Chattanooga is drivable but parking is finite downtown, and a few corridors
(I-24, Hwy 153) back up at rush. Plan ahead and you'll be fine.
- Freeways: I-24 (east-west, splits downtown), I-75 (north-south), I-27
(south into downtown), Hwy 153 (north loop over the river).
- The usual pain: I-24 at the Georgia line and I-75 at the north split at
rush; downtown exit ramps on event nights.
- Mountains: Lookout and Signal have curvy, steep roads - add time in bad weather.
- CARTA buses + the free downtown electric shuttle (the "free shuttle"
loops are the best free secret in town) (gocarta.org).
Routes and current fares on
CARTA's site. Phone (423) 629-1473.
- Fares: $1.50 regular; $0.75 for seniors 65+ and people with
disabilities (with a CARTA Special Fare ID - bring Medicare card, photo
ID, or MD paperwork). Runs Mon-Sat ~5am-midnight, Sun ~10am-6pm.
- CARTA Care-A-Van (paratransit) - curb-to-curb accessible rides for
people whose disability prevents using fixed-route buses anywhere in
the city; $2.50 each way ($5 round trip), no charge for personal care
attendants. Must apply and get medical certification. Reserve next-day
or up to 2 weeks ahead: (423) 698-9038 (TDD 423-698-8418) (gocarta.org). East
Ridge residents can pick up an application at East Ridge Town Hall.
- Bike Chattanooga - the bikeshare; downtown + riverfront coverage
(bikechattanooga.com).
- Walking - downtown, the Northshore, and the riverwalk are genuinely walkable.
Do not assume a CARTA trip continues into Georgia. CARTA serves Chattanooga
and Hamilton County; for documented trips across the state line, use the
county demand-response services:
- Walker Transit: Walker County residents can reserve curb-to-curb trips
by calling (706) 375-0803 at least three days ahead. Service runs
weekdays 6:00am-5:00pm; the fare is $4 each way, and exact change is
preferred. For an out-of-county return trip, request it by 2:30pm
(Walker Transit).
- Dade County Transit: Dade County residents can request non-emergency
transportation at (706) 657-8277, weekdays 4:30am-2:00pm. Trips within
Trenton require three working days' notice; Chattanooga, Fort Oglethorpe,
and other out-of-town trips require seven. Fares are $2 each way locally
and $3 each way out of town (Dade County Transit,
fares and schedules).
These are demand-response services, not fixed-route buses. Confirm
eligibility, destination, pickup time, and return trip when booking.
- MyRide TN Southeast - free volunteer-driver rides for adults 60+ who
can walk with a walker or cane; door-through-door. Not a transit agency -
it's a volunteer escort service run by SETAAAD/SEDEV, in and around
Chattanooga. Apply/schedule: (423) 424-4201 or [email protected] (myridetnse.org).
- SETHRA rural transit (Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency) - the
demand-response bus service for the surrounding counties (not the city
CARTA system): curb-to-curb, mostly wheelchair-accessible fleet, open to
anyone. Reserve via your local SETHRA office; request 24h notice in-county,
72h out-of-county (sethratransit.org,
HQ 312 Resource Rd, Dunlap, (423) 949-2191).
- STS (Special Transportation Service) - rides for people on TennCare
(TN Care) (tn.gov/tenncare); set up with your insurance plan, no cash. City of Chattanooga
- Red Bank coverage. (423) 698-7337.
- Chattanooga VA van - free van service for veterans to VA hospitals
in Murfreesboro and Nashville (va.gov); pick-up at the Chattanooga VA Clinic (6401
Shallowford Rd), scheduled stops in Jasper/Monteagle. Book as soon as you
have an appointment date - it fills up: (423) 893-6500, ext. 27200. No
charge.
- Private NEMT (non-emergency medical transport) shuttles - for medical
appointments; wheelchair accessibility and service areas vary:
- White Oak Transportation - Marion, Bradley, and Hamilton; vans and
ambulances; (423) 498-4999.
- Initial Choice Transportation - Harrison and the surrounding
Southeast Tennessee region; (423) 541-2865.
Confirm service, accessibility, and coverage with the provider or insurer.
- Tennessee Kidney Foundation - free transport for kidney/dialysis
patients (tennesseekidneyfoundation.org).
- Lymphoma Research Foundation - travel/treatment grants for people with
a lymphoma/leukemia diagnosis; 1-800-500-9976 (lymphoma.org).
- Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga - free van rides for
Federation events and daytime appointments (jewishchattanooga.com,
(423) 493-0270, ask for Social Services).
- Parking downtown - garages, meters, and the free-zone map.
- Airport & intercity transport - CHA, Groome shuttles, Greyhound (moved to Wildwood, GA, now gone), driving to ATL/BNA.
- Cameras, tickets & towing - speed/red-light cameras, parking tickets, private vs public lots.
- CHA (Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport) - small, easy, limited direct flights (chattairport.com); connection hubs are usually ATL/CLT/DFW.
- ATL (Atlanta) ~2 hrs, BNA (Nashville) ~2 hrs - for cheaper/more flights, weigh the drive.
Last updated: September 2026 — web-verified (added official websites for phone-only resources).