How far is Chattanooga, TN from Lakeland, TN?

The driving distance from Chattanooga, TN to Lakeland, TN is about 317 miles (510.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 250.7 miles (403.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 37m 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
317.05 mi
05h 48m
Flight
250.65 mi
403.38 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
250.65 mi
Kilometers
403.38 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
317.05 mi
Kilometers
510.25 km
Drive Time
05h 48m

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 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lakeland
Tue, Jun 2, 1:56 PM CDT
Return by in Chattanooga
Tue, Jun 2, 8:45 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chattanooga
2026-06-02T09:07
Arrive Lakeland
Tue, Jun 2, 2:56 PM EDT
Route Timing
05h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:49 AM to 12:49 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
5:22 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
Burns
TN

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

From Chattanooga
158.4 mi
02h 54m
To Lakeland
158.6 mi
02h 54m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Tuesday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, Jun 2 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NE
Destination
84°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, Jun 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    155.2 mi · 2 hr 47 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Canada Road, Lakeland

    883 ft · 22 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Canada Road North

    131 m · 10 sec

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto Canada Road

    2312 ft · 56 sec · Canada Road

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Leeward Slopes Lane

    70 m · 10 sec · Leeward Slopes Lane

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Leeward Slopes Lane

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
13 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
4 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
4.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
209 mi · 66%
24
105 mi · 33%
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.05 mi
I 840 West
0.86 mi
Canada Road
0.61 mi
Canada Road North
0.08 mi
Longest Stretch

Tennessee National Guard Parkway

Merge slight left

155 mi · 02h 47m

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 48m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+66.3 mi
250.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Burns
02h 54m from Chattanooga
Leave By
5:22 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Chattanooga and Mostly Sunny near Lakeland.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 317 miles (510.2 km) and usually takes 05h 48m 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 158.4 miles from Chattanooga and 158.6 miles from Lakeland.

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

The direct path is about 250.7 miles (403.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 66.3 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 5:22 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.20 one way or $84.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.4 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

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

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around Chattanooga and Mostly Sunny near Lakeland.

Stop Ideas Near Burns

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Burns, 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 Burns.

BUS

Nashville, TN

50 mi away
705 5th Avenue South
BUS

Clarksville, TN

53 mi away
11 Jefferson Street \r\n

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chattanooga and Lakeland. Straight-line distance: 250.65 mi (403.38 km).

Chattanooga

#1 Chattanooga

The fourth most populous city in Tennessee.

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

#2 Lakeland

City in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States

Population12,657
Coordinates35.2306400, -89.7403600
Altitude121
CountryUnited States
Start: Chattanooga (-85.30968, 35.04563)
End: Lakeland (-89.74036, 35.23064)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 510 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 20m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 17m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
11.19 gal
42.35 L · about $42.20
Round trip
$84.39
22.38 gal · 84.7 L
Estimated CO2
99.4 kg one way
Round trip: 198.9 kg / 438 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $42.20 $84.39
Mid-grade $4.25 $47.59 $95.18
Premium $4.65 $52.08 $104.16
Diesel $5.30 $59.35 $118.70

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 02, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Chattanooga, TN and Lakeland, TN. The current time in Chattanooga is 09:07:55, although it is 08:07:55 in Lakeland.

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.