Origin
Dickson, TN
Late night in Dickson on Sunday
Local time
1:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dickson, TN to Columbia, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
52m
Distance
41 mi
66 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 48m
★
6 AM
0h 52m
8 AM
1h 1m
10 AM
0h 55m
12 PM
0h 54m
3 PM
0h 56m
5 PM
1h 0m
8 PM
0h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dickson, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Columbia, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a straightforward connection between Dickson and Columbia, Tennessee, this 41-mile trip is an efficient way to navigate the Southeast. Expect to spend about 52 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a one-day excursion. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $6, the route is as economical as it is direct. You will primarily rely on State Highway 7, SR 46, and Santa Fe Pike to complete the journey. Since the entire drive stays within the state of Tennessee, you won't have to worry about crossing regional boundaries or adjusting to different road regulations. It is an ideal path for travelers who value simplicity and want to reach their destination without unnecessary complications.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 7 | 21.3 mi | 25m |
| SR 46 | 8.4 mi | 11m |
| Santa Fe Pike | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 46 | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| West College Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| James M Campbell Boulevard North | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| North Garden Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West 7th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 7
— 21.3 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dickson, TN and Columbia, TN.
1
Start on US 70 Business
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West College Street
2
Turn right onto SR 46
8.4 mi
·
11 min
·
SR 46
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on TN 46
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 46
4
Continue on TN 7
21 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 7
5
Continue on TN 7
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Santa Fe Pike
6
Continue on TN 7
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
James M Campbell Boulevard North
7
At end of road, turn right onto US 31; US 412 Business
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
North Garden Street
8
Turn left onto West 7th Street
79 ft
·
2 sec
·
West 7th Street
9
Arrive at destination
West 7th Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.5 miles from Dickson, 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
3 of 33 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 40.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
SR 46
Turn right onto SR 46
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
40.5 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
US 31; US 412 Business / North Garden Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 31; US 412 Business / North Garden Street
Navigation decision point
4
40.9 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
West 7th Street
Turn left onto West 7th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.41 one way
$12.82 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $7.04 | $14.08 |
| premium | $4.89 | $7.89 | $15.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.05 | $18.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.31 | $1.97 |
| Efficient EV | 10.3 | 0 | $3.59 | $1.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.4 | 0 | $5.74 | $2.62 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
Columbia, TN
Late night in Columbia on Sunday
Local time
1:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Burns, TN
21 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
8 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
52m 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 52-minute trip is heavily highway-focused, with 79% of your time spent on main thoroughfares. You should settle in for a steady pace, as the longest uninterrupted stretch spans 21.3 miles on State Highway 7. While the road transitions through various state routes, the overall feel remains consistent and predictable. You won't find yourself navigating complex urban mazes, as the drive maintains a functional, highway-oriented personality from start to finish. Expect a smooth transition as you move between the different segments of the route, keeping the driving experience focused and efficient.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
9 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.3 mi on State Highway 7.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 7 and SR 46. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near SR 46.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Dickson, TN to Columbia, TN is easy. At 52m with 79% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (SR 46): Lane positioning matters here; at 40.5 miles (US 31; US 412 Business / North Garden Street): Navigation decision point; at 40.9 miles (West 7th Street): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 52m. Total distance: 41 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.3 miles on State Highway 7. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 0.6 miles (SR 46): Lane positioning matters here; at 40.5 miles (US 31; US 412 Business / North Garden Street): Navigation decision point; at 40.9 miles (West 7th Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Columbia, 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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