How far is Anderson, MO from Columbia, MO?
The driving distance from Anderson, MO to Columbia, MO is about 260.8 miles (419.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 196.3 miles (315.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 11m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Missouri
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Anderson and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anderson and Columbia.
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1
Start on East Street
31 m · 5 sec · East Street
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2
Continue on East Jefferson Street
142 m · 23 sec · East Jefferson Street
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3
Turn right onto South State Highway 59
2841 ft · 53 sec · South State Highway 59
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4
At the end of the road, turn left
4.8 mi · 6 min
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5
Take the ramp left toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Joplin
1437 ft · 17 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Corporal Bobbie J. Harper Memorial Highway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Corporal Bobbie J. Harper Memorial Highway
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7
Continue on James B. Tatum Highway
5.8 mi · 6 min · James B. Tatum Highway
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8
Continue on Special Agent Tom Crowell Memorial Highway
6 mi · 6 min · Special Agent Tom Crowell Memorial Highway
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9
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
9 mi · 10 min · Purple Heart Trail
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 44 East, I 49 North, US 71 North: Springfield, Kansas City
3060 ft · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
116.7 mi · 2 hr 6 min · Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville
894 ft · 26 sec
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13
Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Jefferson Avenue
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14
Continue straight
23.7 mi · 29 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 54: Camdenton, Nevada, Osage Beach, Jefferson City
1082 ft · 23 sec
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16
Turn right
31.2 mi · 36 min
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17
Turn straight
28 mi · 32 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 63 North: Columbia
26.1 mi · 29 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward MO 740
1273 ft · 33 sec
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20
Turn left onto East Stadium Boulevard
2.3 mi · 4 min · East Stadium Boulevard
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21
Turn right onto South Providence Road
1.6 km · 2 min · South Providence Road
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Providence Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Anderson 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.
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
Merge slight left onto Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
117 mi · 02h 06m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Anderson and Sunny near Columbia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Anderson to Columbia?
The road trip is about 260.8 miles (419.7 km) and usually takes 04h 11m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Conway is a useful midpoint, sitting about 130.2 miles from Anderson and 130.6 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 196.3 miles (315.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 64.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.69 one way or $69.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Anderson and Sunny near Columbia.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Anderson and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 196.3 mi (315.92 km).
#1 Anderson
City in Missouri, USA
| Population | 1,915 |
| Coordinates | 36.6506300, -94.4435500 |
| Altitude | 269 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Columbia
The most populous city in the state of Missouri.
| Population | 124,769 |
| Coordinates | 38.9517100, -92.3340700 |
| Altitude | 215 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Providence Road (-92.33414, 38.951711)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 420 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $34.69 | $69.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.13 | $78.26 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $42.82 | $85.63 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $48.80 | $97.59 |
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 Missouri · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.