How far is East Ridge, TN from Columbia, TN?
The driving distance from East Ridge, TN to Columbia, TN is about 161.3 miles (259.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 108.8 miles (175.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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 05m.
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.
City in Tennessee
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
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.
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1
Start on the route
2.1 mi · 3 min
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2
Keep slight right to continue on I 75 South: Atlanta
2869 ft · 49 sec
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3
Merge slight left
2681 ft · 45 sec
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4
Take the exit slight right toward US 41: East Ridge
1283 ft · 33 sec
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5
Turn left onto Ringgold Road
809 ft · 23 sec · Ringgold Road
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6
Take the ramp slight right
1069 ft · 26 sec
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7
Merge slight left
1.1 km · 57 sec
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
1.2 km · 1 min
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9
Continue on Chattanooga, Nashville
111.9 mi · 2 hr 7 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 Ridge and Columbia.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Chattanooga
Continue on Chattanooga, Nashville
112 mi · 02h 07m
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.
Sunny leaving East Ridge and 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 161.3 miles (259.6 km) and usually takes 03h 05m 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?
Manchester is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.7 miles from East Ridge and 80.7 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 108.8 miles (175.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 52.5 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 10:48 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.46 one way or $42.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.6 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 Sunny around East Ridge and 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 Ridge and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 108.78 mi (175.06 km).
#1 East Ridge
City in Hamilton County, Tennessee, United States of America
| Population | 20,979 |
| Coordinates | 35.0142400, -85.2519000 |
| Altitude | 237 |
| 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: 260 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.46 | $42.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.20 | $48.40 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.48 | $52.96 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.18 | $60.36 |
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 · Apr 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.