Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 12m
Distance
165.7 mi
267 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Columbia, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Middle Valley, TN
Kelly
Spanning 165.7 miles across the Southeast, this journey from Columbia to Middle Valley takes approximately 3 hours and 12 minutes to complete. Because the route is a turn-heavy local drive, it is best suited as a single-day trip rather than an overnight excursion. You can expect to spend roughly $25 on fuel for this one-way transit. Navigating via North Garden Street, Nashville Highway, and Bear Creek Pike keeps you off the major interstates and in the heart of the local landscape. If you prefer a hands-on driving experience over a monotonous highway cruise, this trip offers a manageable pace that fits easily into a Saturday or Sunday.
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
82.9 miles from Columbia, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Expect a highly tactile experience behind the wheel, as this route features zero highway miles. Instead of high-speed cruising, you will navigate a series of winding local roads that demand your full attention. The road character remains consistent throughout the 165.7-mile journey, favoring technical turns over long, straight stretches. Since the route relies entirely on local thoroughfares like Bear Creek Pike, the drive maintains a steady, intimate feel rather than a fast-paced transit. Be prepared to shift gears frequently and stay alert, as the absence of highway infrastructure means the road will require more active input from the driver than a standard interstate commute.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 24 and Tennessee National Guard Parkway. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 9.1 miles in.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 165.7 miles you will encounter 14 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
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
Keep slight right at fork toward 840: Knoxville, Murfreesboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto I 840 / Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Columbia, TN and Middle Valley, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville, 840: Knoxville and Murfreesboro.
Knoxville
840: Knoxville
Murfreesboro
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 24 | 103.1 mi | 1h 54m |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 21.2 mi | 22m |
| US 27 | 14.6 mi | 17m |
| I 65 | 12.1 mi | 12m |
| Bear Creek Pike | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| Thrasher Pike | 2.3 mi | 5m |
| Nashville Highway | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Middle Valley Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, TN and Middle Valley, TN.
Start on West 7th Street
Turn right onto US 31; US 412 Business
Continue on US 31; US 412 Business
Turn right onto US 412
Take the exit
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 840
Take the exit
Merge onto I 24
Take the exit
Continue on US 27
Take the exit
Turn right onto Thrasher Pike
Turn sharp left onto Middle Valley Road
Turn left onto Crabtree Road
Arrive at destination
Since this is a turn-heavy route, plan to leave early in the morning to maximize daylight for navigating the local roads comfortably. You should budget for at least one planned stop during the 3-hour and 12-minute drive to stretch your legs and stay sharp behind the wheel. Given the $25 fuel estimate, filling up your tank before departing Columbia will ensure you have a stress-free trip without needing to hunt for stations along the secondary roads. Because the entire route consists of local streets, take advantage of the flexibility to pull over safely if you need a break from the constant turning. Always keep an eye on your navigation, as the transition between North Garden Street and Bear Creek Pike requires careful attention to signage.
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.
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 36 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.9 miles or 1h 33m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Middle Valley, TN than in the middle of the route.
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 165.7 miles and 3h 12m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 82.9 mi from Columbia, TN · 1h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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.
A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 82.9 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 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.1 miles.
The final approach into Middle Valley, TN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Middle Valley, TN.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$25.91 one way
$51.81 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.44 | $56.89 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.89 | $63.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.58 | $73.17 |
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 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.7 | 0 | $17.40 | $7.95 |
| Efficient EV | 41.4 | 0 | $14.50 | $6.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.3 | 0 | $23.20 | $10.60 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Columbia on Thursday
Local time
12:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Late night in Middle Valley on Thursday
Local time
1:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
75°F
Winchester, TN
83 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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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