How far is Columbia, MO from Lawson, MO?
The driving distance from Columbia, MO to Lawson, MO is about 128.3 miles (206.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 105.6 miles (170 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 14m 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 37m.
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 Lafayette and Saline counties in the U.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Lawson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Lawson.
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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
19.8 mi · 21 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward MO 13: Higginsville, Warrensburg
1012 ft · 26 sec
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8
Turn right
24.6 mi · 31 min
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9
Take the exit left toward MO 10 West: Excelsior Springs
1495 ft · 41 sec
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10
Continue straight
2.6 mi · 3 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on MO 10 West: Excelsior Springs
13.5 mi · 19 min
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12
Turn right onto Saratoga Street
773 ft · 27 sec · Saratoga Street
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13
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Broadway Street
2186 ft · 1 min · East Broadway Street
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14
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Kansas City Avenue
1334 ft · 37 sec · North Kansas City Avenue
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Cliff Drive
548 ft · 16 sec · Cliff Drive
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16
Turn right onto Dunbar Avenue
2366 ft · 1 min · Dunbar Avenue
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17
Continue on Miller Avenue
892 ft · 25 sec · Miller Avenue
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18
Turn right onto North Jesse James Road
1.3 km · 2 min · North Jesse James Road
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19
Turn right
4.4 mi · 6 min
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20
Turn right onto Northeast 184th Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Northeast 184th Street
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21
Turn straight onto Salem Road
1.2 km · 2 min · Salem Road
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22
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Moss Street
1851 ft · 56 sec · West Moss Street
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23
Turn left onto South Pennsylvania Avenue
1492 ft · 43 sec · South Pennsylvania Avenue
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24
Turn right onto East 4th Street
14 m · 2 sec · East 4th Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 4th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Lawson.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Columbia and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lawson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Lawson?
The road trip is about 128.3 miles (206.5 km) and usually takes 02h 37m 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?
Emma is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.1 miles from Columbia and 64.2 miles from Lawson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 105.6 miles (170 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.7 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 1:16 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.08 one way or $34.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Columbia and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lawson.
Stop Ideas Near Emma
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 Emma.
Warrensburg
Sedalia
Lee's Summit
Independence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Lawson. Straight-line distance: 105.63 mi (169.99 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 Lawson
City in Ray County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 2,402 |
| Coordinates | 39.4383400, -94.2041100 |
| Altitude | 325 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lawson (-94.20411, 39.43834)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 207 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.08 | $34.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.27 | $38.53 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $21.08 | $42.17 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $24.03 | $48.05 |
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 · 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.