Traveling from Columbia to Morristown covers 261.3 miles across Tennessee, making for a straightforward journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 54 minutes. Because the drive is manageable within a single day, you likely won't need an overnight stop unless you prefer a slower pace. You will primarily navigate via I-40, the Tennessee National Guard Parkway, and the Andrew Johnson Highway. Budgeting around $40 for fuel should cover your transit across these southeastern regions. This route is designed for efficiency, so it is best suited for drivers who want a direct connection between these two cities without unnecessary detours.
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
130.7 miles from Columbia, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
158.3 mi
2h 53m
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
45 mi
48m
Andrew Johnson Highway
26.4 mi
33m
I 65
12.1 mi
12m
Bear Creek Pike
7.2 mi
8m
Asheville Highway
6 mi
7m
West Broadway Boulevard
1.4 mi
1m
Nashville Highway
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 158.3 mi, about 2h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, TN and Morristown, 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
149 mi·2 hr 42 min·I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
9.2 mi·11 min·I 40
13
Take the exit onto US 25W
0.3 mi·36 sec·US 25W
Toward US 11E, US 25W, US 70
14
Turn left onto US 11E; US 25W; US 70
6.0 mi·7 min·Asheville Highway
15
Turn straight onto US 11E
14 mi·15 min·Andrew Johnson Highway
16
Continue on US 11E; SR 92
1.4 mi·1 min·West Broadway Boulevard
17
Continue on US 11E
12 mi·17 min·Andrew Johnson Highway
18
Continue on SR 66
0.8 mi·1 min·West 1st North Street
19
Turn left onto North Henry Street
125 ft·5 sec·North Henry Street
20
Arrive at destination
North Henry Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip, plan to depart early to avoid potential traffic congestion on I-40. You only need to build in one primary stop to refresh, which keeps your schedule flexible and efficient. Keep a close watch on your fuel gauge during that 158.3-mile stretch on I-40, as you will want to ensure you have enough range before moving onto the secondary highways. By keeping your pace steady and utilizing the highway infrastructure, you can comfortably reach Morristown by late afternoon. Make sure to check local traffic reports before you leave Columbia, as highway conditions on this corridor can change quickly.
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 130.7 miles from Columbia, TN, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 158.3 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 57 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.7 miles or 2h 24m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Morristown, 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 261.3 miles and 4h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 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 158.3 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.1 and 67.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
9.1 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
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
5
22.3 mi into trip|~26m in|I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge onto I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.59 one way
$77.18 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$42.60
$85.20
premium
$4.72
$48.52
$97.03
diesel
$4.80
$49.34
$98.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.4
0
$27.44
$12.54
Efficient EV
65.3
0
$22.86
$10.45
EV Truck/SUV
104.5
1
$36.58
$16.72
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% 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
3:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Morristown, TN
Late night
in Morristown on Sunday
Local time
4:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph5% chanceLive 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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 54m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive, as roughly 83% of your journey takes place on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-40, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 158.3 miles that allows for steady cruising. While the interstate provides a fast, predictable experience, the character of the road shifts as you transition onto the Tennessee National Guard Parkway and the Andrew Johnson Highway. This combination keeps the drive moving quickly while shifting from high-speed transit to more localized highway travel. Prepare for a consistent rhythm behind the wheel, as the route is engineered for practicality rather than technical winding roads.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 158.3 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 9.1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 261.3 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 9.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,930 ft553 ft
Total Climb
2,040 ft
Total Descent
1,385 ft
Highest Point
1,930 ft
~141.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,377 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 Morristown, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville, 840: Knoxville, Murfreesboro and Lebanon.
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
Morristown is in Eastern Tennessee. Settled in the years just after the Revolutionary War, around 1787, Davy Crockett once lived here. Prior to the Civil Rights era, Morristown had one of the only two colleges in eastern Tennessee established for African Americans, called Morristown College. One newer development is the unique urban renewal design that was implemented for the town in the 1960s, with elevated sidewalks connecting city blocks downtown. The idea didn't really take off in terms of ushering in commerce, but it does have a peculiar look nonetheless.
Top landmarks
•Morristown College — former college in Morristown, Tennessee
•Morristown Main Street Historic District — historic district in Morristown, Tennessee
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 54m. Total distance: 261.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 158.3 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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 Morristown, 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; 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.
Yes — Stones River National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Morristown, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
