Origin
Arlington, TN
Morning in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
9:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arlington, TN to Columbia, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 43m
Distance
70.2 mi
113 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 35m
★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 59m
10 AM
1h 49m
12 PM
1h 47m
3 PM
1h 49m
5 PM
1h 58m
8 PM
1h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Columbia, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Arlington, TN to Columbia, TN is 70.2 miles and takes about 1h 43m via State Highway 7, Yellow Creek Road, and SR 46, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, single-day trip connecting two points within the Southeast region of Tennessee. You'll experience a mixed drive, meaning it's not all high-speed highway, but rather a blend of different road types. Plan for around $11 in fuel costs, making it an economical option for a quick journey. This route is perfectly suited for a day trip, allowing you to easily reach your destination and potentially explore a bit upon arrival.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.1 miles from Arlington, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 7 | 21.3 mi | 25m |
| Yellow Creek Road | 14.1 mi | 24m |
| SR 46 | 8.4 mi | 11m |
| Santa Fe Pike | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| West Main Street | 6.3 mi | 11m |
| TN 49 | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| Pond Road | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| State Highway 46 | 2.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 7
— 21.3 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TN and Columbia, TN.
1
Start on West Roby Street
29 ft
·
6 sec
·
West Roby Street
2
Turn left onto Arlington Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Arlington Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto SR 49
6.3 mi
·
11 min
·
West Main Street
4
Continue on TN 49
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
TN 49
5
Turn right onto SR 46
14 mi
·
24 min
·
Yellow Creek Road
6
Continue on SR 46
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Pond Road
7
Turn left onto US 70
264 ft
·
7 sec
·
West College Street
8
Continue on US 70 Business
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West College Street
9
Turn right onto SR 46
8.4 mi
·
11 min
·
SR 46
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on TN 46
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 46
11
Continue on TN 7
21 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 7
12
Continue on TN 7
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Santa Fe Pike
13
Continue on TN 7
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
James M Campbell Boulevard North
14
At end of road, turn right onto US 31; US 412 Business
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
North Garden Street
15
Turn left onto West 7th Street
79 ft
·
2 sec
·
West 7th Street
16
Arrive at destination
West 7th Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 43 minutes, this is an ideal same-day trip. You can leave Arlington, TN anytime and still arrive in Columbia, TN with plenty of daylight remaining. With a fuel cost estimated at $11, you won't need to worry excessively about finding gas stations, but it's always wise to top off before you leave. The flexibility of a shorter drive means you can take your time and don't need to plan for multiple overnight stops. Keep an eye out for changes in speed limits as you transition between highway and local road sections, particularly on State Highway 7.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 35.1 miles from Arlington, TN, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 15 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.1 miles or 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbia, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Arlington, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Arlington, TN
This is one driving day of about 70.2 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Arlington, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on State Highway 7 for about 21.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.1 miles from Arlington, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 65 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 70.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Arlington Street
Turn left onto Arlington Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SR 49 / West Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto SR 49 / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
29.8 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
SR 46
Turn right onto SR 46
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
69.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
|
US 31; US 412 Business / North Garden Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 31; US 412 Business / North Garden Street
Navigation decision point
4
70.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
|
West 7th Street
Turn left onto West 7th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.97 one way
$21.95 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.05 | $24.10 |
| premium | $4.89 | $13.51 | $27.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.50 | $31.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.1 | 0 | $7.37 | $3.37 |
| Efficient EV | 17.6 | 0 | $6.14 | $2.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.1 | 0 | $9.83 | $4.49 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Columbia, TN
Morning in Columbia on Sunday
Local time
9:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
7 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 43m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a mixed experience, with 53% of it on highways. You'll encounter stretches of faster roads interspersed with more local routes. The longest continuous segment you'll navigate is 21.3 miles on State Highway 7, providing a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. As you progress, expect the road character to shift, moving between more open highway driving and potentially more winding or village-adjacent sections. This variety keeps the drive engaging without being overly demanding.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.3 mi on State Highway 7.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Arlington Street.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Arlington, TN to Columbia, TN is easy. At 1h 43m with 53% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Arlington Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (SR 49 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 29.8 miles (SR 46): Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Columbia, TN
Full guide →Columbia is the county seat of Maury County in Central Tennessee, and is 50 miles south of Nashville. It is home to an estimated 38,224 people and hosts a mule day festival the first weekend of April every year. It is more famously known for being the hometown of the 11th President of the United States, James K. Polk. In addition, numerous antebellum homes are located around the city including Ripavilla, the Atheneum, Elm Springs, Rattle and Snap, and Hamilton Place to name a few. It is a city rich in history and culture endearingly known by its locals as "The Dimple of the Universe". It's safe to say the South has had its moments of racism and racial unrest, but Columbia seems to take it to a higher level. From indiscriminate lynchings as though they were pastimes to a race riot in 1946, racism has seemed pretty systemic here.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 43m. Total distance: 70.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (53%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.3 miles on State Highway 7. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Arlington Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (SR 49 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 29.8 miles (SR 46): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Columbia, TN before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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