How far is Columbia, MO from Bethany, MO?
The driving distance from Columbia, MO to Bethany, MO is about 297.6 miles (478.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 203.6 miles (327.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 50m 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 05h 55m.
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 Jefferson County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Bethany.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Bethany.
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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
81 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
1567 ft · 33 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
25.1 mi · 31 min · Avenue of the Saints
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
1829 ft · 39 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 270 South: Memphis
1691 ft · 31 sec
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10
Merge slight left
11.5 mi · 14 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road
1911 ft · 27 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Memphis
2031 ft · 44 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Rosa Parks Highway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Rosa Parks Highway
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14
Continue on Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
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15
Continue on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
126.7 mi · 2 hr 16 min · Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 60 West: Dexter, Poplar Bluff
2865 ft · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left
22.6 mi · 26 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward MO 25, US 60 Business: Dexter, Bloomfield
1579 ft · 41 sec
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19
Turn left
10.6 mi · 16 min
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20
Turn right onto West Main Avenue
6.7 mi · 12 min · West Main Avenue
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21
Turn left
3 mi · 7 min
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22
Turn left onto County Road 102
1.3 km · 3 min · County Road 102
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · County Road 102
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Bethany.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
Continue on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
127 mi · 02h 16m
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Columbia and Partly Sunny near Bethany.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Bethany?
The road trip is about 297.6 miles (478.9 km) and usually takes 05h 55m 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 148.7 miles from Columbia and 148.8 miles from Bethany.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 203.6 miles (327.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 94 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 5:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.60 one way or $79.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Columbia and Partly Sunny near Bethany.
Stop Ideas Near Crystal City
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 Crystal City.
Kirkwood
Gateway Transportation Center
Washington
Alton
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Bethany. Straight-line distance: 203.54 mi (327.57 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 Bethany
City in Missouri, United States
| Population | 3,049 |
| Coordinates | 36.6117200, -90.0692600 |
| Altitude | 135 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bethany (-90.06926, 36.61172)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 479 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.60 | $79.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.66 | $89.31 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $48.87 | $97.73 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $55.69 | $111.38 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.