Origin
Columbia, TN
Night in Columbia on Saturday
Local time
9:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbia, TN to Union City, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 24m
Distance
168.1 mi
271 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 12m
★
6 AM
3h 24m
8 AM
3h 48m
10 AM
3h 33m
12 PM
3h 30m
3 PM
3h 34m
5 PM
3h 47m
8 PM
3h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Columbia, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Union City, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 168.1-mile drive from Columbia to Union City, Tennessee, is a manageable one-day adventure, taking approximately 3 hours and 24 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-40 and TN-22, you'll find yourself on a highway-focused journey that should fit comfortably within your budget, with an estimated fuel cost of $26. This route sticks within the Southeast region, offering a straightforward transit through the Volunteer State. Given its duration and highway share, it's an ideal day trip, allowing for a flexible schedule without the need for an overnight stop. You'll experience a predominantly high-speed drive on well-maintained roads.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
84.1 miles from Columbia, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 64.3 mi | 1h 8m |
| TN 22 | 47.6 mi | 58m |
| State Highway 7 | 21.3 mi | 25m |
| State Highway 22 | 10.8 mi | 15m |
| Santa Fe Pike | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| State HWY 46 | 4 mi | 5m |
| State Highway 46 | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Nailling Drive | 2.1 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 64.3 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, TN and Union City, 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
64 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 40
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroads, Lexington, Huntingdon
11
Turn right onto TN 22
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
TN 22
12
Continue on SR 22; SR 424
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Lexington Clarksburg Road
13
Continue on TN 22
6.5 mi
·
8 min
·
TN 22
14
Turn left onto Lexington Street
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Lexington Street
15
Turn left onto US 70; SR 22 Bypass
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
South Veterans Drive
16
Take the exit onto SR 22 Bypass
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
SR 22 Bypass
17
Merge onto US 70A; SR 22 Bypass
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Veterans Drive North
18
Turn left onto TN 22
20 mi
·
25 min
·
TN 22
19
Merge onto TN 22
11 mi
·
15 min
·
State Highway 22
20
Take the exit onto TN 22
15 mi
·
16 min
·
TN 22
Toward US 45E North, TN 22 North: South Fulton, Union City
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward SR 214 North, US 45W South
22
Turn left onto US 45W; SR 214
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Nailling Drive
23
Continue on SR 214
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
24
At end of road, turn left onto SR 21
117 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Main Street
25
Turn straight onto TN 5; TN 21
461 ft
·
23 sec
·
South 1st Street
26
Turn left onto East Church Street
74 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Church Street
27
Arrive at destination
East Church Street
Trip Plan
Starting your journey from Columbia in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With a total duration of just over 3 hours, this 168.1-mile route is perfectly suited for a single day, so you won't need to worry about splitting the drive. While there's only one suggested stop, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest 64.3-mile stretch on I-40, and plan your refueling accordingly. The estimated $26 fuel cost is quite reasonable, making this an economical choice for a Tennessee road trip.
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 84.1 miles from Columbia, TN, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.3 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 37 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.1 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Union City, 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 168.1 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 64.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 84.1 miles from Columbia, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.3 miles.
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 35.9 and 168.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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.
5
100.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
Take the exit toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroads, Lexington, Huntingdon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Primary SR 22: Parkers Crossroads, Lexin...
5
149.2 mi into trip
|
~3h in
|
TN 22
Take the exit onto TN 22 toward US 45E North, TN 22 North: South Fulton, Union City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 45E North, TN 22 North: South Fulton,...
5
164.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 17m in
Take the exit toward SR 214 North, US 45W South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SR 214 North, US 45W South
5
168.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 24m in
|
East Church Street
Turn left onto East Church Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.28 one way
$52.56 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.85 | $57.71 |
| premium | $4.89 | $32.35 | $64.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.11 | $74.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.4 | 0 | $17.65 | $8.07 |
| Efficient EV | 42 | 0 | $14.71 | $6.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.2 | 0 | $23.53 | $10.76 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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
Union City, TN
Night in Union City on Saturday
Local time
9:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
83°F
Camden, TN
84 mi in
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
3h 24m 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?
Expect a highway-focused experience for 90% of this 168.1-mile trip. The bulk of your time will be spent on I-40, including a significant uninterrupted stretch of 64.3 miles. As you transition to TN-22 and State Highway 7, the character might shift slightly, but the overall feel remains that of a swift transit. This isn't a winding, scenic byway; it's designed for efficient travel, meaning you'll likely cover ground quickly with minimal distractions. The profile suggests a drive that prioritizes getting you from point A to point B with ease.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.3 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and TN 22. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 35.9 miles in.
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 168.1 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 35.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 100.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.2 miles (TN 22): 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 Union City, TN, road signs point toward Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroads, Lexington and Huntingdon.
Primary Sr 22: Parkers Crossroads
100.4 mi in
|
~1h 53m
Lexington
100.4 mi in
|
~1h 53m
Huntingdon
100.4 mi in
|
~1h 53m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 168.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.3 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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: at 35.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 100.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.2 miles (TN 22): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Union City, TN, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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