How far is Columbia, TN from East Chattanooga, TN?
The driving distance from Columbia, TN to East Chattanooga, TN is about 154.2 miles (248.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 107.6 miles (173.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 32m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Tennessee
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and East Chattanooga.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and East Chattanooga.
-
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
-
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
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
1.3 km · 2 min
-
11
Merge slight left
103.1 mi · 1 hr 55 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
2163 ft · 47 sec
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13
Continue straight
1.2 km · 60 sec
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
1123 ft · 26 sec
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15
Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Boulevard
1323 ft · 50 sec · West Martin Luther King Boulevard
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16
Turn left onto Georgia Avenue
2587 ft · 1 min · Georgia Avenue
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17
Turn right onto East 4th Street
2081 ft · 35 sec · East 4th Street
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18
Turn straight
613 ft · 22 sec
-
19
Continue on Riverside Drive
1.3 mi · 2 min · Riverside Drive
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20
Turn right onto Wilcox Boulevard
1.5 km · 2 min · Wilcox Boulevard
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21
Turn left onto Dodson Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · Dodson Avenue
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22
Turn right onto Glass Street
1871 ft · 46 sec · Glass Street
-
23
Turn sharp right onto North Chamberlain Avenue
16 m · 1 sec · North Chamberlain Avenue
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Chamberlain Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and East Chattanooga.
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
103 mi · 01h 55m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Patchy Fog then Sunny leaving Columbia and Sunny near East Chattanooga.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to East Chattanooga?
The road trip is about 154.2 miles (248.2 km) and usually takes 02h 32m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Manchester is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.7 miles from Columbia and 77.5 miles from East Chattanooga.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 107.6 miles (173.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:24 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.51 one way or $41.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.3 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Columbia and East Chattanooga, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Sunny around Columbia and Sunny near East Chattanooga.
Stop Ideas Near Manchester
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Manchester.
Nashville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and East Chattanooga. Straight-line distance: 107.6 mi (173.16 km).
#1 Columbia
The county seat of Maury County, Tennessee.
| Population | 41,826 |
| Coordinates | 35.6150700, -87.0352800 |
| Altitude | 196 |
| Country | United States |
#2 East Chattanooga
A neighborhood in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
| Population | 11,000 |
| Coordinates | 35.0653500, -85.2491200 |
| Altitude | 208 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Chamberlain Avenue (-85.249066, 35.06533)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 248 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.51 | $41.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.14 | $46.27 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.32 | $50.64 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $28.85 | $57.71 |
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 · Jun 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.