Origin
Columbia, TN
Late night in Columbia on Saturday
Local time
12:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbia, TN to Murfreesboro, TN
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h
Distance
50.2 mi
81 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 56m
★
6 AM
1h 1m
8 AM
1h 10m
10 AM
1h 4m
12 PM
1h 3m
3 PM
1h 5m
5 PM
1h 10m
8 PM
0h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Columbia, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Murfreesboro, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 50.2-mile drive from Columbia, TN to Murfreesboro, TN is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $8, it's an economical option for a day trip. The journey predominantly utilizes major roadways, making it a practical choice for getting between these two Southeast region cities. No overnight stays are necessary for this short haul, and with no planned stops, you can be on your way quickly. Consider this route for its efficiency and ease of travel.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h. Total distance: 50.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive with 76% of the journey on major roads. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on Tennessee National Guard Parkway and I-65, offering a consistent pace. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 21.2 miles on Tennessee National Guard Parkway, allowing for sustained travel. While primarily highway, segments on Bear Creek Pike may offer a slightly different driving experience, though the overall profile remains geared towards efficient transit.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 21.2 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 21.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 50.2 miles you will encounter 16 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 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; at 43.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
7
43.5 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Take the exit toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
7
47.2 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Take the exit toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 78B
Toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
6
49.6 mi into trip
|
~59m in
|
US 41; US 70S; US 231 / Northwest Broad Street
Turn right onto US 41; US 70S; US 231 / Northwest Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
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 Murfreesboro, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville and 840: Knoxville.
Knoxville
21.6 mi in
|
~25m
840: Knoxville
21.8 mi in
|
~25m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | 21.2 mi | 22m |
| I 65 | 12.1 mi | 12m |
| Bear Creek Pike | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| I 24 | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Old Fort Parkway | 2 mi | 3m |
| Nashville Highway | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| North Garden Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Northwest Broad Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
— 21.2 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, TN and Murfreesboro, 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
21 mi
·
22 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
2 min
Exit 53A
Toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 24
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
I 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 78B
Toward SR 96 East: Murfreesboro
Use the right lane.
13
Turn straight onto SR 96
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Fort Parkway
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn slight right
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
15
Keep slight right at fork
181 ft
·
6 sec
16
Turn right onto US 41; US 70S; US 231
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Northwest Broad Street
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
West Main Street
18
Turn right onto South Maple Street
138 ft
·
4 sec
·
South Maple Street
19
Turn slight left onto South Public Square
467 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Public Square
20
Turn slight right onto East Main Street
47 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Main Street
21
Continue on East Main Street
347 ft
·
13 sec
·
East Main Street
22
Turn right onto South Spring Street
84 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Spring Street
23
Arrive at destination
South Spring Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 25.1 mi from Columbia, TN · 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 25.1 miles from Columbia, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Murfreesboro, TN
The final approach into Murfreesboro, 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
$7.85 one way
$15.70 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $8.62 | $17.23 |
| premium | $4.89 | $9.66 | $19.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.08 | $22.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.1 | 0 | $5.27 | $2.41 |
| Efficient EV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.39 | $2.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.1 | 0 | $7.03 | $3.21 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Murfreesboro, TN
Late night in Murfreesboro on Saturday
Local time
12:28 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 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 Murfreesboro, TN covers 50.2 miles and takes about 1h 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 25.1 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 $7.85 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 50.2 miles you will encounter 16 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 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; at 43.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Columbia, TN and Murfreesboro, TN, road signs point toward Knoxville and 840: Knoxville.
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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