How far is Carthage, MO from Columbia, MO?
The driving distance from Carthage, MO to Columbia, MO is about 234 miles (376.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 163.1 miles (262.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 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 03h 41m.
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 Laclede County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight 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 Carthage and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carthage and Columbia.
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1
Start on South Grant Street
784 ft · 24 sec · South Grant Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Central Avenue
1557 ft · 44 sec · East Central Avenue
-
3
Turn slight left
9.4 mi · 12 min
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4
Continue straight
1.5 km · 1 min
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5
Continue straight
26.7 mi · 31 min
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6
Take the ramp straight toward I 44 East: Springfield
3171 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left
70.6 mi · 1 hr 17 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville
894 ft · 26 sec
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9
Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Jefferson Avenue
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10
Continue straight
23.7 mi · 29 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 54: Camdenton, Nevada, Osage Beach, Jefferson City
1082 ft · 23 sec
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12
Turn right
31.2 mi · 36 min
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13
Turn straight
28 mi · 32 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 63 North: Columbia
26.1 mi · 29 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward MO 740
1273 ft · 33 sec
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16
Turn left onto East Stadium Boulevard
2.3 mi · 4 min · East Stadium Boulevard
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17
Turn right onto South Providence Road
1.6 km · 2 min · South Providence Road
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Providence Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carthage and Columbia.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 44 East
Merge slight left
70.6 mi · 01h 17m
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Carthage 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 Carthage to Columbia?
The road trip is about 234 miles (376.6 km) and usually takes 03h 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?
Lebanon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 111.5 miles from Carthage and 122.5 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 163.1 miles (262.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 70.9 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 9:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.15 one way or $62.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Carthage and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near Lebanon
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 Lebanon.
Jefferson City
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carthage and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 163.09 mi (262.47 km).
#1 Carthage
City in Missouri
| Population | 14,732 |
| Coordinates | 37.1764500, -94.3102200 |
| Altitude | 306 |
| 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: 377 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $31.15 | $62.30 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $35.13 | $70.26 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $38.44 | $76.88 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $43.81 | $87.62 |
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.