How far is Columbus, MS from Laurel, MS?

The driving distance from Columbus, MS to Laurel, MS is about 147.8 miles (237.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 131 miles (210.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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
147.8 mi
02h 49m
Flight
131.04 mi
210.89 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
131.04 mi
Kilometers
210.89 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
147.8 mi
Kilometers
237.86 km
Drive Time
02h 49m

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 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Laurel
Thu, Sep 17, 1:50 PM CDT
Return by in Columbus
Thu, Sep 17, 4:39 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbus
2026-09-17T11:00
Arrive Laurel
Thu, Sep 17, 1:50 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:50 AM to 12:50 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:50 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Columbus
9:30 PM CDT
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
Marion
MS

Suburb town of Meridian, located in Lauderdale County, Mississippi

From Columbus
74 mi
01h 24m
To Laurel
73.8 mi
01h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
96°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Sep 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph E
Destination
93°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Sep 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph ENE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North 6th Street

    37 m · 9 sec · North 6th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1545 ft · 42 sec · Main Street

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street

    18 m · 1 sec · Main Street

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto Main Street

    3121 ft · 1 min · Main Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight left

    1238 ft · 30 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    2.8 mi · 3 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 45 South: Macon, Meridian

    1011 ft · 43 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on US 45 South: Macon, Meridian

    41 m · 8 sec

  9. 9

    Turn left

    14.5 mi · 17 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    64.3 mi · 1 hr 14 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right

    3.9 mi · 4 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian

    2689 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    6.3 mi · 8 min

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    1.8 mi · 2 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans

    51.2 mi · 55 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 84 East: Waynesboro, Chantilly Street

    801 ft · 20 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight right

    68 m · 7 sec

  18. 18

    Turn straight onto Chantilly Street

    994 ft · 23 sec · Chantilly Street

  19. 19

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Cross Street

    1035 ft · 18 sec · Cross Street

  20. 20

    Continue on Teresa Street

    1080 ft · 27 sec · Teresa Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto North Magnolia Street

    738 ft · 19 sec · North Magnolia Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto North Magnolia Street

    81 m · 13 sec · North Magnolia Street

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Yates Avenue

    126 m · 18 sec · Yates Avenue

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Yates Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
24 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
2 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 45 South
68.4 mi · 46%
I 59 South
59.8 mi · 40%
Main Street
3.97 mi · 3%
Teresa Street
0.2 mi
Cross Street
0.2 mi
US 84 East
0.19 mi
Longest Stretch

US 45 South

Continue straight

64.3 mi · 01h 14m

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
02h 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.8 mi
131 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Marion
01h 24m from Columbus
Leave By
12:50 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Columbus and Sunny near Laurel.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 147.8 miles (237.9 km) and usually takes 02h 49m 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?

Marion is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74 miles from Columbus and 73.8 miles from Laurel.

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

The direct path is about 131 miles (210.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.8 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 12:50 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.30 one way or $40.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Columbus and Sunny near Laurel.

Stop Ideas Near Marion

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Marion, 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 Marion.

RAIL

Union Station

7 mi away
1901 Front Street
RAIL

Laurel station

92 mi away
230 North Maple Street
BUS

Thomasville, AL

101 mi away
34390 US Highway 43
BUS

Grove Hill, AL

115 mi away
430 South Jackson Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbus and Laurel. Straight-line distance: 131.04 mi (210.89 km).

Columbus

#1 Columbus

County seat of Lowndes County, Mississippi, United States

Population23,307
Coordinates33.4956700, -88.4272600
Altitude66
CountryUnited States
Laurel

#2 Laurel

City in Mississippi, United States of America

Population18,197
Coordinates31.6940500, -89.1306100
Altitude82
CountryUnited States
Start: Columbus (-88.42726, 33.49567)
End: Laurel (-89.13061, 31.69405)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 238 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 41m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 06m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 50m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.21 gal
19.74 L · about $20.30
Round trip
$40.60
10.42 gal · 39.48 L
Estimated CO2
46.3 kg one way
Round trip: 92.6 kg / 204 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.90 $20.30 $40.60
Mid-grade $4.35 $22.66 $45.32
Premium $4.74 $24.67 $49.34
Diesel $5.93 $30.90 $61.79

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 Mississippi · Sep 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Columbus and Laurel. The current time is 11:00:35.

Distance to Other Cities

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