How far is Lake Shore, MD from Columbia, MD?
The driving distance from Lake Shore, MD to Columbia, MD is about 24.7 miles (39.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.1 miles (34 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 27m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Census-designated place in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Shore and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Shore and Columbia.
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1
Start on Mountain Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Mountain Road
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2
Turn left onto Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway
3.7 mi · 5 min · Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway
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3
Merge slight left onto Arundel Expressway
2374 ft · 37 sec · Arundel Expressway
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4
Keep slight left to continue on Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway
17.5 mi · 24 min · Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway
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5
Keep slight left to continue on US 29 South: Washington
3071 ft · 48 sec
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6
Merge slight right onto Columbia Pike
2504 ft · 31 sec · Columbia Pike
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7
Take the exit slight right toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice
2076 ft · 51 sec
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8
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Shore and Columbia.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Paul T. Pitcher Memorial Highway
17.5 mi · 00h 24m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Lake Shore and Partly Cloudy near Columbia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Shore to Columbia?
The road trip is about 24.7 miles (39.8 km) and usually takes 00h 27m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Severn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.4 miles from Lake Shore and 12.4 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.1 miles (34 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:34 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.55 one way or $7.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lake Shore and Partly Cloudy near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near Severn
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Bowie
Baltimore City Hall
Kenhill Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Severn.
BWI Rail Station
Pennsylvania Station
New Carrollton station
Washington Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Shore and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 21.1 mi (33.96 km).
#1 Lake Shore
City in Cass County, Minnesota, United States of America
| Population | 19,477 |
| Coordinates | 39.1070500, -76.4849600 |
| Altitude | 17 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Columbia
Columbia is a place in Maryland, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.2403800, -76.8394200 |
| Altitude | 124 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-76.839402, 39.240355)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 40 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $3.55 | $7.11 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $4.00 | $8.00 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $4.31 | $8.62 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $5.20 | $10.41 |
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 Maryland · Apr 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.