How far is Alcoa, TN from Columbia, TN?

The driving distance from Alcoa, TN to Columbia, TN is about 224.4 miles (361.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 10m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 172.2 miles (277.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
224.41 mi
04h 10m
Flight
172.19 mi
277.11 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Alcoa.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
172.19 mi
Kilometers
277.11 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
224.41 mi
Kilometers
361.15 km
Drive Time
04h 10m

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 10m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbia
Wed, Apr 15, 8:10 AM CDT
Return by in Alcoa
Wed, Apr 15, 1:21 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Alcoa
2026-04-15T04:59
Arrive Columbia
Wed, Apr 15, 9:10 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 10m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:11 AM to 11:11 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:38 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Alcoa
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Baxter
TN

Town of the United States

From Alcoa
112.1 mi
02h 05m
To Columbia
112.3 mi
02h 05m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
87°F
Wednesday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SW
Destination
62°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 2:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Alcoa and Columbia.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Alcoa and Columbia.

  1. 1

    Start on Springbrook Road

    7 m · 2 sec · Springbrook Road

  2. 2

    Continue on Springbrook Road

    24 m · 3 sec · Springbrook Road

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Springbrook Road

    29 m · 3 sec · Springbrook Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Springbrook Road

    35 m · 4 sec · Springbrook Road

  5. 5

    Continue on East Edison Street

    1240 ft · 36 sec · East Edison Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto North Wright Road

    2.1 mi · 5 min · North Wright Road

  7. 7

    Take the ramp straight

    80 m · 8 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Alcoa Highway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Alcoa Highway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 140 North

    1086 ft · 26 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Pellissippi Parkway

    11.3 mi · 13 min · Pellissippi Parkway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 40 West, I 75 South: Nashville, Chattanooga

    2411 ft · 59 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    3090 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    7.2 mi · 8 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Nashville

    132.7 mi · 2 hr 23 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I 840 West: Memphis, Murfreesboro

    1.1 mi · 1 min

  16. 16

    Continue on Tennessee National Guard Parkway

    44.6 mi · 48 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville

    1805 ft · 22 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on I 65 South: Huntsville

    1.6 mi · 3 min

  19. 19

    Merge slight left

    11.5 mi · 12 min

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward 412, 99: Columbia, Chapel Hill

    1053 ft · 23 sec

  21. 21

    Keep slight right to continue on 412: Columbia

    49 m · 5 sec

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Bear Creek Pike

    7.1 mi · 8 min · Bear Creek Pike

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Nashville Highway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Nashville Highway

  24. 24

    Continue on North Garden Street

    2506 ft · 58 sec · North Garden Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto West 7th Street

    24 m · 2 sec · West 7th Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 7th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Alcoa and Columbia.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
26 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
4 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Nashville
133 mi · 59%
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
44.6 mi · 20%
I 65 South
13.1 mi · 6%
Pellissippi Parkway
11.3 mi · 5%
I 40 West
8.2 mi · 4%
Bear Creek Pike
7.14 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Nashville

Keep slight right to continue on Nashville

133 mi · 02h 23m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 10m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+52.2 mi
172.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Baxter
02h 05m from Alcoa
Leave By
8:38 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Alcoa and Partly Cloudy near Columbia.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Alcoa to Columbia?

The road trip is about 224.4 miles (361.1 km) and usually takes 04h 10m 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?

Baxter is a useful midpoint, sitting about 112.1 miles from Alcoa and 112.3 miles from Columbia.

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

The direct path is about 172.2 miles (277.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 52.2 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 8:38 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.87 one way or $59.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.4 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Alcoa and Columbia, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Alcoa and Partly Cloudy near Columbia.

Stop Ideas Near Baxter

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Baxter, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Baxter.

BUS

Nashville, TN

101 mi away
705 5th Avenue South

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Alcoa and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 172.19 mi (277.11 km).

Alcoa

#1 Alcoa

City in Tennessee, United States

Population10,382
Coordinates35.7895300, -83.9737900
Altitude257
CountryUnited States
Columbia

#2 Columbia

The county seat of Maury County, Tennessee.

Population41,826
Coordinates35.6150700, -87.0352800
Altitude196
CountryUnited States
Start: Alcoa (-83.97379, 35.78953)
End: Columbia (-87.03528, 35.61507)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 361 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 28m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 44m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 12m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.92 gal
29.98 L · about $29.87
Round trip
$59.73
15.84 gal · 59.96 L
Estimated CO2
70.4 kg one way
Round trip: 140.8 kg / 310 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $29.87 $59.73
Mid-grade $4.25 $33.68 $67.37
Premium $4.65 $36.86 $73.72
Diesel $5.30 $42.01 $84.02

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 · Apr 15, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Alcoa, TN and Columbia, TN. The current time in Alcoa is 04:59:58, although it is 03:59:58 in Columbia.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.