Origin
Columbia, TN
Morning in Columbia on Sunday
Local time
7:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbia, TN to Smyrna, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 25m
Distance
114.3 mi
184 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 16m
★
6 AM
2h 26m
8 AM
2h 46m
10 AM
2h 33m
12 PM
2h 31m
3 PM
2h 34m
5 PM
2h 45m
8 PM
2h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Columbia, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Smyrna, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Columbia, TN to Smyrna, TN is 114.3 miles and takes about 2h 25m via I 40 and State Highway 7, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within Tennessee, taking you from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a straightforward trip, primarily on major roads, making it a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently. Consider this route if you're looking for a quick connection between these two Tennessee locations without extensive detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.2 miles from Columbia, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 46.3 mi | 49m |
| State Highway 7 | 21.3 mi | 25m |
| US 641 | 13.7 mi | 15m |
| US 70 | 9.4 mi | 14m |
| Santa Fe Pike | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| SR 114 | 4.1 mi | 7m |
| State HWY 46 | 4 mi | 5m |
| State Highway 46 | 2.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 46.3 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, TN and Smyrna, TN.
1
Start on West 7th Street
79 ft
·
6 sec
·
West 7th Street
2
Turn right onto US 31; US 412 Business
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
North Garden Street
3
Turn left onto TN 7
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
James M Campbell Boulevard North
4
Continue on TN 7
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Santa Fe Pike
5
Continue on TN 7
21 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 7
6
Continue on TN 46
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 46
7
Continue on SR 46
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
State HWY 46
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 40
46 mi
·
49 min
·
I 40
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 126
Toward US 641: Camden, Paris, Parsons
11
Keep slight right at fork
192 ft
·
4 sec
12
Merge onto US 641
14 mi
·
15 min
·
US 641
13
Turn left onto US 70
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
US 70
14
At end of road, turn left onto US 70
7.8 mi
·
11 min
·
US 70
15
Turn left onto SR 114
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
SR 114
16
Turn right onto Buena Vista Road
2.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Buena Vista Road
17
Turn left onto Smyrna Road
2.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Smyrna Road
18
Turn right onto Buck Ditch Road
58 ft
·
2 sec
·
Buck Ditch Road
19
Arrive at destination
Buck Ditch Road
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 25 minutes, this trip is easily completed in a single day. You can depart anytime, but an early morning start will help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Smyrna. With a fuel cost estimated at $18, plan for one fill-up if your tank is low before you leave Columbia. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 46.3 miles on I 40, so ensure you're comfortable with sustained highway driving before embarking.
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 57.2 miles from Columbia, TN, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.3 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 25 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.2 miles or 1h 7m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Smyrna, 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 114.3 miles and 2h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Columbia, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 46.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
57 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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 57.2 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 97.9 — 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
|
US 31; US 412 Business / North Garden Street
Turn right onto US 31; US 412 Business / North Garden Street
Navigation decision point
7
35.9 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
82.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward US 641: Camden, Paris, Parsons
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 126
Toward US 641: Camden, Paris, Parsons
5
82.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
97.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
|
US 70
At end of road, turn left onto US 70
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.87 one way
$35.74 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $19.62 | $39.24 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.00 | $43.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.24 | $50.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.3 | 0 | $12.00 | $5.49 |
| Efficient EV | 28.6 | 0 | $10.00 | $4.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.7 | 0 | $16.00 | $7.32 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Smyrna, TN
Morning in Smyrna on Sunday
Local time
7:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 25m 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 route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 89% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 46.3 miles on I 40, offering a consistent pace. The drive transitions between interstate speeds and state highway segments, providing a varied but generally fast-paced experience. Expect a profile where efficiency is key, rather than winding country roads or challenging terrain.
89% 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: 46.3 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and State Highway 7. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 31; US 412 Business / North Garden Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 114.3 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (US 31; US 412 Business / North Garden Street): Navigation decision point; at 35.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 82.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Smyrna, TN, road signs point toward Paris and Parsons.
Paris
82.4 mi in
|
~1h 34m
Parsons
82.4 mi in
|
~1h 34m
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.
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 2h 25m. Total distance: 114.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.3 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 31; US 412 Business / North Garden Street): Navigation decision point; at 35.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 82.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Smyrna, 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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