How far is Columbia, KY from Lexington, KY?
The driving distance from Columbia, KY to Lexington, KY is about 104.8 miles (168.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 76.2 miles (122.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 47m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 53m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Human settlement in Lincoln County, Kentucky, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Lexington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Lexington.
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1
Start on Public Square
41 m · 2 sec · Public Square
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2
Exit the rotary onto Jamestown Road
25 m · 1 sec · Jamestown Road
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3
Turn slight right onto Jamestown Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · Jamestown Street
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4
Take the ramp left toward KY 55: Columbia
1627 ft · 39 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Cumberland Parkway
12.9 mi · 14 min · Cumberland Parkway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 127: Jamestown, Russell Springs
1751 ft · 30 sec
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7
Merge left
48.4 mi · 56 min
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8
Turn right onto West Main Street
1692 ft · 38 sec · West Main Street
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9
Turn left onto Wilderness Road
1377 ft · 23 sec · Wilderness Road
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10
Continue on East Lexington Avenue
1.5 km · 1 min · East Lexington Avenue
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11
Continue on Lexington Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Lexington Road
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12
Continue on Lexington Road
3.6 mi · 5 min · Lexington Road
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13
Continue on Chenault Bridge Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Chenault Bridge Road
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14
Turn left onto Lexington Road
6.4 mi · 7 min · Lexington Road
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15
Continue on Danville Road
6 mi · 7 min · Danville Road
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16
Turn right onto South Main Street
3.9 mi · 6 min · South Main Street
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17
Turn right onto Lexington Road
4.5 mi · 5 min · Lexington Road
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18
Continue on Nicholasville Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Nicholasville Road
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19
Take the exit slight right toward KY 4 East: New Circle Road
1811 ft · 44 sec
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20
Merge slight left onto New Circle Road
1 mi · 1 min · New Circle Road
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21
Take the exit slight right toward KY 1974: Lexington
1224 ft · 33 sec
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22
Turn right onto Tates Creek Road
1044 ft · 29 sec · Tates Creek Road
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23
Turn left onto Gainesway Drive
1 mi · 2 min · Gainesway Drive
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24
Turn left onto Coldstream Drive
80 m · 9 sec · Coldstream Drive
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Coldstream Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Lexington.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 127
Merge left
48.4 mi · 00h 56m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Columbia and Mostly Sunny near Lexington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Lexington?
The road trip is about 104.8 miles (168.7 km) and usually takes 01h 53m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Hustonville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.2 miles from Columbia and 56.7 miles from Lexington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 76.2 miles (122.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:42 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.95 one way or $27.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.9 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Columbia and Lexington, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Columbia and Mostly Sunny near Lexington.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Lexington. Straight-line distance: 76.2 mi (122.63 km).
#1 Columbia
City in Adair County, Kentucky, United States
| Population | 4,902 |
| Coordinates | 37.1028400, -85.3063500 |
| Altitude | 228 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lexington
The second most populous city in Kentucky.
| Population | 225,366 |
| Coordinates | 37.9886900, -84.4777200 |
| Altitude | 295 |
| Country | United States |
End: Coldstream Drive (-84.477478, 37.988621)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 169 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $13.95 | $27.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $15.74 | $31.47 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $17.22 | $34.44 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $19.62 | $39.25 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Kentucky · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.