How far is Columbia, MO from Lexington, MO?
The driving distance from Columbia, MO to Lexington, MO is about 96.1 miles (154.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 84.4 miles (135.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 44m 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 52m.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
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.
-
1
Start on North Providence Road
1.2 mi · 3 min · North Providence Road
-
2
Turn left onto I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
712 ft · 17 sec
-
3
Merge slight left onto Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.3 km · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
-
4
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
5
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
-
6
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
19.8 mi · 21 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward MO 13: Higginsville, Warrensburg
1012 ft · 26 sec
-
8
Turn right
15.5 mi · 21 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward MO 224: Lexington
1289 ft · 31 sec
-
10
Turn right
1.8 mi · 4 min
-
11
Turn left onto South 13th Street
81 m · 9 sec · South 13th Street
-
12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 13th Street
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.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Columbia and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 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 96.1 miles (154.6 km) and usually takes 01h 52m 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?
Nelson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 47.9 miles from Columbia and 48.1 miles from Lexington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 84.4 miles (135.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.7 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 2:46 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.78 one way or $25.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Columbia and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lexington.
Stop Ideas Near Nelson
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 Nelson.
Sedalia
Warrensburg
Jefferson City
Lee's Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Lexington. Straight-line distance: 84.48 mi (135.95 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 Lexington
City in Lafayette County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 4,543 |
| Coordinates | 39.1847300, -93.8799400 |
| Altitude | 259 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lexington (-93.87994, 39.18473)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 155 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $12.78 | $25.57 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $14.42 | $28.84 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $15.78 | $31.55 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $17.98 | $35.96 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.