How far is Rutherford, TN from East Chattanooga, TN?
The driving distance from Rutherford, TN to East Chattanooga, TN is about 286.1 miles (460.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 222.4 miles (357.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 24m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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 04h 42m.
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 then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rutherford and East Chattanooga.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rutherford and East Chattanooga.
-
1
Start on East Main Street
32 m · 7 sec · East Main Street
-
2
Turn left onto South Trenton Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · South Trenton Street
-
3
Continue on North Main Street
3135 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
-
4
Turn right
903 ft · 18 sec
-
5
Turn left
20.1 mi · 23 min
-
6
Turn left
14.6 mi · 19 min
-
7
Take the exit slight left
1480 ft · 39 sec
-
8
Merge slight left
95.6 mi · 1 hr 43 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 840 East: Knoxville, Franklin
1.1 km · 1 min
-
10
Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway
52.2 mi · 56 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
1.3 km · 2 min
-
12
Merge slight left
103.1 mi · 1 hr 55 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
2163 ft · 47 sec
-
14
Continue straight
1.2 km · 60 sec
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
1123 ft · 26 sec
-
16
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
1323 ft · 50 sec · West Martin Luther King Boulevard
-
17
Turn left onto Georgia Avenue
2587 ft · 1 min · Georgia Avenue
-
18
Turn right onto East 4th Street
2081 ft · 35 sec · East 4th Street
-
19
Turn straight
613 ft · 22 sec
-
20
Continue on Riverside Drive
1.3 mi · 2 min · Riverside Drive
-
21
Turn right onto Wilcox Boulevard
1.5 km · 2 min · Wilcox Boulevard
-
22
Turn left onto Dodson Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · Dodson Avenue
-
23
Turn right onto Glass Street
1871 ft · 46 sec · Glass Street
-
24
Turn sharp right onto North Chamberlain Avenue
16 m · 1 sec · North Chamberlain Avenue
-
25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Chamberlain Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rutherford and East Chattanooga.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 24 East
Merge slight left
103 mi · 01h 55m
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 then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Rutherford and Mostly Cloudy near East Chattanooga.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rutherford to East Chattanooga?
The road trip is about 286.1 miles (460.4 km) and usually takes 04h 42m 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 148.2 miles from Rutherford and 137.9 miles from East Chattanooga.
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 63.7 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.05 one way or $76.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.7 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Rutherford and East Chattanooga, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Rutherford and Mostly Cloudy near East Chattanooga.
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 Rutherford and East Chattanooga. Straight-line distance: 222.38 mi (357.89 km).
#1 Rutherford
County in Tennessee, United States
| Population | 1,064 |
| Coordinates | 36.1275700, -88.9859000 |
| Altitude | 101 |
| Country | United States |
#2 East Chattanooga
A neighborhood in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
| Population | 11,000 |
| Coordinates | 35.0653500, -85.2491200 |
| Altitude | 208 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Chamberlain Avenue (-85.249066, 35.06533)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 460 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $38.05 | $76.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.91 | $85.83 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $46.96 | $93.92 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $53.52 | $107.03 |
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 · 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.