How far is Columbia, TN from East Ridge, TN?

The driving distance from Columbia, TN to East Ridge, TN is about 271.3 miles (436.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 216.2 miles (348 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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
271.27 mi
05h 03m
Flight
216.21 mi
347.95 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Columbia.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
216.21 mi
Kilometers
347.95 km
Flight Time
00h 26m

Driving Distance

Road route
271.27 mi
Kilometers
436.57 km
Drive Time
05h 03m

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 05h 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in East Ridge
Sun, Apr 19, 12:58 PM EDT
Return by in Columbia
Sun, Apr 19, 5:01 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbia
2026-04-19T06:54
Arrive East Ridge
Sun, Apr 19, 11:58 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
12:04 PM to 2:04 PM EDT

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

Leave by
6:52 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Columbia
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Monterey
TN

Town in Tennessee, United States

From Columbia
135.5 mi
02h 31m
To East Ridge
135.8 mi
02h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph N
Destination
63°F
Sunday

Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and East Ridge.

  1. 1

    Start on West 7th Street

    24 m · 6 sec · West 7th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Garden Street

    2506 ft · 50 sec · North Garden Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Nashville Highway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Nashville Highway

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Bear Creek Pike

    7.2 mi · 8 min · Bear Creek Pike

  5. 5

    Take the exit left

    1845 ft · 45 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    12.1 mi · 13 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 840: Memphis, Knoxville

    1120 ft · 17 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on 840: Knoxville, Murfreesboro

    2889 ft · 42 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway

    45 mi · 48 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon

    1.2 km · 2 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    149.1 mi · 2 hr 42 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    36.7 mi · 41 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North: Bristol

    7.9 mi · 8 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward US 25E: Morristown, White Pine

    3193 ft · 1 min

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Davy Crockett Parkway

    7.5 mi · 9 min · Davy Crockett Parkway

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Morelock Road

    1.1 km · 3 min · Morelock Road

  17. 17

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Reeds Chapel Road

    76 m · 10 sec · Reeds Chapel Road

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Elgin Drive

    1.1 km · 3 min · Elgin Drive

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Rosa Circle

    87 m · 13 sec · Rosa Circle

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Rosa Circle

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
20 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 East
187 mi · 69%
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
45 mi · 17%
Bear Creek Pike
19.7 mi · 7%
I 81 North
7.88 mi · 3%
Davy Crockett Parkway
7.47 mi · 3%
Nashville Highway
1.36 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

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
05h 03m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+55.1 mi
216.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Monterey
02h 31m from Columbia
Leave By
6:52 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny leaving Columbia and Rain Showers near East Ridge.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Columbia to East Ridge?

The road trip is about 271.3 miles (436.6 km) and usually takes 05h 03m 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?

Monterey is a useful midpoint, sitting about 135.5 miles from Columbia and 135.8 miles from East Ridge.

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

The direct path is about 216.2 miles (348 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.1 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 6:52 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.09 one way or $72.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85 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 Ridge, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny around Columbia and Rain Showers near East Ridge.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and East Ridge. Straight-line distance: 216.21 mi (347.95 km).

Columbia

#1 Columbia

The county seat of Maury County, Tennessee.

Population41,826
Coordinates35.6150700, -87.0352800
Altitude196
CountryUnited States
East Ridge

#2 East Ridge

City in Hamilton County, Tennessee, United States of America

Population21,205
Coordinates36.2523200, -83.2512800
Altitude391
CountryUnited States
Start: Columbia (-87.03528, 35.61507)
End: East Ridge (-83.25128, 36.25232)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 437 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.57 gal
36.24 L · about $36.09
Round trip
$72.18
19.14 gal · 72.48 L
Estimated CO2
85 kg one way
Round trip: 170.1 kg / 375 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $36.09 $72.18
Mid-grade $4.25 $40.70 $81.40
Premium $4.65 $44.54 $89.08
Diesel $5.30 $50.76 $101.52

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 19, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Columbia, TN and East Ridge, TN. The current time in Columbia is 06:54:30, although it is 07:54:30 in East Ridge.

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.