How far is Memphis, TN from Columbia, TN?
The driving distance from Memphis, TN to Columbia, TN is about 196.5 miles (316.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 172.8 miles (278.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 33m 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 46m.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Memphis and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis and Columbia.
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1
Start on Poplar Avenue
58 m · 11 sec · Poplar Avenue
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2
Turn left onto North B. B. King Boulevard
1162 ft · 34 sec · North B. B. King Boulevard
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3
Take the ramp right toward I 40 East
553 ft · 14 sec
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4
Merge slight left
12 mi · 15 min
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville
83.6 mi · 1 hr 31 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward 152: Lexington
919 ft · 23 sec
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7
Turn right onto Law Road
1.2 km · 50 sec · Law Road
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8
Turn left
10.4 mi · 12 min
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9
Turn left
7.5 mi · 9 min
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10
Continue on US 412;SR 114
3.5 mi · 4 min · US 412;SR 114
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11
Merge slight left
15.8 mi · 18 min
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12
Continue straight
13.9 mi · 16 min
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13
Keep slight right
48.7 mi · 59 min
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 7th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Memphis and Columbia.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 40 East
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville
83.6 mi · 01h 31m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Memphis and Sunny near Columbia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Memphis to Columbia?
The road trip is about 196.5 miles (316.2 km) and usually takes 03h 46m 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 98.1 miles from Memphis and 98.4 miles from Columbia.
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 23.7 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 9:26 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.13 one way or $52.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Memphis and Sunny near Columbia.
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 Memphis and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 172.78 mi (278.06 km).
#1 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 |
#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: 316 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.13 | $52.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.47 | $58.95 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.25 | $64.50 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.76 | $73.51 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.