How far is Carl Junction, MO from Columbia, MO?
The driving distance from Carl Junction, MO to Columbia, MO is about 245.9 miles (395.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 172.6 miles (277.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 49m 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 03h 54m.
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.
Human settlement in Laclede County, Missouri, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carl Junction and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carl Junction and Columbia.
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1
Start on West Pennell Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · West Pennell Street
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2
Turn right
3.1 mi · 4 min
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Demott Drive
40 m · 3 sec · Demott Drive
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4
Exit the roundabout onto Demott Drive
2 mi · 3 min · Demott Drive
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5
Continue on West MacArthur Drive
1.5 km · 2 min · West MacArthur Drive
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
71 m · 3 sec
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7
Exit the roundabout
3117 ft · 38 sec
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8
Take the exit slight right toward MO 249 South: Joplin
1 km · 42 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Governor Warren E Hearnes Memorial Highway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Governor Warren E Hearnes Memorial Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward MO 66, I 44 Business
1495 ft · 39 sec
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11
Turn left onto East 7th Street
2 mi · 3 min · East 7th Street
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12
Continue on Cimarron Road
1.4 km · 1 min · Cimarron Road
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13
Take the ramp slight right toward I 44 East, I 49 North, US 71 North: Springfield, Kansas City
1 km · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left onto Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
113.3 mi · 2 hr 3 min · Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville
894 ft · 26 sec
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16
Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Jefferson Avenue
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17
Continue straight
23.7 mi · 29 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 54: Camdenton, Nevada, Osage Beach, Jefferson City
1082 ft · 23 sec
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19
Turn right
31.2 mi · 36 min
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20
Turn straight
28 mi · 32 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward US 63 North: Columbia
26.1 mi · 29 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward MO 740
1273 ft · 33 sec
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23
Turn left onto East Stadium Boulevard
2.3 mi · 4 min · East Stadium Boulevard
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24
Turn right onto South Providence Road
1.6 km · 2 min · South Providence Road
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Providence Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carl Junction 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
113 mi · 02h 03m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Carl Junction and Chance Rain Showers near Columbia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carl Junction to Columbia?
The road trip is about 245.9 miles (395.7 km) and usually takes 03h 54m 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?
Phillipsburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.7 miles from Carl Junction and 124.2 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 172.6 miles (277.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 73.3 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 9:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.73 one way or $65.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Carl Junction and Chance Rain Showers near Columbia.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carl Junction and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 172.54 mi (277.68 km).
#1 Carl Junction
City in Jasper County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 8,430 |
| Coordinates | 37.1767200, -94.5655100 |
| Altitude | 273 |
| 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: 396 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.73 | $65.46 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.92 | $73.83 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.40 | $80.79 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.04 | $92.08 |
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 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.