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

The driving distance from East Ridge, TN to Columbia, TN is about 270.7 miles (435.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 216.2 miles (348 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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
270.73 mi
05h 02m
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 East Ridge.

Flight Distance

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

Driving Distance

Road route
270.73 mi
Kilometers
435.7 km
Drive Time
05h 02m

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 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbia
Sun, Apr 19, 10:26 AM CDT
Return by in East Ridge
Sun, Apr 19, 4:28 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave East Ridge
2026-04-19T06:24
Arrive Columbia
Sun, Apr 19, 11:26 AM EDT
Route Timing
05h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:02 AM to 12:02 PM CDT

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

Leave by
6:56 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in East Ridge
9:00 PM EDT
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 East Ridge
135.2 mi
02h 31m
To Columbia
135.5 mi
02h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Sunday

Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW
Destination
68°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Rosa Circle

    87 m · 13 sec · Rosa Circle

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Elgin Drive

    1.1 km · 3 min · Elgin Drive

  3. 3

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

    76 m · 11 sec · Reeds Chapel Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Morelock Road

    1.1 km · 3 min · Morelock Road

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Davy Crockett Parkway

    7.1 mi · 9 min · Davy Crockett Parkway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right

    2662 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    7.1 mi · 8 min

  8. 8

    Continue on I 40 West: Knoxville

    1.1 km · 45 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    52.8 mi · 59 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Nashville

    132.7 mi · 2 hr 23 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 840 West: Memphis, Murfreesboro

    1.1 mi · 1 min

  12. 12

    Continue on Tennessee National Guard Parkway

    44.6 mi · 48 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville

    1805 ft · 22 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on I 65 South: Huntsville

    1.6 mi · 3 min

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    11.5 mi · 12 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward 412, 99: Columbia, Chapel Hill

    1053 ft · 23 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on 412: Columbia

    49 m · 5 sec

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Bear Creek Pike

    7.1 mi · 8 min · Bear Creek Pike

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Nashville Highway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Nashville Highway

  20. 20

    Continue on North Garden Street

    2506 ft · 58 sec · North Garden Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto West 7th Street

    24 m · 2 sec · West 7th Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 7th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
22 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Nashville
133 mi · 49%
I 40 West
53.5 mi · 20%
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
44.6 mi · 16%
Davy Crockett Parkway
14.6 mi · 5%
I 65 South
13.1 mi · 5%
Bear Creek Pike
7.14 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Nashville

Keep slight right to continue on Nashville

133 mi · 02h 23m

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 02m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+54.5 mi
216.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Monterey
02h 31m from East Ridge
Leave By
6:56 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Rain Showers leaving East Ridge 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 Ridge to Columbia?

The road trip is about 270.7 miles (435.7 km) and usually takes 05h 02m 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 135.2 miles from East Ridge and 135.5 miles from Columbia.

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 54.5 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:56 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.01 one way or $72.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.9 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between East Ridge 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 around East Ridge and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Columbia.

Flight Path Map

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

East Ridge

#1 East Ridge

City in Hamilton County, Tennessee, United States of America

Population21,205
Coordinates36.2523200, -83.2512800
Altitude391
CountryUnited States
Columbia

#2 Columbia

The county seat of Maury County, Tennessee.

Population41,826
Coordinates35.6150700, -87.0352800
Altitude196
CountryUnited States
Start: East Ridge (-83.25128, 36.25232)
End: Columbia (-87.03528, 35.61507)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 436 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 22m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.55 gal
36.16 L · about $36.01
Round trip
$72.03
19.1 gal · 72.32 L
Estimated CO2
84.9 kg one way
Round trip: 169.7 kg / 374 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $36.01 $72.03
Mid-grade $4.25 $40.62 $81.23
Premium $4.65 $44.45 $88.89
Diesel $5.30 $50.65 $101.31

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 East Ridge, TN and Columbia, TN. The current time in East Ridge is 06:24:24, although it is 05:24:24 in Columbia.

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.