Origin
Red Bank, TN
Night in Red Bank on Wednesday
Local time
11:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Red Bank, TN to Columbia, TN
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 59m
Distance
155.7 mi
251 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 48m
★
6 AM
2h 59m
8 AM
3h 22m
10 AM
3h 7m
12 PM
3h 5m
3 PM
3h 8m
5 PM
3h 21m
8 PM
2h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Red Bank, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Columbia, TN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Red Bank to Columbia, expect a journey covering 155.7 miles that takes approximately 2 hours and 59 minutes to complete. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. You will navigate a mix of local roads like Dayton Boulevard before transitioning onto I-24 and I-840 West. Budgeting about $24 for fuel will cover your transit across these Southeast Tennessee regions. Because the drive is under three hours, it offers a manageable timeframe for those looking to reach their destination without spending the entire day behind the wheel.
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
77.8 miles from Red Bank, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Since the route has a zero percent highway share, you should anticipate a more technical experience that keeps you engaged with the road layout. Your journey begins with the winding character of Dayton Boulevard before connecting to the interstate segments. While the transition from local roads to I-24 and I-840 West provides some variation, the overall personality of this trip leans toward hands-on driving. Expect to navigate frequent turns as you transition between these distinct Tennessee corridors.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dayton Boulevard 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 Red Bank, TN to Columbia, TN is easy. At 2h 59m 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 Red Bank, TN to Columbia, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dayton Boulevard | — | — |
| 24 | — | — |
| I 840 West | — | — |
| Tennessee National Guard Parkway | — | — |
| I 65 | — | — |
| I 65 South | — | — |
| 412 | — | — |
| Bear Creek Pike | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Dayton Boulevard
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Red Bank, TN and Columbia, TN.
1
Start on Euclid Avenue West
89 ft
·
8 sec
·
Euclid Avenue West
2
Turn right onto Dayton Boulevard
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Dayton Boulevard
3
Take the ramp slight right
0.5 mi
·
1 min
4
Merge slight left
2.8 mi
·
3 min
5
Keep slight right to continue on 24: Nashville, Birmingham
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
24: Nashville, Birmingham
6
Merge slight left
105 mi
·
1 hr 57 min
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 840 West: Memphis, Franklin
8
Merge slight left onto Tennessee National Guard Parkway
21 mi
·
22 min
·
Tennessee National Guard Parkway
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
I 65: Nashville, Huntsville
10
Keep slight left to continue on I 65 South: Huntsville
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
I 65 South: Huntsville
11
Merge slight left
11 mi
·
12 min
12
Take the exit slight right toward 412, 99: Columbia, Chapel Hill
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
412, 99: Columbia, Chapel Hill
13
Keep slight right to continue on 412: Columbia
161 ft
·
5 sec
·
412: Columbia
14
Turn right onto Bear Creek Pike
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Bear Creek Pike
15
Turn left onto Nashville Highway
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Nashville Highway
16
Continue on North Garden Street
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
North Garden Street
17
Turn left onto West 7th Street
79 ft
·
2 sec
·
West 7th Street
18
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a turn-heavy, local-focused route, aim to depart during daylight hours to ensure you have maximum visibility for the more technical stretches. You only need to plan for one intentional stop to keep your energy levels up during the three-hour duration. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $24 estimate is a baseline; having a little extra buffer is always wise when navigating local roads. Since your trip involves segments like Dayton Boulevard, stay alert for shifting speed limits and intersection changes. The flexibility of this shorter drive means you can easily adjust your departure time to avoid local rush hour traffic in either Red Bank or Columbia.
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 77.8 miles from Red Bank, TN, or about 1h 29m 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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.8 miles or 1h 29m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbia, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Red Bank, 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 Red Bank, TN
This is one driving day of about 155.7 miles and 2h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Red Bank, 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 77.8 mi from Red Bank, TN · 1h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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 77.8 miles from Red Bank, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Columbia, TN
The final approach into Columbia, 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 Columbia, 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
$24.34 one way
$48.68 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.73 | $53.45 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.96 | $59.93 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.38 | $68.75 |
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: 54.5 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 | 46.7 | 0 | $16.35 | $7.47 |
| Efficient EV | 38.9 | 0 | $13.62 | $6.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.3 | 0 | $21.80 | $9.96 |
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
Columbia, TN
Night in Columbia on Wednesday
Local time
10:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
27 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
2h 59m 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 Red Bank, TN to Columbia, TN covers 155.7 miles and takes about 2h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dayton Boulevard, 24, I 840 West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 77.8 miles from Red Bank, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.34 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 Red Bank, TN to Columbia, TN is easy. At 2h 59m 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 Red Bank, TN to Columbia, TN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Red Bank, TN to Columbia, TN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Columbia, TN
More from Red Bank, TN
More trips to Columbia, TN
Explore more options from Red Bank, TN or browse trips ending in Columbia, TN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.
Explore maps for Red Bank, TN or Columbia, TN on MapSof.net.