How far is Lakeland, GA from Columbus, GA?

Fastest route

The distance from Lakeland, Georgia (zip code 31635) to Columbus, Georgia is approximately 171 miles (275 kilometers). The estimated travel time is around 3 hours and 1 minute, following the fastest route via US-82 W and GA-520 W. Please note that the travel time may vary depending on traffic conditions.

Directions

  1. Head east on W Main St toward Center St. πŸšΆβ€β™‚οΈ
  2. Turn left after Subway (on the right). 🚦
  3. Turn left at the 1st cross street onto E Church St. πŸ”„
  4. Slight right onto US-129 N/W Thigpen Ave. πŸ›£οΈ
  5. Continue to follow US-129 N until you reach GA-37 W/Main St in Ray City. πŸš—
  6. Continue onto GA-37 W/Main St, passing by Hardee's (on the left). 🏎️
  7. Turn right onto the ramp to Macon and get on I-75 N in Adel. 🚘
  8. Follow I-75 N, US-82 W, and GA-520 W to Veterans Pkwy in Columbus. πŸš—

Tips & Suggestions

  • 🚦 Tip: Check traffic conditions before starting your journey to avoid potential delays.
  • πŸ” Tip: Consider stopping for a meal or snacks along the way to stay energized.
  • β›½ Tip: Make sure your vehicle has enough fuel for the trip, especially if it's a long drive.
  • πŸ›£οΈ Tip: Familiarize yourself with the route beforehand or use GPS navigation to avoid getting lost.
  • πŸš— Tip: Plan for rest stops if the journey takes a few hours to ensure driver fatigue is minimized.

FAQs

Q: What is the total distance between Lakeland, Georgia, and Columbus, Georgia? A: The total distance is approximately 171 miles (275 kilometers).

Q: How long does it take to travel from Lakeland to Columbus following the fastest route? A: The estimated travel time is around 3 hours and 1 minute.

Q: Which roads should I take to get from Lakeland to Columbus? A: Follow the route via US-82 W and GA-520 W for the fastest journey.

Q: Are there any potential traffic issues on the route? A: It's advisable to check traffic conditions before starting your trip to account for any potential delays.

Q: Can you recommend any places to stop along the way? A: There are various amenities and dining options available along the route to take breaks and refresh yourself.

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
170.6 mi
02h 59m
Flight
149.17 mi
240.06 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lakeland.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
149.17 mi
Kilometers
240.06 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
170.6 mi
Kilometers
274.56 km
Drive Time
02h 59m

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 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbus
Sat, Apr 18, 8:00 AM EDT
Return by in Lakeland
Sat, Apr 18, 10:59 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lakeland
2026-04-18T05:01
Arrive Columbus
Sat, Apr 18, 8:00 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:59 AM to 12:59 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:32 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lakeland
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
Albany
GA

The capital of Georgia.

From Lakeland
83.9 mi
01h 29m
To Columbus
86.7 mi
01h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
92Β°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW
Destination
87Β°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 7:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Main Street

    126 m Β· 10 sec Β· West Main Street

  2. 2

    Continue on West Thigpen Avenue

    20.2 mi Β· 29 min Β· West Thigpen Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left

    4.2 mi Β· 8 min

  4. 4

    Continue straight

    18 mi Β· 26 min

  5. 5

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Cool Springs Road

    38 m Β· 2 sec

  6. 6

    Exit the rotary

    1.3 km Β· 1 min

  7. 7

    Turn right onto East Bypass

    1.8 mi Β· 3 min Β· East Bypass

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    32.3 mi Β· 39 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 19 North, GA 133 North, GA 300 North: Albany, Atlanta

    2958 ft Β· 46 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Liberty Expressway

    10.7 mi Β· 13 min Β· Liberty Expressway

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    9.5 mi Β· 12 min

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto Albany Highway

    5.4 mi Β· 6 min Β· Albany Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on Forrester Drive Southeast

    1.1 mi Β· 2 min Β· Forrester Drive Southeast

  14. 14

    Continue on Rountree Drive Southwest

    2937 ft Β· 1 min Β· Rountree Drive Southwest

  15. 15

    Continue on Vine Street Northwest

    1493 ft Β· 32 sec Β· Vine Street Northwest

  16. 16

    Continue on Roundtree Drive

    1283 ft Β· 27 sec Β· Roundtree Drive

  17. 17

    Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Drive

    2414 ft Β· 44 sec Β· Martin Luther King Jr Drive

  18. 18

    Continue on Columbus Highway

    8 mi Β· 10 min Β· Columbus Highway

  19. 19

    Continue on South Parrott Street

    8.7 mi Β· 11 min Β· South Parrott Street

  20. 20

    Keep slight left

    8.3 mi Β· 10 min

  21. 21

    Continue on Richland Bypass

    15.4 mi Β· 18 min Β· Richland Bypass

  22. 22

    Continue straight

    3.3 mi Β· 4 min

  23. 23

    Continue on Martha Berry Highway

    16.3 mi Β· 24 min Β· Martha Berry Highway

  24. 24

    Continue on 4th Street

    2882 ft Β· 1 min Β· 4th Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto 6th Avenue

    1.1 km Β· 1 min Β· 6th Avenue

  26. 26

    Turn left onto 9th Street

    864 ft Β· 40 sec Β· 9th Street

  27. 27

    Turn left onto Veterans Parkway

    715 ft Β· 25 sec Β· Veterans Parkway

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m Β· 1 sec Β· Veterans Parkway

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
28 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Thigpen Avenue
38.2 mi Β· 22%
East Bypass
34.1 mi Β· 20%
Liberty Expressway
20.2 mi Β· 12%
Richland Bypass
18.7 mi Β· 11%
South Parrott Street
17 mi Β· 10%
Martha Berry Highway
16.3 mi Β· 10%
Longest Stretch

East Bypass

Continue straight

32.3 mi Β· 00h 39m

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 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.4 mi
149.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Albany
01h 29m from Lakeland
Leave By
12:32 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Lakeland and Mostly Sunny near Columbus.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 170.6 miles (274.6 km) and usually takes 02h 59m 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?

Albany is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.9 miles from Lakeland and 86.7 miles from Columbus.

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

The direct path is about 149.2 miles (240.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.4 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 12:32 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.85 one way or $47.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lakeland and Mostly Sunny near Columbus.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lakeland and Columbus. Straight-line distance: 149.17 mi (240.06 km).

Lakeland

#1 Lakeland

City in Lanier County, Georgia, United States

Population3,342
Coordinates31.0410400, -83.0751500
Altitude60
CountryUnited States
Columbus

#2 Columbus

The second most populous city in Georgia.

Population196,442
Coordinates32.4609800, -84.9877100
Altitude82
CountryUnited States
Start: West Main Street (-83.075159, 31.041085)
End: 8th Street (-84.987719, 32.460947)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 275 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 41m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 15m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 50m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 07m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.02 gal
22.79 L Β· about $23.85
Round trip
$47.69
12.04 gal Β· 45.58 L
Estimated CO2
53.5 kg one way
Round trip: 107 kg / 236 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $23.85 $47.69
Mid-grade $4.43 $26.66 $53.33
Premium $4.78 $28.76 $57.53
Diesel $5.62 $33.86 $67.71

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 Georgia Β· Apr 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Lakeland and Columbus. The current time is 05:01:30.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh β€” 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.