Origin
Columbia, TN
Late night in Columbia on Saturday
Local time
12:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbia, TN to Lebanon, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 22m
Distance
72.5 mi
117 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 16m
★
6 AM
1h 23m
8 AM
1h 36m
10 AM
1h 27m
12 PM
1h 26m
3 PM
1h 28m
5 PM
1h 35m
8 PM
1h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Columbia, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Lebanon, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Columbia, TN to Lebanon, TN covers 72.5 miles and takes about 1h 22m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Tennessee National Guard Parkway, I 65, Bear Creek Pike for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 45 miles on Tennessee National Guard Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.33 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 22m. Total distance: 72.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 22m highway drive covering 72.5 miles, with most of the trip on Tennessee National Guard Parkway and I 65. The longest continuous stretch is about 45 miles on Tennessee National Guard Parkway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Tennessee National Guard Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 45 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Tennessee National Guard Parkway and I 65. 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 Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.5 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 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
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
70.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
Take the exit toward US 231: Lebanon, Hartsville
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 238
Toward US 231: Lebanon, Hartsville
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 Lebanon, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville, 840: Knoxville and Murfreesboro.
Knoxville
21.6 mi in
|
~25m
840: Knoxville
21.8 mi in
|
~25m
Murfreesboro
21.8 mi in
|
~25m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 45 mi | 48m |
| I 65 | 12.1 mi | 12m |
| Bear Creek Pike | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| I 40 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Nashville Highway | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| South Cumberland Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| South College Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North Garden Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
— 45 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, TN and Lebanon, 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-B
Toward I 840: Memphis, Knoxville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 59A
Toward 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 76A
Toward I 40 East: Knoxville, Lebanon
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 40
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 40
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 238
Toward US 231: Lebanon, Hartsville
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto US 231
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Murfreesboro Road
14
Continue on US 231
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Cumberland Street
15
Turn right onto Tennessee Boulevard
358 ft
·
14 sec
·
Tennessee Boulevard
16
Turn left onto SR 266
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South College Street
17
Turn left onto US 70 Business
361 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Main Street
18
Enter roundabout onto US 231; US 70 Business
67 ft
·
1 sec
·
Public Square
19
Arrive at destination
US 231; US 70 Business
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.2 mi from Columbia, TN · 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.2 miles from Columbia, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lebanon, TN
The final approach into Lebanon, TN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.33 one way
$22.67 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.44 | $24.89 |
| premium | $4.89 | $13.95 | $27.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.01 | $32.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.8 | 0 | $7.61 | $3.48 |
| Efficient EV | 18.1 | 0 | $6.34 | $2.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29 | 0 | $10.15 | $4.64 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Lebanon, TN
Late night in Lebanon on Saturday
Local time
12:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1h 22m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Columbia, TN to Lebanon, TN covers 72.5 miles and takes about 1h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tennessee National Guard Parkway, I 65, Bear Creek Pike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.2 miles from Columbia, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.33 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.5 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.
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.
Between Columbia, TN and Lebanon, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville, 840: Knoxville and Murfreesboro.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Stones River National Battlefield.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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