How far is Columbia, MO from Ava, MO?

The driving distance from Columbia, MO to Ava, MO is about 174.6 miles (281 km), with a travel time of about 03h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 139.3 miles (224.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 21m 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
174.61 mi
03h 40m
Flight
139.31 mi
224.19 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Columbia.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
139.31 mi
Kilometers
224.19 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
174.61 mi
Kilometers
281 km
Drive Time
03h 40m

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 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ava
Sun, Apr 12, 8:56 AM CDT
Return by in Columbia
Sun, Apr 12, 12:37 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbia
2026-04-12T05:16
Arrive Ava
Sun, Apr 12, 8:56 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:41 AM to 11:41 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:38 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Columbia
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
Linn Creek
MO

City in Camden County, Missouri, United States

From Columbia
87.4 mi
01h 50m
To Ava
87.2 mi
01h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 17 mph S
Destination
75°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Providence Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · North Providence Road

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Stadium Boulevard

    2.2 mi · 4 min · East Stadium Boulevard

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right toward US 63 South: Jefferson City

    1033 ft · 25 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    25.5 mi · 27 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward US 54 West, US 63 South: Jefferson City

    6.6 mi · 8 min

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    52.7 mi · 1 hr 1 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit right toward MO 5 South, MO 7 South: Lebanon

    1203 ft · 29 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    24 mi · 29 min

  9. 9

    Turn left onto North Jefferson Avenue

    36 mi · 50 min · North Jefferson Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on Main Avenue

    11.2 mi · 16 min · Main Avenue

  11. 11

    Take the ramp right toward US 60 West: Springfield

    1.1 mi · 1 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 60 BUS, MO 5 South, MO EE: Mansfield, Ava

    981 ft · 30 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left

    10.7 mi · 15 min

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    1.7 mi · 3 min

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Springfield Road

    1.1 km · 1 min · Springfield Road

  16. 16

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward North Jefferson Street

    5 m · 1 sec · North Jefferson Street

  17. 17

    Exit the roundabout onto North Jefferson Street

    3270 ft · 1 min · North Jefferson Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Jefferson Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
18 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
2 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 54 West
59.4 mi · 34%
North Jefferson Avenue
36 mi · 21%
US 63 South
25.7 mi · 15%
MO 5 South
24.2 mi · 14%
Main Avenue
11.2 mi · 6%
East Stadium Boulevard
2.21 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 54 West

Continue straight

52.7 mi · 01h 01m

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
03h 40m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+35.3 mi
139.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Linn Creek
01h 50m from Columbia
Leave By
9:38 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Columbia and Chance Rain Showers near Ava.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Ava?

The road trip is about 174.6 miles (281 km) and usually takes 03h 40m 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?

Linn Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.4 miles from Columbia and 87.2 miles from Ava.

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

The direct path is about 139.3 miles (224.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.3 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 9:38 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.23 one way or $46.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Columbia and Chance Rain Showers near Ava.

Stop Ideas Near Linn Creek

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Linn Creek, 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 Linn Creek.

RAIL

Jefferson City

76 mi away
101 Jefferson Street
RAIL

Sedalia

87 mi away
100 block of Main Street, through parking lot

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Ava. Straight-line distance: 139.31 mi (224.19 km).

Columbia

#1 Columbia

The most populous city in the state of Missouri.

Population124,769
Coordinates38.9517100, -92.3340700
Altitude215
CountryUnited States
Ava

#2 Ava

City in Myanmar

Population2,905
Coordinates36.9520000, -92.6604500
Altitude391
CountryUnited States
Start: Columbia (-92.33407, 38.95171)
End: Ava (-92.66045, 36.952)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 281 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 49m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 21m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 54m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 10m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.16 gal
23.32 L · about $23.23
Round trip
$46.46
12.32 gal · 46.64 L
Estimated CO2
54.7 kg one way
Round trip: 109.5 kg / 241 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.23 $46.46
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.20 $52.40
Premium $4.65 $28.67 $57.34
Diesel $5.30 $32.67 $65.35

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 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Columbia and Ava. The current time is 05:16:10.

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.