Road Trip Alert! Time It Takes To Drive From Atoka, Tennessee to Columbia, South Carolina

Are you planning a road trip from Atoka, Tennessee to Columbia, South Carolina? If yes, you may be wondering what the best route to take is, how long it will take, and whether it's worth a stop at any of the cities on the way? Well, we have got all these answers and more for you in this blog post.

Fastest and Slowest Routes

The fastest route from Atoka, Tennessee to Columbia, South Carolina is via I-40 E and I-26 E. This route is approximately 475 miles long and takes around 7 hours and 30 minutes in driving time. While this is the fastest route, it may not be the best option if you want to explore some of the charming towns along the way.

If you want to take a more scenic route, you can take the US-64 E and US-74 E route. However, this route is approximately 504 miles long and takes around 8 hours and 30 minutes of driving time. While this option is slower, you will get to see the beautiful views of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and make a stopover in Asheville, which is a fantastic city known for its craft breweries and fantastic food.

Drive Time Based on Traffic Patterns

The traffic on the fastest route can vary depending on the time of day you choose to travel. Traveling during the off-peak hours, which falls between 11 AM to 3 PM, can save you some time. But if you're traveling during the peak hours, which falls between 7 AM to 10 AM and 4 PM to 7 PM on weekdays, expect to hit some traffic congestion, which can increase your driving time by an hour or more.

On the other hand, traffic patterns are not as consistent on the US-64 E and US-74 E route. But you're probably going to encounter more traffic in Asheville, North Carolina. Suppose you want to avoid this possibility. In that case, you can opt to travel during off-peak hours, but always be ready for unforeseen delays that can add up to your driving time.

Conclusion

In summary, depending on your preferences and travel goals, your driving time from Atoka, Tennessee, to Columbia, South Carolina, can range from roughly 7 hours and 30 minutes to 8 hours and 30 minutes. The fastest route, I-40 E and I-26 E, gets you to Columbia the quickest, while the US-64 E and US-74 E route offers more scenic views, but it takes about an hour longer. Therefore, your route choice will depend on whether you want to save time or explore some of the towns while traveling. Regardless of which route you take, always be mindful of peak traffic times if you want to reduce your driving time.