How far is Lake Lotawana, MO from Columbia, MO?
The driving distance from Lake Lotawana, MO to Columbia, MO is about 112.4 miles (180.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 102.7 miles (165.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 44m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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 01h 52m.
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 Saline County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Lotawana and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Lotawana and Columbia.
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1
Start on X Street
970 ft · 43 sec · X Street
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2
Continue on Y Street
1903 ft · 1 min · Y Street
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3
Continue on Z Street
1.1 mi · 4 min · Z Street
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4
Continue on South Lake Shore Drive
1102 ft · 51 sec · South Lake Shore Drive
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5
Turn right onto East Colbern Road
1.6 mi · 4 min · East Colbern Road
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6
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Buckner Tarsney Road
4.9 mi · 8 min · South Buckner Tarsney Road
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7
Continue on North Main Street
1.2 km · 2 min · North Main Street
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8
Take the ramp right toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Columbia, Saint Louis
1045 ft · 25 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
44.8 mi · 48 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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10
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
32 mi · 34 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
22.4 mi · 24 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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12
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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13
Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.3 km · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward MO 163: Downtown
672 ft · 16 sec
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15
Turn right onto North Providence Road
1.2 mi · 3 min · North Providence Road
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Providence Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Lotawana and Columbia.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
44.8 mi · 00h 48m
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.
Sunny leaving Lake Lotawana and Sunny near Columbia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Lotawana to Columbia?
The road trip is about 112.4 miles (180.9 km) and usually takes 01h 52m 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?
Sweet Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 56.2 miles from Lake Lotawana and 56.3 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 102.7 miles (165.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.7 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 2:46 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.97 one way or $29.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lake Lotawana and Sunny near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near Sweet Springs
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 Sweet Springs.
Sedalia
Warrensburg
Lee's Summit
Independence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Lotawana and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 102.67 mi (165.23 km).
#1 Lake Lotawana
City in Jackson County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 2,131 |
| Coordinates | 38.9230600, -94.2441100 |
| Altitude | 274 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Columbia
The most populous city in the state of Missouri.
| Population | 124,769 |
| Coordinates | 38.9517100, -92.3340700 |
| Altitude | 215 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Providence Road (-92.33414, 38.951711)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 181 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $14.97 | $29.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $16.88 | $33.77 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $18.48 | $36.95 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $21.06 | $42.11 |
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 Missouri · 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.