How far is Bethany, MO from Columbia, MO?

The driving distance from Bethany, MO to Columbia, MO is about 299.6 miles (482.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 203.6 miles (327.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 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.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
299.55 mi
04h 41m
Flight
203.54 mi
327.57 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bethany.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
203.54 mi
Kilometers
327.57 km
Flight Time
00h 24m

Driving Distance

Road route
299.55 mi
Kilometers
482.08 km
Drive Time
04h 41m

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 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbia
Sun, Apr 19, 8:13 AM CDT
Return by in Bethany
Sun, Apr 19, 12:55 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bethany
2026-04-19T03:32
Arrive Columbia
Sun, Apr 19, 8:13 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:42 AM to 12:42 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:36 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bethany
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Crystal City
MO

City in Jefferson County, Missouri, United States

From Bethany
149.2 mi
02h 20m
To Columbia
150.4 mi
02h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
67°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW
Destination
62°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Bethany and Columbia.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bethany and Columbia.

  1. 1

    Start on County Road 102

    1.3 km · 3 min · County Road 102

  2. 2

    Turn right

    3 mi · 7 min

  3. 3

    Turn right

    6.7 mi · 12 min

  4. 4

    Turn left onto North Walnut Street

    10.5 mi · 16 min · North Walnut Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right

    16.1 mi · 19 min

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    7.1 mi · 8 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Saint Louis

    1793 ft · 44 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    27.4 mi · 29 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    101.5 mi · 1 hr 49 min

  10. 10

    Continue on Rosa Parks Highway

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Rosa Parks Highway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago

    1279 ft · 27 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 270 West: Kansas City

    118 m · 8 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on I 270 West

    1.2 km · 1 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    11.5 mi · 14 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis

    705 ft · 17 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville

    2009 ft · 49 sec

  17. 17

    Continue on I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville

    674 ft · 10 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    25.4 mi · 31 min · Avenue of the Saints

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight left toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City

    3047 ft · 1 min

  20. 20

    Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway

    80.7 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway

  21. 21

    Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

    2 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

  22. 22

    Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

    2421 ft · 34 sec · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 163: Downtown

    747 ft · 16 sec

  24. 24

    Turn left onto North Providence Road

    1.2 mi · 3 min · North Providence Road

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Providence Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bethany and Columbia.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
25 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
4 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
129 mi · 43%
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
80.7 mi · 27%
North Walnut Street
33.7 mi · 11%
Avenue of the Saints
25.4 mi · 8%
I 270 West
12.5 mi · 4%
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.96 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 55 North

Keep slight left

102 mi · 01h 49m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 41m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+96 mi
203.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Crystal City
02h 20m from Bethany
Leave By
7:36 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny leaving Bethany and Sunny near Columbia.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bethany to Columbia?

The road trip is about 299.6 miles (482.1 km) and usually takes 04h 41m 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?

Crystal City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 149.2 miles from Bethany and 150.4 miles from Columbia.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 203.6 miles (327.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 96 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 7:36 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.86 one way or $79.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny around Bethany and Sunny near Columbia.

Stop Ideas Near Crystal City

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Crystal City, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Crystal City.

RAIL

Kirkwood

40 mi away
110 West Argonne Dr.
RAIL

Gateway Transportation Center

47 mi away
551 South 16th St.
RAIL

Washington

67 mi away
301 West Front St.
RAIL

Alton

79 mi away
3400 College Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bethany and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 203.54 mi (327.57 km).

Bethany

#1 Bethany

City in Missouri, United States

Population3,049
Coordinates36.6117200, -90.0692600
Altitude135
CountryUnited States
Columbia

#2 Columbia

The most populous city in the state of Missouri.

Population124,769
Coordinates38.9517100, -92.3340700
Altitude215
CountryUnited States
Start: (-90.065761, 36.612686)
End: North Providence Road (-92.33414, 38.951711)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 482 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 58m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.57 gal
40.01 L · about $39.86
Round trip
$79.72
21.14 gal · 80.02 L
Estimated CO2
93.9 kg one way
Round trip: 187.9 kg / 414 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $39.86 $79.72
Mid-grade $4.25 $44.95 $89.91
Premium $4.65 $49.19 $98.39
Diesel $5.30 $56.06 $112.13

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Bethany and Columbia. The current time is 03:32:08.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.