Columbia, TN to Maryville, TN is 223.2 miles and takes about 4h 11m via I 40, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, entirely within Tennessee. With 95% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward and efficient trip. This route is best suited for a single day of travel, making it a convenient option for getting from point A to point B.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
111.6 miles from Columbia, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
128.2 mi
2h 18m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
45 mi
48m
Lamar Alexander Parkway
26.1 mi
35m
I 65
12.1 mi
12m
Bear Creek Pike
7.2 mi
8m
Nashville Highway
1.4 mi
2m
West Broadway Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
North Garden Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 128.2 mi, about 2h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, TN and Maryville, 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
12 mi·12 min·I 65
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 59A-BToward I 840: Memphis, KnoxvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·41 sec
Exit 59AToward 840: Knoxville, Murfreesboro
9
Merge onto I 840
45 mi·48 min·Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 76AToward I 40 East: Knoxville, LebanonUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 40
128 mi·2 hr 18 min·I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 364Toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak RidgeUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
150 ft·2 sec
Exit 364Toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak RidgeUse the right lane.
14
Merge onto US 321
26 mi·35 min·Lamar Alexander Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Turn slight left onto US 411
0.5 mi·1 min·West Broadway Avenue
Use the straight lane.
16
Arrive at destination
US 411
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 11m duration, leaving Columbia, TN in the morning will allow you to reach Maryville, TN with plenty of daylight. The $35 fuel cost is manageable for a single-day trip, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, especially before the 128.2-mile stretch on I 40. While there's only one recommended stop, consider breaking up the drive with a quick stretch or snack to stay alert. The predominantly highway nature of this route means you can be quite flexible with your departure time and any brief pauses you might need.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 111.6 miles from Columbia, TN, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.2 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 49 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.6 miles or 2h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Maryville, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Columbia, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Columbia, TN
This is one driving day of about 223.2 miles and 4h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Columbia, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 128.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 21.6 and 196.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
21.6 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit toward I 840: Memphis, Knoxville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 59A-B
Toward I 840: Memphis, Knoxville
7
21.8 mi into trip|~25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 840: Knoxville, Murfreesboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 59A
Toward 840: Knoxville, Murfreesboro
9
67.3 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 76A
Toward I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon
8
196.3 mi into trip|~3h 34m in
Take the exit toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak Ridge
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 364
Toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak R...
10
196.6 mi into trip|~3h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak Ridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 364
Toward US 321, TN 73, TN 95: Lenoir City, Oak R...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.96 one way
$65.92 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$36.39
$72.78
premium
$4.72
$41.44
$82.88
diesel
$4.80
$42.14
$84.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67
0
$23.44
$10.71
Efficient EV
55.8
0
$19.53
$8.93
EV Truck/SUV
89.3
1
$31.25
$14.28
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Columbia, TN
Late night
in Columbia on Sunday
Local time
5:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 5 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Maryville, TN
Morning
in Maryville on Sunday
Local time
6:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 5 mph56% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
4 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
4h 11m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Stones River National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it ch...
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 223.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway cruising, with 95% of the 223.2 miles on major roads like I 40. You'll experience a long stretch of 128.2 miles on I 40 before transitioning to surface roads like Tennessee National Guard Parkway and Lamar Alexander Parkway closer to Maryville. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate the interstate portions of this trip.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.2 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 223.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 21.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,963 ft509 ft
Total Climb
1,770 ft
Total Descent
1,475 ft
Highest Point
1,963 ft
~143.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,455 ft
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 Maryville, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville, 840: Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Lebanon and Oak Ridge.
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.
Top landmarks
•Zion Presbyterian Church — church in Tennessee, United States
•Clifton Place — mansion in Columbia, Tennessee
•Columbia Hydroelectric Station — hydroelectric power station in Columbia, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 11m. Total distance: 223.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 128.2 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Maryville, TN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 21.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Maryville, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
