How far is Columbia, TN from Lakeland, TN?

The driving distance from Columbia, TN to Lakeland, TN is about 174 miles (280.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 19m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 154.6 miles (248.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
174.05 mi
03h 19m
Flight
154.6 mi
248.8 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Columbia.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
154.6 mi
Kilometers
248.8 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
174.05 mi
Kilometers
280.11 km
Drive Time
03h 19m

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 03h 19m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lakeland
Sat, Apr 18, 5:46 AM CDT
Return by in Columbia
Sat, Apr 18, 9:06 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbia
2026-04-18T02:26
Arrive Lakeland
Sat, Apr 18, 5:46 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 19m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:20 AM to 11:20 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:20 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Columbia
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Lexington
TN

City in Henderson County, Tennessee, United States

From Columbia
86.9 mi
01h 39m
To Lakeland
87.1 mi
01h 39m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph WSW
Destination
79°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Lakeland.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Lakeland.

  1. 1

    Start on West 7th Street

    2718 ft · 55 sec · West 7th Street

  2. 2

    Keep slight right to continue on West 7th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · West 7th Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Hampshire Pike

    16.5 mi · 20 min · Hampshire Pike

  4. 4

    Continue on Columbia Highway

    13 mi · 17 min · Columbia Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on East Main Street

    4.6 mi · 5 min · East Main Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Linden Highway

    51.3 mi · 59 min · Linden Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on West Church Sttreet

    2.2 mi · 2 min · West Church Sttreet

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    10.5 mi · 12 min

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Law Road

    1.3 km · 1 min · Law Road

  10. 10

    Take the exit left

    1042 ft · 25 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    72.7 mi · 1 hr 19 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Canada Road, Lakeland

    883 ft · 22 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Canada Road North

    131 m · 10 sec

  14. 14

    Turn straight onto Canada Road

    2312 ft · 56 sec · Canada Road

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Leeward Slopes Lane

    70 m · 10 sec · Leeward Slopes Lane

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Leeward Slopes Lane

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Lakeland.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
16 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Law Road
73.7 mi · 42%
Linden Highway
51.3 mi · 29%
Hampshire Pike
16.5 mi · 9%
Columbia Highway
13 mi · 7%
West Church Sttreet
12.7 mi · 7%
East Main Street
4.59 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Law Road

Merge slight left

72.7 mi · 01h 19m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 19m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.4 mi
154.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lexington
01h 39m from Columbia
Leave By
10:20 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Columbia and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lakeland.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Lakeland?

The road trip is about 174 miles (280.1 km) and usually takes 03h 19m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Lexington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.9 miles from Columbia and 87.1 miles from Lakeland.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 154.6 miles (248.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:20 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.15 one way or $46.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.6 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 Lakeland.

Stop Ideas Near Lexington

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Lexington, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lexington.

RAIL

Newbern–Dyersburg

94 mi away
108 Jefferson St
RAIL

Fulton

107 mi away
21 Newton Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Lakeland. Straight-line distance: 154.6 mi (248.8 km).

Columbia

#1 Columbia

The county seat of Maury County, Tennessee.

Population41,826
Coordinates35.6150700, -87.0352800
Altitude196
CountryUnited States
Lakeland

#2 Lakeland

City in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States

Population12,657
Coordinates35.2306400, -89.7403600
Altitude121
CountryUnited States
Start: Columbia (-87.03528, 35.61507)
End: Lakeland (-89.74036, 35.23064)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 280 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 21m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 54m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 10m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.14 gal
23.25 L · about $23.15
Round trip
$46.31
12.28 gal · 46.5 L
Estimated CO2
54.6 kg one way
Round trip: 109.1 kg / 241 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.15 $46.31
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.11 $52.23
Premium $4.65 $28.58 $57.15
Diesel $5.30 $32.57 $65.13

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 Tennessee · Apr 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Columbia and Lakeland. The current time is 02:26:51.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.