How far is Bristol, TN from Columbia, TN?
The driving distance from Bristol, TN to Columbia, TN is about 333.2 miles (536.2 km), with a travel time of about 06h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 278.9 miles (448.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM EDT.
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 06h 05m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Human settlement in Cumberland County, Tennessee, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bristol and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bristol and Columbia.
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1
Start on West State Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · West State Street
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2
Continue on Gate City Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Gate City Highway
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3
Turn left
1873 ft · 46 sec
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4
Merge slight left
75.6 mi · 1 hr 21 min
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5
Continue on I 40 West: Knoxville
1.1 km · 45 sec
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6
Merge slight left
52.8 mi · 59 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Nashville
132.7 mi · 2 hr 23 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 840 West: Memphis, Murfreesboro
1.1 mi · 1 min
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9
Continue on Tennessee National Guard Parkway
44.6 mi · 48 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
1805 ft · 22 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 65 South: Huntsville
1.6 mi · 3 min
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12
Merge slight left
11.5 mi · 12 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward 412, 99: Columbia, Chapel Hill
1053 ft · 23 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on 412: Columbia
49 m · 5 sec
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15
Turn right onto Bear Creek Pike
7.1 mi · 8 min · Bear Creek Pike
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16
Turn left onto Nashville Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Nashville Highway
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17
Continue on North Garden Street
2506 ft · 58 sec · North Garden Street
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18
Turn left onto West 7th Street
24 m · 2 sec · West 7th Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 7th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bristol and Columbia.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Bristol and Sunny near Columbia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bristol to Columbia?
The road trip is about 333.2 miles (536.2 km) and usually takes 06h 05m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Crab Orchard is a useful midpoint, sitting about 166.4 miles from Bristol and 166.8 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 278.9 miles (448.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 54.3 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM EDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $44.35 one way or $88.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 104.5 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Bristol and Columbia, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Bristol and Sunny near Columbia.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bristol and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 278.86 mi (448.78 km).
#1 Bristol
City in Tennessee
| Population | 27,142 |
| Coordinates | 36.5951100, -82.1887400 |
| Altitude | 511 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Columbia
The county seat of Maury County, Tennessee.
| Population | 41,826 |
| Coordinates | 35.6150700, -87.0352800 |
| Altitude | 196 |
| Country | United States |
End: Columbia (-87.03528, 35.61507)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 536 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $44.35 | $88.69 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $50.02 | $100.03 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $54.73 | $109.46 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $62.38 | $124.75 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.