How far is Columbus, GA from Lake City, GA?
The driving distance from Columbus, GA to Lake City, GA is about 107.3 miles (172.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 87.7 miles (141.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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 02m.
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 Troup County, Georgia, 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 Columbus and Lake City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbus and Lake City.
-
1
Start on Veterans Parkway
4 m · 6 sec · Veterans Parkway
-
2
Continue on Veterans Parkway
1426 ft · 47 sec · Veterans Parkway
-
3
Turn right onto 10th Street
2431 ft · 1 min · 10th Street
-
4
Turn left onto 10th Avenue
123 m · 16 sec · 10th Avenue
-
5
Turn sharp right onto Wynnton Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Wynnton Road
-
6
Continue on Macon Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Macon Road
-
7
Take the ramp slight left toward I 185 North
1372 ft · 34 sec
-
8
Merge slight left onto Chet Atkins Parkway
43.7 mi · 47 min · Chet Atkins Parkway
-
9
Merge slight left onto Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
48 mi · 52 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward GA 279: Old National Highway
1 km · 1 min
-
11
Merge slight left
1.2 km · 48 sec
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 285 East: Atlanta International Airport, Macon
2097 ft · 51 sec
-
13
Merge slight left onto Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
6.2 mi · 7 min · Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward GA 54: Jonesboro Road
884 ft · 22 sec
-
15
Turn right
41 m · 3 sec
-
16
Turn slight right onto Jonesboro Road Southeast
2.7 mi · 4 min · Jonesboro Road Southeast
-
17
Turn left onto Forest Parkway
1.3 km · 1 min · Forest Parkway
-
18
Turn right onto North Lake Drive
1644 ft · 47 sec · North Lake Drive
-
19
Turn right
9 m · 2 sec
-
20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbus and Lake City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
48 mi · 00h 52m
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 Columbus and Mostly Sunny near Lake City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbus to Lake City?
The road trip is about 107.3 miles (172.7 km) and usually takes 02h 02m 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?
Hogansville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 53.7 miles from Columbus and 53.6 miles from Lake City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 87.7 miles (141.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.6 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:26 PM EDT.
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 33.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Columbus and Mostly Sunny near Lake City.
Stop Ideas Near Hogansville
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 Hogansville.
Peachtree Station
Anniston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbus and Lake City. Straight-line distance: 87.71 mi (141.15 km).
#1 Columbus
The second most populous city in Georgia.
| Population | 196,442 |
| Coordinates | 32.4609800, -84.9877100 |
| Altitude | 82 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lake City
City in Clayton County, Georgia, USA
| Population | 2,829 |
| Coordinates | 33.6065000, -84.3352000 |
| Altitude | 295 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake City (-84.3352, 33.6065)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 173 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $15.01 | $30.02 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $16.79 | $33.57 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $18.11 | $36.22 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $21.31 | $42.63 |
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 Georgia · 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.