How far is Caruthersville, MO from Columbia, MO?

The driving distance from Caruthersville, MO to Columbia, MO is about 306.3 miles (492.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 240.5 miles (387 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 08m 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
306.26 mi
04h 34m
Flight
240.48 mi
387.01 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Caruthersville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
240.48 mi
Kilometers
387.01 km
Flight Time
00h 29m

Driving Distance

Road route
306.26 mi
Kilometers
492.87 km
Drive Time
04h 34m

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 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbia
Fri, Apr 17, 8:19 AM CDT
Return by in Caruthersville
Fri, Apr 17, 12:53 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Caruthersville
2026-04-17T03:45
Arrive Columbia
Fri, Apr 17, 8:19 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:34 AM to 12:34 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
7:52 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Caruthersville
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 Caruthersville
153 mi
02h 17m
To Columbia
153.3 mi
02h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
87°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S
Destination
85°F
Friday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 14 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    14 m · 9 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West 3rd Street

    2.9 mi · 6 min · West 3rd Street

  3. 3

    Continue straight

    2 mi · 4 min

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right toward I 55 North, US 61 North: Sikeston

    1331 ft · 33 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    74.2 mi · 1 hr 20 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left

    101.5 mi · 1 hr 49 min

  7. 7

    Continue on Rosa Parks Highway

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Rosa Parks Highway

  8. 8

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

    1279 ft · 27 sec

  9. 9

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

    118 m · 8 sec

  10. 10

    Continue on I 270 West

    1.2 km · 1 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    11.5 mi · 14 min

  12. 12

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

    705 ft · 17 sec

  13. 13

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

    2009 ft · 49 sec

  14. 14

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

    674 ft · 10 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    25.4 mi · 31 min · Avenue of the Saints

  16. 16

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

    3047 ft · 1 min

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway

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

  18. 18

    Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

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

  19. 19

    Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

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

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 163: Downtown

    747 ft · 16 sec

  21. 21

    Turn left onto North Providence Road

    1.2 mi · 3 min · North Providence Road

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Providence Road

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
22 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
176 mi · 57%
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
80.7 mi · 26%
Avenue of the Saints
25.4 mi · 8%
I 270 West
12.5 mi · 4%
West 3rd Street
4.96 mi · 2%
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 34m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+65.8 mi
240.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Crystal City
02h 17m from Caruthersville
Leave By
7:52 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Caruthersville 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 Caruthersville to Columbia?

The road trip is about 306.3 miles (492.9 km) and usually takes 04h 34m 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 153 miles from Caruthersville and 153.3 miles from Columbia.

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

The direct path is about 240.5 miles (387 km), while the road route adds roughly 65.8 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 7:52 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.76 one way or $81.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 96.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Caruthersville and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 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 Caruthersville and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 240.48 mi (387.01 km).

Caruthersville

#1 Caruthersville

City in and county seat of Pemiscot County, Missouri, United States

Population5,289
Coordinates36.1931200, -89.6556400
Altitude84
CountryUnited States
Columbia

#2 Columbia

The most populous city in the state of Missouri.

Population124,769
Coordinates38.9517100, -92.3340700
Altitude215
CountryUnited States
Start: West 3rd Street (-89.655545, 36.193229)
End: North Providence Road (-92.33414, 38.951711)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 493 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 39m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 22m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 49m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.81 gal
40.91 L · about $40.76
Round trip
$81.53
21.62 gal · 81.82 L
Estimated CO2
96.1 kg one way
Round trip: 192.1 kg / 424 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $40.76 $81.53
Mid-grade $4.25 $45.97 $91.95
Premium $4.65 $50.31 $100.62
Diesel $5.30 $57.34 $114.67

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Caruthersville and Columbia. The current time is 03:45:31.

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.