In this article, the numerical solutions for the heat transfer flow of an upper-convected Maxwell fluid across an exponentially stretched sheet with a chemical reaction on the Cattaneo–Christov heat flux model have been investigated. Using similarity transformation, the controlling system of nonlinear partial differential equations was transformed into a system of ordinary differential equations. The resulting converted equations were solved numerically by a successive linearization method with the help of MATLAB software. A graphic representation was created to analyze the physical insights of the relevant flow characteristics. The findings were presented in the form of velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles. As the relaxation time parameter varied, the local Nusselt number increased. The thermal relaxation time was shown to have an inverse relationship with fluid temperature. Furthermore, the concentration boundary layer becomes thinner as the levels of the reaction rate parameter increase. The results of this model can be applicable in biological fluids and industrial situations. Excellent agreement exists between the analysis's findings and those of the previous studies.