How far is Columbia, TN from Johnson City, TN?
The driving distance from Columbia, TN to Johnson City, TN is about 325.8 miles (524.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 266.2 miles (428.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 35m 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 04h 47m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Areas Of Fog
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Johnson City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Johnson City.
-
1
Start on West 7th Street
24 m · 6 sec · West 7th Street
-
2
Turn right onto North Garden Street
2506 ft · 50 sec · North Garden Street
-
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
-
5
Take the exit left
1845 ft · 45 sec
-
6
Merge slight left
12.1 mi · 13 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 840: Memphis, Knoxville
1120 ft · 17 sec
-
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
-
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
-
12
Keep slight left
36.7 mi · 41 min
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on I 81 North: Bristol
56.6 mi · 1 hr 1 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville
2112 ft · 40 sec
-
15
Merge slight left onto James H. Quillen Parkway
14 mi · 17 min · James H. Quillen Parkway
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward TN 91
614 ft · 15 sec
-
17
Turn right onto East Market Street
1705 ft · 38 sec · East Market Street
-
18
Turn left onto Buffalo Street
977 ft · 32 sec · Buffalo Street
-
19
Turn right
132 m · 32 sec
-
20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Johnson City.
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.
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.
Areas Of Fog leaving Columbia and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Johnson City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Johnson City?
The road trip is about 325.8 miles (524.3 km) and usually takes 04h 47m 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?
Crab Orchard is a useful midpoint, sitting about 162.6 miles from Columbia and 163.2 miles from Johnson City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 266.2 miles (428.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 59.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:24 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.37 one way or $86.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 102.2 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Columbia and Johnson City, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Areas Of Fog around Columbia and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Johnson City.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Johnson City. Straight-line distance: 266.2 mi (428.41 km).
#1 Columbia
The county seat of Maury County, Tennessee.
| Population | 41,826 |
| Coordinates | 35.6150700, -87.0352800 |
| Altitude | 196 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Johnson City
The most populous city in Washington County, Tennessee.
| Population | 66,906 |
| Coordinates | 36.3134400, -82.3534700 |
| Altitude | 498 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cherry Street (-82.353659, 36.313645)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 524 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $43.37 | $86.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $48.91 | $97.82 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $53.52 | $107.04 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $61.00 | $121.99 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.