How far is Columbia, TN from Memphis, TN?
The driving distance from Columbia, TN to Memphis, TN is about 198.5 miles (319.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 172.8 miles (278.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 26m 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 13m.
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 Marshall County, Tennessee, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Fog
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Memphis.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Memphis.
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1
Start on West 7th Street
2718 ft · 55 sec · West 7th Street
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2
Keep slight right to continue on West 7th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · West 7th Street
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3
Continue on Hampshire Pike
16.5 mi · 20 min · Hampshire Pike
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4
Continue on Columbia Highway
13 mi · 17 min · Columbia Highway
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5
Continue on East Main Street
4.6 mi · 5 min · East Main Street
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6
Continue on Linden Highway
51.3 mi · 59 min · Linden Highway
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7
Continue on West Church Sttreet
2.2 mi · 2 min · West Church Sttreet
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8
Continue straight
10.5 mi · 12 min
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9
Turn right onto Law Road
1.3 km · 1 min · Law Road
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10
Take the exit left
1042 ft · 25 sec
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11
Merge slight left
82.3 mi · 1 hr 30 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 240 West, I 40 West: Jackson Mississippi, Little Rock
680 ft · 9 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 West: Little Rock
11.1 mi · 13 min
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14
Keep slight left
2.1 mi · 3 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Second Street, Third Street
1209 ft · 30 sec
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16
Continue on North 2nd Street
1062 ft · 31 sec · North 2nd Street
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17
Turn left onto Poplar Avenue
62 m · 4 sec · Poplar Avenue
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Poplar Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Memphis.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Law Road
Merge slight left
82.3 mi · 01h 30m
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 Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Memphis.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Memphis?
The road trip is about 198.5 miles (319.5 km) and usually takes 03h 13m 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?
Chapel Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.2 miles from Columbia and 100.2 miles from Memphis.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 172.8 miles (278.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.7 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 10:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.43 one way or $52.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Areas Of Fog around Columbia and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Memphis.
Stop Ideas Near Chapel Hill
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 Chapel Hill.
Newbern–Dyersburg
Fulton
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Memphis. Straight-line distance: 172.78 mi (278.06 km).
#1 Columbia
The county seat of Maury County, Tennessee.
| Population | 41,826 |
| Coordinates | 35.6150700, -87.0352800 |
| Altitude | 196 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Memphis
The twenty-ninth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Memphis metropolitan area.
| Population | 649,705 |
| Coordinates | 35.1495300, -90.0489800 |
| Altitude | 78 |
| Country | United States |
End: Poplar Avenue (-90.048923, 35.149674)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 319 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.43 | $52.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.81 | $59.63 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.62 | $65.25 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.18 | $74.36 |
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.