How far is Lochearn, MD from Columbia, MD?

The driving distance from Lochearn, MD to Columbia, MD is about 13.3 miles (21.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 15m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 9.3 miles (15 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
13.32 mi
00h 15m
Flight
9.35 mi
15.04 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lochearn.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
9.35 mi
Kilometers
15.04 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
13.32 mi
Kilometers
21.43 km
Drive Time
00h 15m

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 15m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbia
Fri, Apr 24, 1:00 AM EDT
Return by in Lochearn
Fri, Apr 24, 1:15 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lochearn
2026-04-24T00:44
Arrive Columbia
Fri, Apr 24, 1:00 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 15m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:16 AM to 7:16 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:58 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Lochearn
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

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
Ellicott City
MD

Unincorporated community in Howard County, Maryland, United States

From Lochearn
6.6 mi
00h 07m
To Columbia
6.6 mi
00h 07m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 24 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph E
Destination
74°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 24 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Lochearn and Columbia.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lochearn and Columbia.

  1. 1

    Start on Liberty Road

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Liberty Road

  2. 2

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 695 South: Glen Burnie

    1177 ft · 29 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left onto Baltimore Beltway

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Baltimore Beltway

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward I 70 East, I 70 West: Local Traffic, Frederick

    829 ft · 17 sec

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on I 70 West: Frederick

    2891 ft · 1 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    3.7 mi · 4 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight left toward US 29 South: Columbia, Washington, Ellicott City

    1.3 km · 2 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight right onto Columbia Pike

    3.5 mi · 4 min · Columbia Pike

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward MD 108 West: Clarksville, Dorsey's Search, Harper's Choice

    2076 ft · 51 sec

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lochearn and Columbia.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
10 steps
0 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
75.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 70 West
4.21 mi · 32%
Columbia Pike
3.49 mi · 26%
Baltimore Beltway
2.55 mi · 19%
Liberty Road
1.44 mi · 11%
US 29 South
0.84 mi · 6%
MD 108 West
0.39 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 70 West

Merge slight left

3.66 mi · 00h 04m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 15m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4 mi
9.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ellicott City
00h 07m from Lochearn
Leave By
7:58 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lochearn and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbia.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lochearn to Columbia?

The road trip is about 13.3 miles (21.4 km) and usually takes 00h 15m 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?

Ellicott City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.6 miles from Lochearn and 6.6 miles from Columbia.

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

The direct path is about 9.3 miles (15 km), while the road route adds roughly 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:58 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.92 one way or $3.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lochearn and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbia.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lochearn and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 9.35 mi (15.04 km).

Lochearn

#1 Lochearn

Census designated place

Population25,333
Coordinates39.3406600, -76.7221900
Altitude126
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Columbia

Columbia is a place in Maryland, United States.

Population0
Coordinates39.2403800, -76.8394200
Altitude124
CountryUnited States
Start: Liberty Road (-76.722217, 39.340617)
End: (-76.839402, 39.240355)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 21 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 15m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 13m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 11m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.47 gal
1.78 L · about $1.92
Round trip
$3.84
0.94 gal · 3.56 L
Estimated CO2
4.2 kg one way
Round trip: 8.4 kg / 19 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $1.92 $3.84
Mid-grade $4.60 $2.16 $4.32
Premium $4.95 $2.33 $4.66
Diesel $5.98 $2.81 $5.62

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 24, 2026

There is no time difference between Lochearn and Columbia. The current time is 00:44:33.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — 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.