Origin
Columbia, TN
Late night in Columbia on Thursday
Local time
12:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbia, TN to Red Bank, TN
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 56m
Distance
153.9 mi
248 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 45m
★
6 AM
2h 56m
8 AM
3h 19m
10 AM
3h 4m
12 PM
3h 2m
3 PM
3h 5m
5 PM
3h 17m
8 PM
2h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Columbia, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Red Bank, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 153.9 miles through Tennessee, this trip from Columbia to Red Bank takes approximately 2 hours and 56 minutes to complete. Because the travel time is under three hours, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend about $23 on fuel for the journey, keeping your travel costs manageable. Since both locations are situated within the Southeast region, you will remain in familiar territory as you transition between these two Tennessee communities. If you prefer a straightforward drive without the need for extensive planning, this route offers a practical and efficient way to reach your destination.
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
76.9 miles from Columbia, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate haul, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate primarily via North Garden Street, Nashville Highway, and Bear Creek Pike, requiring your full attention behind the wheel. The personality of this trip is defined by its constant transitions through local roads, making it a more engaged experience than a standard high-speed commute. Without the luxury of long, straight highway stretches, you should prepare for a drive that demands consistent focus on the road ahead. Navigating these local routes allows you to see more of the landscape, though it certainly changes the pace of your travel compared to typical interstate routes.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Garden Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Columbia, TN to Red Bank, TN is easy. At 2h 56m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Columbia, TN to Red Bank, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Garden Street | — | — |
| Nashville Highway | — | — |
| Bear Creek Pike | — | — |
| I 840 | — | — |
| 840 | — | — |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | — | — |
| I 24 East | — | — |
| US 27 North | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
North Garden Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, TN and Red Bank, TN.
1
Start on West 7th Street
79 ft
·
6 sec
·
West 7th Street
2
Turn right onto North Garden Street
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
North Garden Street
3
Continue on Nashville Highway
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Nashville Highway
4
Turn right onto Bear Creek Pike
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Bear Creek Pike
5
Take the exit left
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
6
Merge slight left
12 mi
·
12 min
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 840: Memphis, Knoxville
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 840: Memphis, Knoxville
8
Keep slight right to continue on 840: Knoxville, Murfreesboro
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
840: Knoxville, Murfreesboro
9
Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway
21 mi
·
22 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 24 East: Chattanooga
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 24 East: Chattanooga
11
Merge slight left
103 mi
·
1 hr 54 min
12
Take the exit slight right toward US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
US 27 North: Downtown Chattanooga
13
Continue straight
3.1 mi
·
4 min
14
Take the exit slight right toward Red Bank
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
Red Bank
15
Turn straight onto Dayton Boulevard
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Dayton Boulevard
16
Turn left onto Euclid Avenue West
89 ft
·
4 sec
·
Euclid Avenue West
17
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of the roads, it is wise to plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the nearly three-hour duration and allow yourself a chance to rest. Since you are not restricted by highway speed limits or major traffic bottlenecks, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $23 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's specific efficiency on slower, local roads. Because this is a single-stretch trip, prioritize comfort and hydration before you head out. A helpful tip for this route is to map out your turns in advance, as relying on local roads requires more frequent navigation adjustments than sticking to a single highway.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.9 miles from Columbia, TN, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
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 34 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.9 miles or 1h 28m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Red Bank, 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 153.9 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.9 mi from Columbia, TN · 1h 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.9 miles from Columbia, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Red Bank, TN
The final approach into Red Bank, 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 Red Bank, TN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.06 one way
$48.12 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.42 | $52.83 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.62 | $59.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.98 | $67.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.2 | 0 | $16.16 | $7.39 |
| Efficient EV | 38.5 | 0 | $13.47 | $6.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.6 | 0 | $21.55 | $9.85 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Red Bank, TN
Late night in Red Bank on Thursday
Local time
1:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Winchester, TN
77 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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
27 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
2h 56m 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 Red Bank, TN covers 153.9 miles and takes about 2h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Garden Street, Nashville Highway, Bear Creek Pike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.9 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 $24.06 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Columbia, TN to Red Bank, TN is easy. At 2h 56m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Columbia, TN to Red Bank, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Columbia, TN to Red Bank, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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