How far is Columbia, MO from Clarkton, MO?

The driving distance from Columbia, MO to Clarkton, MO is about 302.5 miles (486.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 215.8 miles (347.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 53m 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
302.58 mi
05h 56m
Flight
215.81 mi
347.31 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
215.81 mi
Kilometers
347.31 km
Flight Time
00h 26m

Driving Distance

Road route
302.58 mi
Kilometers
486.95 km
Drive Time
05h 56m

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 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Clarkton
Thu, Apr 23, 1:33 PM CDT
Return by in Columbia
Thu, Apr 23, 7:30 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbia
2026-04-23T07:36
Arrive Clarkton
Thu, Apr 23, 1:33 PM CDT
Route Timing
05h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:57 AM to 1:57 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
5:06 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

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

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 Columbia
151.2 mi
02h 58m
To Clarkton
151.4 mi
02h 58m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 17 mph S
Destination
81°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Providence Road

    1.2 mi · 3 min · North Providence Road

  2. 2

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Saint Louis

    879 ft · 22 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left onto Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

    2467 ft · 35 sec · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

  4. 4

    Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

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

  5. 5

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    81 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield

    1567 ft · 33 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    25.1 mi · 31 min · Avenue of the Saints

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis

    1829 ft · 39 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 270 South: Memphis

    1691 ft · 31 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    11.5 mi · 14 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road

    1911 ft · 27 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Memphis

    2031 ft · 44 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Rosa Parks Highway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Rosa Parks Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway

  15. 15

    Continue on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway

    126.7 mi · 2 hr 16 min · Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 60 West: Dexter, Poplar Bluff

    2865 ft · 1 min

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    22.6 mi · 26 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 25, US 60 Business: Dexter, Bloomfield

    1579 ft · 41 sec

  19. 19

    Turn left

    20.8 mi · 31 min

  20. 20

    Continue straight

    4.4 mi · 7 min

  21. 21

    Turn left

    1437 ft · 39 sec

  22. 22

    Continue straight

    661 ft · 18 sec

  23. 23

    Continue on North Main Street

    2800 ft · 1 min · North Main Street

  24. 24

    Turn left onto East Clark Street

    33 m · 5 sec · East Clark Street

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Clark Street

Car Route Details

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

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
25 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
11
5 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
127 mi · 42%
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
81 mi · 27%
Avenue of the Saints
25.1 mi · 8%
US 60 West
23.1 mi · 8%
I 270 South
11.8 mi · 4%
MO 25
4.79 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

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.

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
05h 56m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+86.7 mi
215.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Crystal City
02h 58m from Columbia
Leave By
5:06 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Columbia and Sunny near Clarkton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 302.5 miles (486.9 km) and usually takes 05h 56m 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 151.2 miles from Columbia and 151.4 miles from Clarkton.

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

The direct path is about 215.8 miles (347.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 86.7 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 5:06 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.27 one way or $80.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 94.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Columbia and Sunny near Clarkton.

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 Columbia and Clarkton. Straight-line distance: 215.81 mi (347.31 km).

Columbia

#1 Columbia

The most populous city in the state of Missouri.

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

#2 Clarkton

City in Dunklin County, Missouri, United States

Population1,139
Coordinates36.4517300, -89.9670400
Altitude86
CountryUnited States
Start: Columbia (-92.33407, 38.95171)
End: Clarkton (-89.96704, 36.45173)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 487 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 02m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 46m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.68 gal
40.42 L · about $40.27
Round trip
$80.55
21.36 gal · 80.84 L
Estimated CO2
94.9 kg one way
Round trip: 189.8 kg / 418 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $40.27 $80.55
Mid-grade $4.25 $45.42 $90.84
Premium $4.65 $49.70 $99.41
Diesel $5.30 $56.65 $113.29

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

There is no time difference between Columbia and Clarkton. The current time is 07:36:06.

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.