How far is Madison, GA from Columbus, GA?

The driving distance from Madison, GA to Columbus, GA is about 160.9 miles (258.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 117.9 miles (189.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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
160.89 mi
02h 30m
Flight
117.88 mi
189.71 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Madison.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
117.88 mi
Kilometers
189.71 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
160.89 mi
Kilometers
258.93 km
Drive Time
02h 30m

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 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbus
Thu, Apr 30, 4:49 PM EDT
Return by in Madison
Thu, Apr 30, 7:20 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Madison
2026-04-30T14:18
Arrive Columbus
Thu, Apr 30, 4:49 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:31 AM to 12:31 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:28 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Madison
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
Palmetto
GA

City in Coweta and Fulton Counties, Georgia, United States

From Madison
80.9 mi
01h 15m
To Columbus
80 mi
01h 15m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
59°F
Overnight

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 12:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 mph
Destination
61°F
Tonight

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 12:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Main Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · North Main Street

  2. 2

    Keep slight right to continue on South Main Street

    2579 ft · 1 min · South Main Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Atlanta Highway

    1938 ft · 40 sec · Atlanta Highway

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Monticello Highway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Monticello Highway

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right toward I-20 West: Atlanta

    2275 ft · 56 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Highway

    45.4 mi · 49 min · Purple Heart Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Ralph David Abernathy Freeway

    565 ft · 7 sec · Ralph David Abernathy Freeway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 285 South Bypass: Atlanta Airport, Macon

    1.5 km · 2 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter

    13.9 mi · 16 min · Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 85 South, I 85 North: Columbus, Montgomery, Atlanta, Domestic Airport

    1026 ft · 25 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 85 South: Columbus, Montgomery

    1.6 km · 2 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    48.4 mi · 52 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Chet Atkins Parkway

    44.7 mi · 48 min · Chet Atkins Parkway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward GA 22 Spur: Macon Road

    930 ft · 23 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on GA 22 Spur West

    115 m · 9 sec

  16. 16

    Turn slight right onto Macon Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Macon Road

  17. 17

    Continue on Wynnton Road

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Wynnton Road

  18. 18

    Turn sharp left onto 10th Avenue

    123 m · 12 sec · 10th Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right onto 10th Street

    2431 ft · 54 sec · 10th Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Veterans Parkway

    1406 ft · 43 sec · Veterans Parkway

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Veterans Parkway

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
21 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 85 South
49.6 mi · 31%
Purple Heart Highway
45.4 mi · 28%
Chet Atkins Parkway
44.7 mi · 28%
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
13.9 mi · 9%
Wynnton Road
1.57 mi · 1%
Monticello Highway
1.42 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 85 South

Merge slight left

48.4 mi · 00h 52m

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 30m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+43 mi
117.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Palmetto
01h 15m from Madison
Leave By
1:28 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Madison and 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 Madison to Columbus?

The road trip is about 160.9 miles (258.9 km) and usually takes 02h 30m 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?

Palmetto is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.9 miles from Madison and 80 miles from Columbus.

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

The direct path is about 117.9 miles (189.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 43 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 1:28 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.50 one way or $45.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Madison and Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbus.

Stop Ideas Near Palmetto

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Palmetto, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Palmetto.

RAIL

Peachtree Station

41 mi away
1688 Peachtree Street, NW
RAIL

Anniston

109 mi away
126 West 4th St
RAIL

Gainesville

115 mi away
116 Industrial Boulevard

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Madison and Columbus. Straight-line distance: 117.88 mi (189.71 km).

Madison

#1 Madison

Town in Morgan County, Georgia, United States

Population4,258
Coordinates33.5956800, -83.4679400
Altitude207
CountryUnited States
Columbus

#2 Columbus

The second most populous city in Georgia.

Population196,442
Coordinates32.4609800, -84.9877100
Altitude82
CountryUnited States
Start: North Main Street (-83.467952, 33.595689)
End: Veterans Parkway (-84.987719, 32.460947)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 259 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 13m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 17m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 00m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.68 gal
21.49 L · about $22.50
Round trip
$45.00
11.36 gal · 42.98 L
Estimated CO2
50.5 kg one way
Round trip: 101 kg / 223 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $22.50 $45.00
Mid-grade $4.43 $25.16 $50.31
Premium $4.78 $27.14 $54.28
Diesel $5.62 $31.94 $63.89

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 · Apr 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Madison and Columbus. The current time is 14:18:55.

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.