How far is Chattanooga, TN from Oak Ridge, TN?

The driving distance from Chattanooga, TN to Oak Ridge, TN is about 99.2 miles (159.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 88.7 miles (142.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 01m 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
99.26 mi
02h 00m
Flight
88.68 mi
142.71 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
88.68 mi
Kilometers
142.71 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
99.26 mi
Kilometers
159.74 km
Drive Time
02h 00m

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 02h 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Oak Ridge
Wed, Apr 15, 4:54 PM EDT
Return by in Chattanooga
Wed, Apr 15, 6:54 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chattanooga
2026-04-15T14:53
Arrive Oak Ridge
Wed, Apr 15, 4:54 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:01 AM to 12:01 PM EDT

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

Leave by
2:28 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
Spring City
TN

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

From Chattanooga
49.6 mi
01h 00m
To Oak Ridge
49.6 mi
01h 00m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
56°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 3:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph S
Destination
84°F
This Afternoon

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 12:00 PM EDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chattanooga and Oak Ridge.

  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

    42.3 mi · 53 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Spring City Highway

    4.1 mi · 5 min · Spring City Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on South Gateway Avenue

    2.7 mi · 3 min · South Gateway Avenue

  7. 7

    Continue on Roane State Highway

    9.8 mi · 12 min · Roane State Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Hannah Highway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Hannah Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on Harriman Highway

    127 m · 5 sec · Harriman Highway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Harriman Highway

    9.6 mi · 11 min · Harriman Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on West Tri County Boulevard

    5.6 mi · 7 min · West Tri County Boulevard

  12. 12

    Continue on North Illinois Avenue

    1 mi · 1 min · North Illinois Avenue

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Illinois Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
13 steps
0 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
2 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Martin Luther King Boulevard
63.9 mi · 64%
Roane State Highway
9.84 mi · 10%
Harriman Highway
9.65 mi · 10%
West Tri County Boulevard
5.65 mi · 6%
Spring City Highway
4.1 mi · 4%
South Gateway Avenue
2.74 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

West Martin Luther King Boulevard

Keep slight right

42.3 mi · 00h 53m

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
02h 00m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.5 mi
88.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Spring City
01h 00m from Chattanooga
Leave By
2:28 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Cloudy leaving Chattanooga and Mostly Sunny near Oak Ridge.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Chattanooga to Oak Ridge?

The road trip is about 99.2 miles (159.7 km) and usually takes 02h 00m 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?

Spring City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.6 miles from Chattanooga and 49.6 miles from Oak Ridge.

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

The direct path is about 88.7 miles (142.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.5 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 2:28 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.20 one way or $26.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Chattanooga and Mostly Sunny near Oak Ridge.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chattanooga and Oak Ridge. Straight-line distance: 88.68 mi (142.71 km).

Chattanooga

#1 Chattanooga

The fourth most populous city in Tennessee.

Population184,742
Coordinates35.0456300, -85.3096800
Altitude206
CountryUnited States
Oak Ridge

#2 Oak Ridge

City in Tennessee, United States

Population29,340
Coordinates36.0103600, -84.2696400
Altitude259
CountryUnited States
Start: Chattanooga (-85.30968, 35.04563)
End: Oak Ridge (-84.26964, 36.01036)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 160 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.5 gal
13.26 L · about $13.20
Round trip
$26.40
7 gal · 26.52 L
Estimated CO2
31.1 kg one way
Round trip: 62.2 kg / 137 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.20 $26.40
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.89 $29.77
Premium $4.65 $16.29 $32.58
Diesel $5.30 $18.56 $37.13

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Chattanooga and Oak Ridge. The current time is 14:53:31.

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.