Martin Luther King Boulevard

  2. 2

    Take the ramp straight

    1.2 km · 2 min

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    20.6 mi · 24 min

  4. 4

    Keep slight right

    16.2 mi · 19 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit right

    39 m · 4 sec

  6. 6

    Continue on Washington Street

    114 m · 8 sec · Washington Street

  7. 7

    Continue on Old Washington Highway

    8 mi · 12 min · Old Washington Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on William Jennings Bryan Highway

    5.7 mi · 8 min · William Jennings Bryan Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on Decatur Pike

    2408 ft · 45 sec · Decatur Pike

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Highway 58

    830 ft · 16 sec · Highway 58

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Highway 58

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
11 steps
1 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
37.7 mi · 72%
Old Washington Highway
7.99 mi · 15%
William Jennings Bryan Highway
5.69 mi · 11%
Decatur Pike
0.46 mi · 1%
Highway 58
0.16 mi
Washington Street
0.07 mi
Longest Stretch

West Martin Luther King Boulevard

Merge slight left

20.6 mi · 00h 24m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 07m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.4 mi
43.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Graysville
00h 33m from Chattanooga
Leave By
4:14 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Chattanooga and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Decatur.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 52.1 miles (83.8 km) and usually takes 01h 07m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Graysville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26 miles from Chattanooga and 26 miles from Decatur.

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

The direct path is about 43.7 miles (70.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:14 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.94 one way or $13.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Chattanooga and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Decatur.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chattanooga and Decatur. Straight-line distance: 43.69 mi (70.32 km).

Chattanooga

#1 Chattanooga

The fourth most populous city in Tennessee.

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

#2 Decatur

Human settlement in Meigs County, Tennessee, United States of America

Population1,663
Coordinates35.5147900, -84.7902200
Altitude237
CountryUnited States
Start: Chattanooga (-85.30968, 35.04563)
End: Decatur (-84.79022, 35.51479)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 84 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.84 gal
6.96 L · about $6.94
Round trip
$13.88
3.68 gal · 13.92 L
Estimated CO2
16.4 kg one way
Round trip: 32.7 kg / 72 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.94 $13.88
Mid-grade $4.25 $7.83 $15.65
Premium $4.65 $8.56 $17.13
Diesel $5.30 $9.76 $19.52

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 · May 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Chattanooga and Decatur. The current time is 02:11:12.

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.