How far is Columbus, IN from Lafayette, IN?

The driving distance from Columbus, IN to Lafayette, IN is about 109.1 miles (175.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 98.1 miles (157.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
109.13 mi
01h 47m
Flight
98.05 mi
157.79 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Columbus.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
98.05 mi
Kilometers
157.79 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
109.13 mi
Kilometers
175.62 km
Drive Time
01h 47m

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 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lafayette
Mon, May 4, 4:58 PM EDT
Return by in Columbus
Mon, May 4, 6:46 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbus
2026-05-04T15:11
Arrive Lafayette
Mon, May 4, 4:58 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:47 AM to 11:47 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:56 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Columbus
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Wynnedale
IN

Included town in Indianapolis

From Columbus
54.5 mi
00h 53m
To Lafayette
54.6 mi
00h 53m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Monday

Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 13 mph SW
Destination
74°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 16 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Columbus and Lafayette.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Columbus and Lafayette.

  1. 1

    Start on 3rd Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Jonathan Moore Pike

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Jonathan Moore Pike

  3. 3

    Take the exit slight right toward I 65 North: Indianapolis

    1413 ft · 41 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    43.2 mi · 49 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight right

    29.8 mi · 36 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 52 West

    1281 ft · 16 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    786 ft · 10 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    29.9 mi · 32 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 26: Lafayette, Rossville

    1275 ft · 29 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left

    828 ft · 24 sec

  11. 11

    Continue on South Street

    2.7 mi · 5 min · South Street

  12. 12

    Turn slight left onto Jackson Street

    644 ft · 30 sec · Jackson Street

  13. 13

    Turn right

    54 m · 13 sec

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbus and Lafayette.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
14 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 65 North
73.3 mi · 67%
US 52 West
30.3 mi · 28%
South Street
2.69 mi · 2%
Jonathan Moore Pike
1.44 mi · 1%
3rd Street
0.7 mi · 1%
SR 26
0.24 mi
Longest Stretch

I 65 North

Merge slight left

43.2 mi · 00h 49m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 47m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11 mi
98.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wynnedale
00h 53m from Columbus
Leave By
2:56 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Columbus and Mostly Sunny then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms near Lafayette.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Columbus to Lafayette?

The road trip is about 109.1 miles (175.6 km) and usually takes 01h 47m 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?

Wynnedale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 54.5 miles from Columbus and 54.6 miles from Lafayette.

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

The direct path is about 98.1 miles (157.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 11 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 2:56 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.52 one way or $29.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms around Columbus and Mostly Sunny then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms near Lafayette.

Stop Ideas Near Wynnedale

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Wynnedale and the surrounding midpoint area.
Avon Town Hall Park
Scenic stop 10.2 mi away

Avon Town Hall Park

Avon , IN
6570 E US Hwy 36, Avon, IN 46123, United States
Rating 4.7/5 886 reviews Tourist attraction,City park
Carmel City Hall
Meeting point 10.6 mi away

Carmel City Hall

Carmel , IN
Carmel City Hall (second floor One, 1 Civic Square, Carmel, IN 46032
Rating 3.1/5 18 reviews Government office,City courthouse
Thomas A. Weaver Municipal Complex
Nearby stop 14.6 mi away

Thomas A. Weaver Municipal Complex

Fishers , IN
1 Municipal Dr, Fishers, IN 46038
Rating 4.5/5 184 reviews Business center,Association or organization

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Indianapolis Union Station

8 mi away
350 South Illinois Street
RAIL

Crawfordsville

64 mi away
Spring and Green Streets
BUS

Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana

66 mi away
1000 Smith Ave
RAIL

Lafayette station

88 mi away
200 North 2nd St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbus and Lafayette. Straight-line distance: 98.05 mi (157.79 km).

Columbus

#1 Columbus

The most populous city in Bartholomew County, Indiana.

Population48,445
Coordinates39.2014400, -85.9213800
Altitude192
CountryUnited States
Lafayette

#2 Lafayette

The most populous city in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.

Population71,484
Coordinates40.4167000, -86.8752900
Altitude211
CountryUnited States
Start: 3rd Street (-85.921376, 39.201382)
End: (-86.875433, 40.416605)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 176 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.85 gal
14.58 L · about $14.52
Round trip
$29.04
7.7 gal · 29.16 L
Estimated CO2
34.2 kg one way
Round trip: 68.4 kg / 151 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $14.52 $29.04
Mid-grade $4.25 $16.37 $32.75
Premium $4.65 $17.92 $35.84
Diesel $5.30 $20.42 $40.84

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 Indiana · May 04, 2026

There is no time difference between Columbus and Lafayette. The current time is 15:11:35.

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.