How far is Knoxville, TN from Columbia, TN?
The driving distance from Knoxville, TN to Columbia, TN is about 221.2 miles (356 km), with a travel time of about 04h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 176.2 miles (283.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 06m 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 04h 03m.
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.
Town of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Knoxville and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knoxville and Columbia.
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1
Start on Henley Street
1056 ft · 20 sec · Henley Street
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2
Continue on Henley Street
727 ft · 14 sec · Henley Street
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3
Turn slight left onto Western Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Western Avenue
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4
Turn left onto Ailor Avenue
2326 ft · 43 sec · Ailor Avenue
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5
Take the ramp straight toward I 40 West, I 75 South
1637 ft · 40 sec
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6
Merge slight left
18.3 mi · 21 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Nashville
132.7 mi · 2 hr 23 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 840 West: Memphis, Murfreesboro
1.1 mi · 1 min
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9
Continue on Tennessee National Guard Parkway
44.6 mi · 48 min · Tennessee National Guard Parkway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
1805 ft · 22 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 65 South: Huntsville
1.6 mi · 3 min
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12
Merge slight left
11.5 mi · 12 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward 412, 99: Columbia, Chapel Hill
1053 ft · 23 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on 412: Columbia
49 m · 5 sec
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15
Turn right onto Bear Creek Pike
7.1 mi · 8 min · Bear Creek Pike
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16
Turn left onto Nashville Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Nashville Highway
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17
Continue on North Garden Street
2506 ft · 58 sec · North Garden Street
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18
Turn left onto West 7th Street
24 m · 2 sec · West 7th Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 7th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Knoxville and Columbia.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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.
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 Knoxville and Sunny near Columbia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Knoxville to Columbia?
The road trip is about 221.2 miles (356 km) and usually takes 04h 03m 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?
Baxter is a useful midpoint, sitting about 110.5 miles from Knoxville and 110.7 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 176.2 miles (283.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 45 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 8:54 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.45 one way or $58.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.4 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Knoxville 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 Knoxville and Sunny near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near Baxter
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 Baxter.
Nashville, TN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Knoxville and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 176.18 mi (283.53 km).
#1 Knoxville
The most populous city in Tennessee.
| Population | 190,223 |
| Coordinates | 35.9606400, -83.9207400 |
| Altitude | 276 |
| 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: 356 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.45 | $58.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.22 | $66.43 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $36.35 | $72.70 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $41.42 | $82.85 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.