How far is Bethany, MO from Columbia, MO?
The driving distance from Bethany, MO to Columbia, MO is about 172.6 miles (277.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 128.1 miles (206.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST.
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 03h 06m.
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 Lafayette County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
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.
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1
Start on the route
48 m · 7 sec
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2
Turn straight onto South 25th Street
1129 ft · 24 sec · South 25th Street
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3
Turn left onto Miller Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Miller Street
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4
Take the ramp right
973 ft · 24 sec
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5
Merge slight left
43.5 mi · 47 min
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6
Take the exit slight right
1193 ft · 29 sec
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7
Keep slight left
45 m · 5 sec
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8
Turn left
8.1 mi · 10 min
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route
67 m · 4 sec
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10
Exit the roundabout
10.5 mi · 14 min
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11
Turn right onto Main Street
45.2 mi · 1 hr 2 min · Main Street
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12
Take the exit left toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Columbia
954 ft · 23 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
19.9 mi · 21 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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14
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
32 mi · 34 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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15
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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16
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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17
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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18
Take the exit slight right toward MO 163: Downtown
672 ft · 16 sec
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19
Turn right onto North Providence Road
1.2 mi · 3 min · North Providence Road
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20
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.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Main Street
Turn right onto Main Street
45.2 mi · 01h 02m
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 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 172.6 miles (277.8 km) and usually takes 03h 06m 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?
Lexington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.5 miles from Bethany and 79.1 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 128.1 miles (206.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.5 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:46 AM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.79 one way or $45.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bethany and Sunny near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near Lexington
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 Lexington.
Warrensburg
Independence
Lee's Summit
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bethany and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 128.09 mi (206.14 km).
#1 Bethany
Bethany is a place in Missouri, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.2683300, -94.0282900 |
| Altitude | 272 |
| 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: 278 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.74 | $22.79 | $45.59 |
| Mid-grade | $4.13 | $25.13 | $50.27 |
| Premium | $4.50 | $27.38 | $54.76 |
| Diesel | $5.97 | $36.36 | $72.73 |
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 · Nov 07, 2026