How far is Appleton City, MO from Columbia, MO?
The driving distance from Appleton City, MO to Columbia, MO is about 138.6 miles (223 km), with a travel time of about 02h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 105.6 miles (170 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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 26m.
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.
City in Missouri
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Appleton City and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Appleton City and Columbia.
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1
Start on North Walnut Street
4 m · 6 sec · North Walnut Street
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2
Turn left onto West 4th Street
3.8 mi · 7 min · West 4th Street
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3
Keep slight left
3 mi · 5 min
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4
Keep slight right
12.1 mi · 21 min
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5
Take the ramp left toward MO 13 North, MO 52 East: Clinton
9.2 mi · 12 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward MO 52 West: Calhoun, Windsor
1827 ft · 52 sec
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7
At the end of the road, turn right
30.2 mi · 45 min
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8
Turn left
30.3 mi · 38 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
1866 ft · 40 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
22.9 mi · 25 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
22.4 mi · 24 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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12
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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13
Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.3 km · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward MO 163: Downtown
672 ft · 16 sec
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15
Turn right onto North Providence Road
1.2 mi · 3 min · North Providence Road
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Providence Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Appleton City and Columbia.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Longest stretch
Turn left
30.3 mi · 00h 38m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Appleton City and Slight Chance Rain Showers then 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 Appleton City to Columbia?
The road trip is about 138.6 miles (223 km) and usually takes 02h 26m 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?
Sedalia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.2 miles from Appleton City and 69.3 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 105.6 miles (170 km), while the road route adds roughly 33 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:38 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.44 one way or $36.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Appleton City and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near Sedalia
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sedalia.
Sedalia
Warrensburg
Jefferson City
Lee's Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Appleton City and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 105.6 mi (169.95 km).
#1 Appleton City
City in St.
| Population | 1,080 |
| Coordinates | 38.1905800, -94.0293900 |
| Altitude | 267 |
| 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: 223 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $18.44 | $36.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $20.80 | $41.59 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $22.76 | $45.52 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $25.94 | $51.87 |
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 Missouri · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.