How far is Union, TN from Chattanooga, TN?

The driving distance from Union, TN to Chattanooga, TN is about 42.6 miles (68.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 28.3 miles (45.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 38m 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
42.61 mi
00h 49m
Flight
28.3 mi
45.54 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Union.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
28.3 mi
Kilometers
45.54 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
42.61 mi
Kilometers
68.58 km
Drive Time
00h 49m

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 00h 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chattanooga
Thu, Oct 15, 11:20 PM EDT
Return by in Union
Fri, Oct 16, 12:09 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Union
2026-10-15T22:31
Arrive Chattanooga
Thu, Oct 15, 11:20 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:49 AM to 10:49 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:52 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Union
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
Ooltewah
TN

Census-designated place in Hamilton County, Tennessee

From Union
21.3 mi
00h 24m
To Chattanooga
21.3 mi
00h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
This Afternoon

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 4:00 PM EDT
Wind
5 mph W
Destination
87°F
This Afternoon

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 1:00 PM EDT
Wind
5 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Union and Chattanooga.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Union and Chattanooga.

  1. 1

    Start on Hughes Lake Road Southeast

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Hughes Lake Road Southeast

  2. 2

    Turn slight left onto Spring Place Road Southeast

    8.4 mi · 15 min · Spring Place Road Southeast

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right

    900 ft · 25 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Appalachian Highway

    5.4 mi · 7 min · Appalachian Highway

  5. 5

    Take the exit left

    1530 ft · 37 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    18.4 mi · 22 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville

    1.1 km · 56 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on Chattanooga, Nashville

    5.8 mi · 8 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain

    999 ft · 15 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on US 27 North: Downtown, Lookout Mountain

    1018 ft · 16 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    1.4 mi · 2 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Downtown

    1123 ft · 26 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard

    897 ft · 30 sec · West Martin Luther King Boulevard

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Martin Luther King Boulevard

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Union and Chattanooga.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
14 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
32.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Appalachian Highway
24.1 mi · 57%
Spring Place Road Southeast
8.56 mi · 20%
I 24 West
6.44 mi · 15%
US 27 North
1.74 mi · 4%
Hughes Lake Road Southeast
1.34 mi · 3%
Downtown
0.21 mi
Longest Stretch

Appalachian Highway

Merge slight left

18.4 mi · 00h 22m

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
00h 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.3 mi
28.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ooltewah
00h 24m from Union
Leave By
4:52 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Union and Sunny near Chattanooga.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Union to Chattanooga?

The road trip is about 42.6 miles (68.6 km) and usually takes 00h 49m 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?

Ooltewah is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.3 miles from Union and 21.3 miles from Chattanooga.

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

The direct path is about 28.3 miles (45.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.3 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 4:52 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.86 one way or $11.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Union and Sunny near Chattanooga.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Union and Chattanooga. Straight-line distance: 28.3 mi (45.54 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Union

Union is a place in Tennessee, United States.

Population0
Coordinates35.0139600, -84.8110500
Altitude243
CountryUnited States
Chattanooga

#2 Chattanooga

The fourth most populous city in Tennessee.

Population184,742
Coordinates35.0456300, -85.3096800
Altitude206
CountryUnited States
Start: Hughes Lake Road Southeast (-84.81114, 35.014001)
End: West Martin Luther King Boulevard (-85.309688, 35.045753)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 69 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 51m
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
5.69 L · about $5.86
Round trip
$11.71
3 gal · 11.38 L
Estimated CO2
13.3 kg one way
Round trip: 26.7 kg / 59 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.90 $5.86 $11.71
Mid-grade $4.37 $6.55 $13.10
Premium $4.77 $7.16 $14.32
Diesel $6.00 $9.00 $18.01

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 · Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Union and Chattanooga. The current time is 22:31:11.

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.