The drive from Lakeland, GA to Columbus, GA covers 167.7 miles and takes about 3h 42m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on GA 33, West Thigpen Avenue, GA 37 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 32.3 miles on GA 33.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.22 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
83.9 miles from Lakeland, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 42m. Total distance: 167.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (52%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Lakeland, GA to Columbus, GA covers 167.7 miles and takes about 3h 42m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
GA 33 is the longest continuous segment at about 32.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 20.3 miles in near GA 76.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 167.7 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 20.3 miles (GA 76): Lane positioning matters here; at 42.5 miles (GA 37): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 43.4 miles (US 319; GA 35; GA 133 / East Bypass): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
20.3 mi into trip|~29m in|GA 76
Turn left onto GA 76
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
42.5 mi into trip|~1h 3m in|GA 37
Enter roundabout onto GA 37
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
43.4 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|US 319; GA 35; GA 133 / East Bypass
Turn right onto US 319; GA 35; GA 133 / East Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
77.5 mi into trip|~1h 46m in|GA 133
Take the exit onto GA 133 toward US 19 North, GA 133 North, GA 300 North: Albany, Atlanta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 19 North, GA 133 North, GA 300 North:...
5
166.7 mi into trip|~3h 40m in|6th Avenue
Turn right onto 6th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Lakeland, GA to Columbus, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Atlanta along the way.
Atlanta
77.5 mi in|~1h 46m|via GA 133
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
GA 33
32.3 mi
39m
West Thigpen Avenue
20.2 mi
28m
GA 37
18.9 mi
27m
Martha Berry Highway
16.3 mi
23m
Richland Bypass
15.4 mi
17m
Liberty Expressway
10.7 mi
13m
US 82
9.5 mi
12m
South Parrott Street
8.7 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
GA 33
— 32.3 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeland, GA and Columbus, GA.
1
Start on US 129; US 221; GA 11; GA 31; GA 37; GA 122; GA 135
413 ft·10 sec·West Main Street
2
Continue on US 129; GA 11; GA 37
20 mi·28 min·West Thigpen Avenue
3
Turn left onto GA 76
4.2 mi·7 min·GA 76
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on GA 37
18 mi·26 min·GA 37
5
Enter roundabout onto GA 37
125 ft·2 sec·GA 37
6
Continue on GA 37
0.8 mi·1 min·GA 37
7
Turn right onto US 319; GA 35; GA 133
1.8 mi·2 min·East Bypass
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on GA 33; GA 133
32 mi·39 min·GA 33; GA 133
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit onto GA 133
0.6 mi·45 sec·GA 133
Toward US 19 North, GA 133 North, GA 300 North: Albany, Atlanta
10
Merge onto US 19; GA 3; GA 133; GA 300
11 mi·13 min·Liberty Expressway
11
Continue on US 82; GA 520
9.5 mi·12 min·US 82; GA 520
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn straight onto US 82; GA 520
5.4 mi·6 min·Albany Highway
13
Continue on US 82; GA 520
1.1 mi·1 min·Forrester Drive Southeast
14
Continue on US 82; GA 520
0.6 mi·1 min·Rountree Drive Southwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on GA 45; GA 520
0.3 mi·31 sec·Vine Street Northwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on GA 45; GA 520
0.2 mi·27 sec·Roundtree Drive
17
Continue on GA 45; GA 520
0.5 mi·43 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Drive
18
Continue on GA 45; GA 520
8.0 mi·9 min·Columbus Highway
19
Continue on GA 520
8.7 mi·10 min·South Parrott Street
20
Keep slight left at fork onto GA 520
8.3 mi·9 min·GA 520
21
Continue on GA 520
15 mi·17 min·Richland Bypass
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 280; GA 520
3.3 mi·3 min·US 280; GA 520
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on US 27; US 280; GA 1; GA 520
16 mi·23 min·Martha Berry Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on US 27; US 280; GA 1; GA 520
0.5 mi·1 min·4th Street
25
Turn right onto 6th Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·6th Avenue
Use the right lane.
26
Turn left onto 9th Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·9th Street
27
Turn left onto US 27; GA 1
0.1 mi·25 sec·Veterans Parkway
28
Arrive at destination
US 27; GA 1
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 83.9 miles from Lakeland, GA, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 37 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.9 miles or 1h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbus, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lakeland, GA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lakeland, GA
This is one driving day of about 167.7 miles and 3h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Lakeland, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on GA 33 for about 32.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.9 mi from Lakeland, GA
· 1h 54m into the drive
The midpoint is around 83.9 miles from Lakeland, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Columbus, GA
The final approach into Columbus, GA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Columbus, GA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Jimmy Carter National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Few U.S. Presidents have had such close ties with where they were born and raised. The rural southern culture of Plains, Georgia revolves around farming, church, and school, which had a large influenc...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 115.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.22 one way
$52.45 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$28.67
$57.35
premium
$4.70
$31.04
$62.08
diesel
$5.61
$37.03
$74.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.3
0
$17.61
$8.05
Efficient EV
41.9
0
$14.67
$6.71
EV Truck/SUV
67.1
0
$23.48
$10.73
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Lakeland, GA
Morning
in Lakeland on Saturday
Local time
7:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Columbus, GA
Morning
in Columbus on Saturday
Local time
7:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Albany, GA
84 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 42m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lakeland, GA to Columbus, GA covers 167.7 miles and takes about 3h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are GA 33, West Thigpen Avenue, GA 37. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.9 miles from Lakeland, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.22 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 167.7 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 20.3 miles (GA 76): Lane positioning matters here; at 42.5 miles (GA 37): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 43.4 miles (US 319; GA 35; GA 133 / East Bypass): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Lakeland, GA to Columbus, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Atlanta along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Jimmy Carter National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
