How far is Columbia, TN from Athens, TN?
The driving distance from Columbia, TN to Athens, TN is about 205.9 miles (331.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 137.8 miles (221.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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 03h 55m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Franklin County, Tennessee, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Athens.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Athens.
-
1
Start on West 7th Street
24 m · 6 sec · West 7th Street
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2
Turn right onto North Garden Street
2506 ft · 50 sec · North Garden Street
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3
Continue on Nashville Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Nashville Highway
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4
Turn right onto Bear Creek Pike
7.2 mi · 8 min · Bear Creek Pike
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5
Take the exit left
1845 ft · 45 sec
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6
Merge slight left
12.1 mi · 13 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 840: Memphis, Knoxville
1120 ft · 17 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on 840: Knoxville, Murfreesboro
2889 ft · 42 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway
21.2 mi · 23 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
1.3 km · 2 min
-
11
Merge slight left
110 mi · 2 hr 4 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Knoxville
1.4 km · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left
46.6 mi · 52 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward SR 30: Athens, Decatur
1574 ft · 29 sec
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15
Turn right onto Decatur Pike
3.2 mi · 5 min · Decatur Pike
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16
Continue on Green Street
2926 ft · 53 sec · Green Street
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17
Turn right onto Washington Avenue
766 ft · 15 sec · Washington Avenue
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Athens.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 24 East
Merge slight left
110 mi · 02h 04m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Columbia and Sunny near Athens.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Athens?
The road trip is about 205.9 miles (331.4 km) and usually takes 03h 55m 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?
Monteagle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 103 miles from Columbia and 103 miles from Athens.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 137.8 miles (221.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 68.1 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.42 one way or $54.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.6 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Columbia and Athens, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Columbia and Sunny near Athens.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Athens. Straight-line distance: 137.84 mi (221.83 km).
#1 Columbia
The county seat of Maury County, Tennessee.
| Population | 41,826 |
| Coordinates | 35.6150700, -87.0352800 |
| Altitude | 196 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Athens
Town in Tennessee, United States
| Population | 14,120 |
| Coordinates | 35.4428500, -84.5929900 |
| Altitude | 262 |
| Country | United States |
End: Athens (-84.59299, 35.44285)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 331 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $27.42 | $54.83 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $30.92 | $61.84 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $33.83 | $67.67 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $38.56 | $77.12 |
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.