How far is Columbia, MO from Lake Lotawana, MO?
The driving distance from Columbia, MO to Lake Lotawana, MO is about 112.7 miles (181.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 102.7 miles (165.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 31m 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 02h 15m.
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.
City in Saline County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Lake Lotawana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Lake Lotawana.
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1
Start on North Providence Road
1.2 mi · 3 min · North Providence Road
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2
Turn left onto I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
712 ft · 17 sec
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3
Merge slight left onto Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.3 km · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
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4
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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5
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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6
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
44.8 mi · 48 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward MO AA, US 40, MO BB: Grain Valley, Buckner
1126 ft · 34 sec
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8
Turn left onto North Main Street
1.3 km · 2 min · North Main Street
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9
Continue on South Buckner Tarsney Road /Missouri BB Highway
955 ft · 33 sec · South Buckner Tarsney Road /Missouri BB Highway
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10
Continue on South Buckner Tarsney Road / Missouri BB Highway
763 ft · 14 sec · South Buckner Tarsney Road / Missouri BB Highway
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11
Continue on South Buckner Tarsney Road / Missouri BB Highway
4.6 mi · 8 min · South Buckner Tarsney Road / Missouri BB Highway
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12
Turn right onto East Colbern Road
1.6 mi · 4 min · East Colbern Road
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13
Turn left onto South Lake Shore Drive
1241 ft · 55 sec · South Lake Shore Drive
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14
Continue on Z Street
1.1 mi · 4 min · Z Street
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15
Continue on Y Street
1903 ft · 1 min · Y Street
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16
Continue on X Street
970 ft · 43 sec · X Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · X Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Lake Lotawana.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 00h 58m
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.
Sunny leaving Columbia and Sunny near Lake Lotawana.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Lake Lotawana?
The road trip is about 112.7 miles (181.3 km) and usually takes 02h 15m 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?
Sweet Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 56.2 miles from Columbia and 56.4 miles from Lake Lotawana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 102.7 miles (165.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 10 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 1:58 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.01 one way or $30.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Columbia and Sunny near Lake Lotawana.
Stop Ideas Near Sweet Springs
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sweet Springs.
Sedalia
Warrensburg
Lee's Summit
Independence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Lake Lotawana. Straight-line distance: 102.67 mi (165.23 km).
#1 Columbia
The most populous city in the state of Missouri.
| Population | 124,769 |
| Coordinates | 38.9517100, -92.3340700 |
| Altitude | 215 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lake Lotawana
City in Jackson County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 2,131 |
| Coordinates | 38.9230600, -94.2441100 |
| Altitude | 274 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Lotawana (-94.24411, 38.92306)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 181 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $15.01 | $30.02 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $16.93 | $33.85 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $18.52 | $37.05 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $21.11 | $42.22 |
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 Missouri · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.