How far is Columbia, TN from Bristol, TN?
The driving distance from Columbia, TN to Bristol, TN is about 332.9 miles (535.7 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 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 05m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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 Columbia and Bristol.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Bristol.
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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
-
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
-
9
Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway
45 mi · 48 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon
1.2 km · 2 min
-
11
Merge slight left
149.1 mi · 2 hr 42 min
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12
Keep slight left
36.7 mi · 41 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North: Bristol
76.3 mi · 1 hr 22 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 58, US 421: Bristol, Gate City
1928 ft · 47 sec
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15
Keep slight right
135 m · 11 sec
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16
Turn straight onto Gate City Highway
1.6 km · 2 min · Gate City Highway
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17
Continue on West State Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · West State Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Bristol.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 40 East
Merge slight left
149 mi · 02h 42m
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.
Sunny leaving Columbia and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Bristol.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Bristol?
The road trip is about 332.9 miles (535.7 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 166.2 miles from Columbia and 166.6 miles from Bristol.
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 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 CDT. 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 $44.31 one way or $88.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 104.4 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Columbia and Bristol, 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 Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Bristol.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Bristol. Straight-line distance: 278.86 mi (448.78 km).
#1 Columbia
The county seat of Maury County, Tennessee.
| Population | 41,826 |
| Coordinates | 35.6150700, -87.0352800 |
| Altitude | 196 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Bristol
City in Tennessee
| Population | 27,142 |
| Coordinates | 36.5951100, -82.1887400 |
| Altitude | 511 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bristol (-82.18874, 36.59511)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 536 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 32m |
| 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 | $44.31 | $88.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $49.97 | $99.95 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $54.68 | $109.37 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $62.32 | $124.64 |
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.