How far is Chattanooga, TN from Rutherford, TN?
The driving distance from Chattanooga, TN to Rutherford, TN is about 292.4 miles (470.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 219.7 miles (353.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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 29m.
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.
Town in Williamson County, Tennessee, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chattanooga and Rutherford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chattanooga and Rutherford.
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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
93.6 mi · 1 hr 40 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 45: Trenton
1704 ft · 42 sec
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10
Turn right onto North Highland Avenue
4.4 mi · 8 min · North Highland Avenue
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11
Take the ramp slight right
9.8 mi · 13 min
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12
Turn right onto North Central Avenue
20.1 mi · 23 min · North Central Avenue
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13
Turn right
903 ft · 23 sec
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14
Turn left onto North Main Street
3135 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
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15
Continue on South Trenton Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · South Trenton Street
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16
Turn right onto East Main Street
32 m · 2 sec · East Main Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chattanooga and Rutherford.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
24
Merge slight left
105 mi · 01h 57m
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.
Sunny leaving Chattanooga and Sunny near Rutherford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chattanooga to Rutherford?
The road trip is about 292.4 miles (470.6 km) and usually takes 05h 29m 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?
Thompson's Station is a useful midpoint, sitting about 146.1 miles from Chattanooga and 146.3 miles from Rutherford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 219.7 miles (353.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 72.7 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 6:00 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.92 one way or $77.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 91.7 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Chattanooga and Rutherford, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Chattanooga and Sunny near Rutherford.
Stop Ideas Near Thompson's Station
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 Thompson's Station.
Nashville, TN
Clarksville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chattanooga and Rutherford. Straight-line distance: 219.65 mi (353.5 km).
#1 Chattanooga
The fourth most populous city in Tennessee.
| Population | 184,742 |
| Coordinates | 35.0456300, -85.3096800 |
| Altitude | 206 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Rutherford
County in Tennessee, United States
| Population | 1,064 |
| Coordinates | 36.1275700, -88.9859000 |
| Altitude | 101 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rutherford (-88.9859, 36.12757)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 471 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $38.92 | $77.83 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $43.89 | $87.78 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $48.03 | $96.06 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $54.74 | $109.47 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.