How far is Lafayette, IN from Columbus, IN?
The driving distance from Lafayette, IN to Columbus, IN is about 109.1 miles (175.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 98.1 miles (157.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 19m 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 09m.
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.
Included town in Indianapolis
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lafayette and Columbus.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lafayette and Columbus.
-
1
Start on the route
56 m · 16 sec
-
2
Turn right onto Douglas Street
50 m · 8 sec · Douglas Street
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3
Turn left onto Grant Street
11 m · 4 sec · Grant Street
-
4
Turn right onto South Street
2.8 mi · 6 min · South Street
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5
Take the ramp right toward I 65 South: Indianapolis
1898 ft · 25 sec
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6
Merge slight left
42.4 mi · 46 min
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7
Keep slight left
17.1 mi · 22 min
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8
Continue on I 70 East: Dayton
1.9 mi · 3 min
-
9
Keep slight left
41.9 mi · 47 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward SR 46: Columbus, Nashville, Bloomington
855 ft · 19 sec
-
11
Keep slight left
591 ft · 16 sec
-
12
Merge slight right onto Jonathan Moore Pike
2.2 mi · 4 min · Jonathan Moore Pike
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13
Turn left onto Washington Street
119 m · 24 sec · Washington Street
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14
Turn left onto 3rd Street
31 m · 1 sec · 3rd Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lafayette and Columbus.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 65 South
Merge slight left
42.4 mi · 00h 46m
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 Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lafayette and Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbus.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lafayette to Columbus?
The road trip is about 109.1 miles (175.6 km) and usually takes 02h 09m 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 54.6 miles from Lafayette and 54.6 miles from Columbus.
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 2:10 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 Mostly Sunny then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms around Lafayette and Scattered Rain Showers then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbus.
Stop Ideas Near Wynnedale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Avon Town Hall Park
Carmel City Hall
Thomas A. Weaver Municipal Complex
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Wynnedale.
Indianapolis Union Station
Crawfordsville
Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana
Lafayette station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lafayette and Columbus. Straight-line distance: 98.05 mi (157.79 km).
#1 Lafayette
The most populous city in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.
| Population | 71,484 |
| Coordinates | 40.4167000, -86.8752900 |
| Altitude | 211 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Columbus
The most populous city in Bartholomew County, Indiana.
| Population | 48,445 |
| Coordinates | 39.2014400, -85.9213800 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| Country | United States |
End: Columbus (-85.92138, 39.20144)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 176 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 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.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round 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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.