How far is West Lafayette, IN from Columbia, IN?
The driving distance from West Lafayette, IN to Columbia, IN is about 123.9 miles (199.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 107.4 miles (172.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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 02h 48m.
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.
Town in the U.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Lafayette and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Lafayette and Columbia.
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1
Start on Northwestern Avenue
13 m · 2 sec · Northwestern Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Vine Street
84 m · 16 sec · Vine Street
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3
Turn right onto Wiggins Street
1627 ft · 48 sec · Wiggins Street
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4
Continue on Old US Highway 231
1 km · 1 min · Old US Highway 231
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5
Continue on Union Street
1.6 mi · 4 min · Union Street
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6
Turn right onto North Earl Avenue
2673 ft · 1 min · North Earl Avenue
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7
Turn left onto South Street
2 mi · 4 min · South Street
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8
Take the ramp right toward I 65 South: Indianapolis
1898 ft · 25 sec
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9
Merge slight left
42.4 mi · 46 min
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10
Keep slight right
5.1 mi · 6 min
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11
Merge slight right
12.5 mi · 15 min
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12
Merge slight right
9.3 mi · 11 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 52 East: Brookville Road
1635 ft · 40 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on New Palestine
14.6 mi · 22 min
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Main Street
51 m · 3 sec · East Main Street
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16
Exit the roundabout onto East Main Street
17.9 mi · 27 min · East Main Street
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17
Continue on West 3rd Street
1802 ft · 30 sec · West 3rd Street
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18
Continue on West 2nd Street
1249 ft · 23 sec · West 2nd Street
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19
Continue on State Street
9.9 mi · 15 min · State Street
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20
Turn right onto South 650 W
2.1 mi · 5 min · South 650 W
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21
Continue on West Columbia Road
3.7 mi · 9 min · West Columbia Road
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22
Turn right onto South County Road 375 West
2 m · 1 sec · South County Road 375 West
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South County Road 375 West
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Lafayette 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.
I 65 South
Merge slight left
42.4 mi · 00h 46m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving West Lafayette and Slight 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 West Lafayette to Columbia?
The road trip is about 123.9 miles (199.4 km) and usually takes 02h 48m 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?
Chesterton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.9 miles from West Lafayette and 62.1 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 107.4 miles (172.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.5 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 12:54 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.88 one way or $33.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around West Lafayette and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near Chesterton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Noblesville Housing Authority
Carmel City Hall
Thomas A. Weaver Municipal Complex
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Chesterton.
Indianapolis Union Station
Crawfordsville
Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana
Lafayette station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Lafayette and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 107.46 mi (172.94 km).
#1 West Lafayette
The most populous city in Tippecanoe County, Indiana.
| Population | 51,605 |
| Coordinates | 40.4258700, -86.9080700 |
| Altitude | 186 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Columbia
County seat in Indiana
| Population | 9,416 |
| Coordinates | 39.5764400, -85.2071900 |
| Altitude | 303 |
| Country | United States |
End: Columbia (-85.20719, 39.57644)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 199 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.86 | $16.88 | $33.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.46 | $19.47 | $38.94 |
| Premium | $4.99 | $21.80 | $43.60 |
| Diesel | $6.62 | $28.93 | $57.87 |
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 Indiana · Oct 15, 2026