How far is East Chattanooga, TN from Columbia, TN?
The driving distance from East Chattanooga, TN to Columbia, TN is about 156.2 miles (251.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 107.6 miles (173.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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 03h 00m.
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.
Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between East Chattanooga and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Chattanooga and Columbia.
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1
Start on North Chamberlain Avenue
16 m · 11 sec · North Chamberlain Avenue
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2
Turn sharp left onto Glass Street
1871 ft · 38 sec · Glass Street
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3
Turn left onto Dodson Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · Dodson Avenue
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4
Turn right onto East 3rd Street
717 ft · 22 sec · East 3rd Street
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5
Turn left onto North Willow Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · North Willow Street
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6
Turn left onto East Main Street
109 m · 8 sec · East Main Street
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7
Turn right onto South Kelley Street
2993 ft · 1 min · South Kelley Street
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8
Take the ramp right
889 ft · 22 sec
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9
Merge slight left
107.5 mi · 2 hr 1 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
1.4 km · 2 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway
20.8 mi · 22 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
1805 ft · 22 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 65 South: Huntsville
1.6 mi · 3 min
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14
Merge slight left
11.5 mi · 12 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward 412, 99: Columbia, Chapel Hill
1053 ft · 23 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on 412: Columbia
49 m · 5 sec
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17
Turn right onto Bear Creek Pike
7.1 mi · 8 min · Bear Creek Pike
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18
Turn left onto Nashville Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Nashville Highway
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19
Continue on North Garden Street
2506 ft · 58 sec · North Garden Street
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20
Turn left onto West 7th Street
24 m · 2 sec · West 7th Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 7th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between East Chattanooga and Columbia.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
South Kelley Street
Merge slight left
108 mi · 02h 01m
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.
Rain Showers then Partly Sunny leaving East Chattanooga and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Columbia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from East Chattanooga to Columbia?
The road trip is about 156.2 miles (251.3 km) and usually takes 03h 00m 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 78 miles from East Chattanooga and 78.1 miles from Columbia.
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 48.6 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:30 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.78 one way or $41.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between East Chattanooga and Columbia, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers then Partly Sunny around East Chattanooga and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Columbia.
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 East Chattanooga and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 107.6 mi (173.16 km).
#1 East Chattanooga
A neighborhood in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
| Population | 11,000 |
| Coordinates | 35.0653500, -85.2491200 |
| Altitude | 208 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Columbia
The county seat of Maury County, Tennessee.
| Population | 41,826 |
| Coordinates | 35.6150700, -87.0352800 |
| Altitude | 196 |
| Country | United States |
End: Columbia (-87.03528, 35.61507)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 251 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.78 | $41.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.43 | $46.87 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.64 | $51.29 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.23 | $58.45 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.