How far is East Chattanooga, TN from Decatur, TN?

The driving distance from East Chattanooga, TN to Decatur, TN is about 42.5 miles (68.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 04m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 40.5 miles (65.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 09m 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
42.5 mi
01h 04m
Flight
40.43 mi
65.06 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from East Chattanooga.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
40.43 mi
Kilometers
65.06 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
42.5 mi
Kilometers
68.39 km
Drive Time
01h 04m

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 04m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Decatur
Sat, May 30, 4:32 AM EDT
Return by in East Chattanooga
Sat, May 30, 5:37 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave East Chattanooga
2026-05-30T03:28
Arrive Decatur
Sat, May 30, 4:32 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 04m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:05 AM to 11:05 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:20 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in East 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
Lakesite
TN

City in Hamilton County, Tennessee, United States of America

From East Chattanooga
21.3 mi
00h 32m
To Decatur
21.3 mi
00h 32m

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 East Chattanooga and Decatur.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Chamberlain Avenue

    16 m · 4 sec · North Chamberlain Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Glass Street

    1824 ft · 41 sec · Glass Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Campbell Street

    1 km · 1 min · Campbell Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Bonny Oaks Drive

    41.5 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Bonny Oaks Drive

  5. 5

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Highway 58

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between East 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
5 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Bonny Oaks Drive
41.5 mi · 98%
Campbell Street
0.63 mi · 1%
Glass Street
0.35 mi · 1%
North Chamberlain Avenue
0.01 mi
Longest Stretch

Bonny Oaks Drive

Continue on Bonny Oaks Drive

41.5 mi · 01h 03m

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 04m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+2 mi
40.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lakesite
00h 32m from East Chattanooga
Leave By
4:20 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving East 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 East Chattanooga to Decatur?

The road trip is about 42.5 miles (68.4 km) and usually takes 01h 04m 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?

Lakesite is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.3 miles from East Chattanooga and 21.3 miles from Decatur.

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

The direct path is about 40.5 miles (65.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 2 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 4:20 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.66 one way or $11.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between East Chattanooga and Decatur. Straight-line distance: 40.43 mi (65.06 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 East Chattanooga

A neighborhood in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Population11,000
Coordinates35.0653500, -85.2491200
Altitude208
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: East Chattanooga (-85.24912, 35.06535)
End: Decatur (-84.79022, 35.51479)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 68 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 50m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.5 gal
5.68 L · about $5.66
Round trip
$11.31
3 gal · 11.36 L
Estimated CO2
13.3 kg one way
Round trip: 26.7 kg / 59 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $5.66 $11.31
Mid-grade $4.25 $6.38 $12.76
Premium $4.65 $6.98 $13.96
Diesel $5.30 $7.96 $15.91

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 East Chattanooga and Decatur. The current time is 03:28:04.

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.