How far is Columbia, MO from Athens, MO?
The driving distance from Columbia, MO to Athens, MO is about 168.6 miles (271.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 117.6 miles (189.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 26m 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 43m.
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.
Village in Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Athens.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Athens.
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1
Start on North Providence Road
1.2 mi · 3 min · North Providence Road
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2
Take the ramp slight right toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Saint Louis
879 ft · 22 sec
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3
Merge slight left onto Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
2467 ft · 35 sec · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
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4
Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
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5
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
18.6 mi · 24 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 54: Auxvasse, Mexico, Fulton
1188 ft · 28 sec
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7
Turn left
18.1 mi · 20 min
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8
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Liberty Street
10.3 mi · 13 min · East Liberty Street
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Scott's Corner
68 m · 3 sec
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10
Exit the rotary
8.1 mi · 11 min
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
56 m · 2 sec
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12
Exit the roundabout
18.6 mi · 21 min
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13
Turn left onto North Public Street
13.7 mi · 24 min · North Public Street
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14
Turn right onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
1.6 km · 1 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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15
Continue on V.F.W. Memorial Highway
2621 ft · 35 sec · V.F.W. Memorial Highway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 24 East: Palmyra
1813 ft · 50 sec
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17
Turn left
16.8 mi · 20 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Avenue of the Saints
33.3 mi · 39 min · Avenue of the Saints
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19
Take the exit slight right toward US 136: Wayland, Kahoka
1561 ft · 48 sec
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20
Turn left
8.9 mi · 13 min
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21
Turn right onto South Johnson Street
12 mi · 18 min · South Johnson Street
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22
Turn right
4 mi · 10 min
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Athens.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Avenue of the Saints
Take the exit slight right toward Avenue of the Saints
33.3 mi · 00h 39m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Columbia and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Athens.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Athens?
The road trip is about 168.6 miles (271.4 km) and usually takes 03h 43m 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?
Rensselaer is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.3 miles from Columbia and 84.3 miles from Athens.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 117.6 miles (189.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 51 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 9:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.44 one way or $44.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Columbia and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Athens.
Stop Ideas Near Rensselaer
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 Rensselaer.
Quincy
La Plata
Fort Madison station
Hermann
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Athens. Straight-line distance: 117.63 mi (189.3 km).
#1 Columbia
The most populous city in the state of Missouri.
| Population | 124,769 |
| Coordinates | 38.9517100, -92.3340700 |
| Altitude | 215 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Athens
Township in Missouri
| Population | 2,080 |
| Coordinates | 40.5825400, -91.6985000 |
| Altitude | 186 |
| Country | United States |
End: Athens (-91.6985, 40.58254)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 271 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.44 | $44.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.31 | $50.61 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.69 | $55.38 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.56 | $63.12 |
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 · May 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.