How far is Columbia, MO from Elsberry, MO?

The driving distance from Columbia, MO to Elsberry, MO is about 99.4 miles (159.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 11m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 84.6 miles (136.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
99.38 mi
02h 11m
Flight
84.64 mi
136.21 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Columbia.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
84.64 mi
Kilometers
136.21 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
99.38 mi
Kilometers
159.94 km
Drive Time
02h 11m

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 02h 11m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Elsberry
Fri, Apr 24, 9:51 AM CDT
Return by in Columbia
Fri, Apr 24, 12:03 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbia
2026-04-24T07:40
Arrive Elsberry
Fri, Apr 24, 9:51 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 11m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:11 AM to 12:11 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:08 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Columbia
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Montgomery City
MO

City in Missouri, United States

From Columbia
49.6 mi
01h 05m
To Elsberry
49.8 mi
01h 05m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Friday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 24 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 mph NW
Destination
72°F
Friday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 24 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    41 mi · 48 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 161, MO J: Danville Montgomery City

    1148 ft · 30 sec

  7. 7

    Turn left

    2656 ft · 50 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left

    5.5 mi · 8 min

  9. 9

    Turn left onto North Sturgeon Street

    115 m · 9 sec · North Sturgeon Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto East 3rd Street

    1267 ft · 21 sec · East 3rd Street

  11. 11

    Continue on Pickering Street

    125 m · 7 sec · Pickering Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Benton Street

    4.3 mi · 6 min · Benton Street

  13. 13

    Turn right

    4.6 mi · 6 min

  14. 14

    Turn left

    11.8 mi · 17 min

  15. 15

    At the end of the road, turn left

    2719 ft · 44 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right

    19 mi · 26 min

  17. 17

    Continue straight

    7.8 mi · 11 min

  18. 18

    At the end of the road, turn left onto North Main Street

    21 m · 2 sec · North Main Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
19 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
41 mi · 41%
Benton Street
12.1 mi · 12%
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.94 mi · 2%
North Providence Road
1.16 mi · 1%
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial High
0.47 mi
East 3rd Street
0.24 mi
Longest Stretch

Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

41 mi · 00h 48m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 11m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.8 mi
84.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Montgomery City
01h 05m from Columbia
Leave By
2:08 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Columbia and Showers And Thunderstorms near Elsberry.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 99.4 miles (159.9 km) and usually takes 02h 11m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Montgomery City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.6 miles from Columbia and 49.8 miles from Elsberry.

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

The direct path is about 84.6 miles (136.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:08 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.24 one way or $26.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Columbia and Showers And Thunderstorms near Elsberry.

Stop Ideas Near Montgomery City

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Montgomery 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 Montgomery City.

RAIL

Hermann

31 mi away
Wharf & Gutenberg Sts.
RAIL

Washington

63 mi away
301 West Front St.
RAIL

Jefferson City

73 mi away
101 Jefferson Street
RAIL

Kirkwood

105 mi away
110 West Argonne Dr.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Elsberry. Straight-line distance: 84.64 mi (136.21 km).

Columbia

#1 Columbia

The most populous city in the state of Missouri.

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

#2 Elsberry

City in Lincoln County, Missouri, United States

Population2,098
Coordinates39.1667200, -90.7809600
Altitude136
CountryUnited States
Start: Columbia (-92.33407, 38.95171)
End: Elsberry (-90.78096, 39.16672)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 160 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.51 gal
13.28 L · about $13.24
Round trip
$26.47
7.02 gal · 26.56 L
Estimated CO2
31.2 kg one way
Round trip: 62.4 kg / 138 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.24 $26.47
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.93 $29.86
Premium $4.65 $16.34 $32.67
Diesel $5.30 $18.62 $37.23

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 24, 2026

There is no time difference between Columbia and Elsberry. The current time is 07:40:33.

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.