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

The estimated driving distance from East Chattanooga, TN to Dickson, TN is about 173.8 miles (279.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 36m by car.

  • This page is using an estimated road distance while the full route geometry is refreshed.
  • The straight-line flight distance is about 139.1 miles (223.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Road route is being refreshed. This page currently uses an estimated driving distance until a routing provider returns the full road geometry.
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
173.79 mi
03h 36m · estimated
Flight
139.03 mi
223.75 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from East Chattanooga.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
139.03 mi
Kilometers
223.75 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Estimated road route
173.79 mi
Estimated
Kilometers
279.69 km
Drive Time
03h 36m

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 03h 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Dickson
Sat, Apr 11, 6:43 AM CDT
Return by in East Chattanooga
Sat, Apr 11, 11:20 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave East Chattanooga
2026-04-11T04:06
Arrive Dickson
Sat, Apr 11, 7:43 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
8:37 AM to 10:37 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:46 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in East 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
Bell Buckle
TN

Town in Tennessee

From East Chattanooga
69.5 mi
01h 48m
To Dickson
104.3 mi
01h 48m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 mph
Destination
83°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 mph

Driving Route Map

Road route is being refreshed. This page currently uses an estimated driving distance.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Turn-by-turn directions will appear after the road route is refreshed. The current distance is an estimate.

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
03h 36m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+34.7 mi
139.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bell Buckle
01h 48m from East Chattanooga
Leave By
9:46 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving East Chattanooga and Sunny near Dickson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from East Chattanooga to Dickson?

The road trip is about 173.8 miles (279.7 km) and usually takes 03h 36m 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?

Bell Buckle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.5 miles from East Chattanooga and 104.3 miles from Dickson.

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

The direct path is about 139.1 miles (223.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.7 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 9:46 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.12 one way or $46.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.5 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

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

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around East Chattanooga and Sunny near Dickson.

Stop Ideas Near Bell Buckle

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

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

BUS

Nashville, TN

73 mi away
705 5th Avenue South

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between East Chattanooga and Dickson. Straight-line distance: 139.03 mi (223.75 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 East Chattanooga

A neighborhood in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Population11,000
Coordinates35.0653500, -85.2491200
Altitude208
CountryUnited States
Dickson

#2 Dickson

City in Tennessee, USA

Population15,543
Coordinates36.0770000, -87.3877900
Altitude245
CountryUnited States
Start: East Chattanooga (-85.24912, 35.06535)
End: Dickson (-87.38779, 36.077)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 280 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 20m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 10m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.13 gal
23.21 L · about $23.12
Round trip
$46.23
12.26 gal · 46.42 L
Estimated CO2
54.5 kg one way
Round trip: 109 kg / 240 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.12 $46.23
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.07 $52.14
Premium $4.65 $28.53 $57.06
Diesel $5.30 $32.51 $65.03

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 11, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between East Chattanooga, TN and Dickson, TN. The current time in East Chattanooga is 04:06:29, although it is 03:06:29 in Dickson.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.