How far is East Chattanooga, TN from Rutherford, TN?
The driving distance from East Chattanooga, TN to Rutherford, TN is about 297.6 miles (479 km), with a travel time of about 05h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 222.4 miles (357.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 17m 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 38m.
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.
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between East Chattanooga and Rutherford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Chattanooga and Rutherford.
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1
Start on North Chamberlain Avenue
16 m · 11 sec · North Chamberlain Avenue
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2
Turn sharp left onto Glass Street
1871 ft · 38 sec · Glass Street
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3
Turn left onto Dodson Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · Dodson Avenue
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4
Turn right onto East 3rd Street
717 ft · 22 sec · East 3rd Street
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5
Turn left onto North Willow Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · North Willow Street
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6
Turn left onto East Main Street
109 m · 8 sec · East Main Street
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7
Turn right onto South Kelley Street
2993 ft · 1 min · South Kelley Street
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8
Take the ramp right
889 ft · 22 sec
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9
Merge slight left
107.5 mi · 2 hr 1 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
1.4 km · 2 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway
53.7 mi · 58 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
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12
Merge slight left
93.6 mi · 1 hr 40 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 45: Trenton
1704 ft · 42 sec
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14
Turn right onto North Highland Avenue
4.4 mi · 8 min · North Highland Avenue
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15
Take the ramp slight right
9.8 mi · 13 min
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16
Turn right onto North Central Avenue
20.1 mi · 23 min · North Central Avenue
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17
Turn right
903 ft · 23 sec
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18
Turn left onto North Main Street
3135 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
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19
Continue on South Trenton Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · South Trenton Street
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20
Turn right onto East Main Street
32 m · 2 sec · East Main Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between East 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.
South Kelley Street
Merge slight left
108 mi · 02h 01m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving East Chattanooga and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Rutherford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from East Chattanooga to Rutherford?
The road trip is about 297.6 miles (479 km) and usually takes 05h 38m 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 148.8 miles from East Chattanooga and 148.9 miles from Rutherford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 222.4 miles (357.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 75.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:42 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.60 one way or $79.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.3 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 Rutherford, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around East Chattanooga and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers 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 East Chattanooga and Rutherford. Straight-line distance: 222.38 mi (357.89 km).
#1 East Chattanooga
A neighborhood in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
| Population | 11,000 |
| Coordinates | 35.0653500, -85.2491200 |
| Altitude | 208 |
| 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: 479 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.60 | $79.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.66 | $89.31 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $48.87 | $97.73 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $55.69 | $111.38 |
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 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.