Origin
Columbia, TN
Late night in Columbia on Sunday
Local time
5:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbia, TN to Hendersonville, 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 16m
Distance
63.8 mi
103 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 11m
★
6 AM
1h 17m
8 AM
1h 29m
10 AM
1h 21m
12 PM
1h 20m
3 PM
1h 22m
5 PM
1h 28m
8 PM
1h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Columbia, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Connecting Columbia to Hendersonville is a straightforward 63.8-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 16 minutes. Because this drive is short and contained entirely within Tennessee, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $10 on fuel, making it an affordable commute between these two Southeast locations. Whether you are heading north for business or a quick visit, the route relies heavily on major thoroughfares to keep your travel time efficient. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that prioritizes speed over scenic detours.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 36.1 mi | 39m |
| I 24 | 9 mi | 10m |
| Bear Creek Pike | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| Downtown Loop | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| West Main Street | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| Vietnam Veterans Boulevard | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| Nashville Highway | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| North Garden Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 36.1 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, TN and Hendersonville, TN.
1
Start on West 7th Street
79 ft
·
6 sec
·
West 7th Street
2
Turn right onto US 31; US 412 Business
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
North Garden Street
3
Continue on US 31; US 412 Business
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Nashville Highway
4
Turn right onto US 412
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Bear Creek Pike
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
6
Merge onto I 65
36 mi
·
39 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 82B
Toward I 40 East: Knoxville
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 40
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Downtown Loop
9
Continue on I 40
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Downtown Loop
Exit 211B; 211A
Toward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto Downtown Loop
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Downtown Loop
Exit 211B
Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 24
9.0 mi
·
10 min
·
I 24
Exit 46A
Toward I 24 West, I 65 North: Clarksville, Louisville
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Continue on I 65
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
I 65
13
Keep slight right at fork onto TN 386
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
Exit 95
Toward SR 386: Hendersonville, Gallatin
Use the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 2
Toward Center Point Road, Hendersonville
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
163 ft
·
6 sec
Toward Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center, Hendersonville
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto Center Point Road
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Center Point Road
17
Turn left onto US 31E
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
West Main Street
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto Walton Ferry Road
53 ft
·
1 sec
·
Walton Ferry Road
19
Arrive at destination
Walton Ferry Road
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 31.9 miles from Columbia, 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 45.3 and 60.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
45.3 mi into trip
|
~51m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Knoxville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 82B
Toward I 40 East: Knoxville
9
46.3 mi into trip
|
~53m in
|
Downtown Loop
Keep slight left at fork onto Downtown Loop toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 211B
Toward I 24 West: Clarksville, Louisville
9
58.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
TN 386 / Vietnam Veterans Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto TN 386 / Vietnam Veterans Boulevard toward SR 386: Hendersonville, Gallatin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 95
Toward SR 386: Hendersonville, Gallatin
8
60.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
Take the exit toward Center Point Road, Hendersonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2
Toward Center Point Road, Hendersonville
9
60.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center, Hendersonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center, Hend...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.97 one way
$19.95 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $10.95 | $21.90 |
| premium | $4.89 | $12.28 | $24.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.09 | $28.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.3 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 | 19.1 | 0 | $6.70 | $3.06 |
| Efficient EV | 16 | 0 | $5.58 | $2.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.5 | 0 | $8.93 | $4.08 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 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
Hendersonville, TN
Late night in Hendersonville on Sunday
Local time
5:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
84°F
Belle Meade, TN
32 mi in
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
30 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 16m 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 trip is a highway-focused drive, with 71% of your time spent on high-speed roads. Your journey is anchored by I-65 and I-24, supplemented by Bear Creek Pike to help navigate the transition between zones. The most significant portion of your time behind the wheel will be a 36.1-mile stretch on I-65, which serves as the backbone of the route. You should anticipate a consistent interstate pace, as the road is designed for connectivity rather than winding local exploration. Expect a functional, predictable experience as you transition through these Tennessee corridors.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 36.1 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 45.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 63.8 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 45.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.3 miles (Downtown Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.2 miles (TN 386 / Vietnam Veterans Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Columbia, TN and Hendersonville, TN, road signs point toward Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Gallatin.
Louisville
45.7 mi in
|
~52m
|
via I 40
Knoxville
45.7 mi in
|
~52m
|
via I 40
Chattanooga
45.7 mi in
|
~52m
|
via I 40
Gallatin
58.2 mi in
|
~1h 8m
|
via TN 386
About the Cities
Starting 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.
Arriving in Hendersonville, TN
Full guide →Hendersonville is a city in Sumner County of the American state of Tennessee. It is a well-known suburb of Nashville, Tennessee, and has been the home of many country music stars, including Conway Twitty, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash.
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 16m. Total distance: 63.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 36.1 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Hendersonville, TN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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: at 45.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.3 miles (Downtown Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.2 miles (TN 386 / Vietnam Veterans Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Hendersonville, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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