How far is Union City, TN from Columbia, TN?

The driving distance from Union City, TN to Columbia, TN is about 172.6 miles (277.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 126.1 miles (202.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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
172.6 mi
03h 23m
Flight
126.05 mi
202.86 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Union City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
126.05 mi
Kilometers
202.86 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
172.6 mi
Kilometers
277.78 km
Drive Time
03h 23m

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 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbia
Wed, Apr 15, 6:32 PM CDT
Return by in Union City
Wed, Apr 15, 9:55 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Union City
2026-04-15T15:09
Arrive Columbia
Wed, Apr 15, 6:32 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:23 AM to 11:23 AM CDT

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

Leave by
10:14 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Union City
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Lexington
TN

City in Henderson County, Tennessee, United States

From Union City
86.2 mi
01h 41m
To Columbia
86.4 mi
01h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
67°F
Overnight

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SSW
Destination
62°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 2:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Union City and Columbia.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Union City and Columbia.

  1. 1

    Start on East Church Street

    23 m · 11 sec · East Church Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South 1st Street

    5.3 mi · 7 min · South 1st Street

  3. 3

    Continue straight

    29.5 mi · 34 min

  4. 4

    Continue straight

    9.7 mi · 11 min

  5. 5

    Turn left

    14.6 mi · 17 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight left

    1480 ft · 39 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    12.7 mi · 14 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward 152: Lexington

    919 ft · 23 sec

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Law Road

    1.2 km · 50 sec · Law Road

  10. 10

    Turn left

    10.4 mi · 12 min

  11. 11

    Turn left

    7.5 mi · 9 min

  12. 12

    Continue on US 412;SR 114

    3.5 mi · 4 min · US 412;SR 114

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    13.6 mi · 15 min

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    16.1 mi · 19 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight right

    48.7 mi · 59 min

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 7th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Union City and Columbia.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
16 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South 1st Street
57.5 mi · 33%
US 412
40.9 mi · 24%
SR 114
40.9 mi · 24%
Law Road
0.73 mi
152
0.17 mi
East Church Street
0.01 mi
Longest Stretch

US 412

Keep slight right

48.7 mi · 00h 59m

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
03h 23m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+46.5 mi
126.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lexington
01h 41m from Union City
Leave By
10:14 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy leaving Union City and Partly Cloudy near Columbia.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Union City to Columbia?

The road trip is about 172.6 miles (277.8 km) and usually takes 03h 23m 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?

Lexington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.2 miles from Union City and 86.4 miles from Columbia.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 126.1 miles (202.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.5 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:14 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.97 one way or $45.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Union City and Partly Cloudy near Columbia.

Stop Ideas Near Lexington

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Lexington, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lexington.

RAIL

Newbern–Dyersburg

94 mi away
108 Jefferson St
RAIL

Fulton

107 mi away
21 Newton Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Union City and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 126.05 mi (202.86 km).

Union City

#1 Union City

Town in Tennessee, United States

Population10,325
Coordinates36.4242300, -89.0570100
Altitude102
CountryUnited States
Columbia

#2 Columbia

The county seat of Maury County, Tennessee.

Population41,826
Coordinates35.6150700, -87.0352800
Altitude196
CountryUnited States
Start: Union City (-89.05701, 36.42423)
End: Columbia (-87.03528, 35.61507)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 278 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.09 gal
23.06 L · about $22.97
Round trip
$45.93
12.18 gal · 46.12 L
Estimated CO2
54.1 kg one way
Round trip: 108.2 kg / 239 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.97 $45.93
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.90 $51.80
Premium $4.65 $28.34 $56.69
Diesel $5.30 $32.30 $64.60

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Union City and Columbia. The current time is 15:09:19.

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.