One-dimensional alpha manganese dioxide (α-MnO2) nanorods synthesized by a hydrothermal route were explored as the starting material for preparing lithium manganese spinel LiMn2O4. Pure and highly crystalline spinel LiMn2O4 was easily obtained from α-MnO2 nanorods through a low-temperature solid-state reaction route, while Mn2O3 impurity was present along with the spinel phase when commercial MnO2 was used as starting material. The particle size of LiMn2O4 prepared from α-MnO2 nanorods was about 100nm with a homogenous distribution. Electrochemical tests demonstrated that the LiMn2O4 thus prepared exhibited a higher capacity than that prepared from commercial MnO2. Therefore, α-MnO2 nanorods are proved to be a promising starting material for the preparation of high quality LiMn2O4.