How far is Columbia, MO from Festus, MO?
The driving distance from Columbia, MO to Festus, MO is about 145.1 miles (233.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 116.2 miles (187 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 55m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Missouri USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Festus.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Festus.
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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
-
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
-
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
17.2 mi · 19 min · Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward MO A: Hillsboro, Festus
908 ft · 19 sec
-
17
Keep slight left to continue on MO A: Hillsboro, Festus
558 ft · 14 sec
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18
Turn straight onto Veterans Memorial Boulevard
2671 ft · 1 min · Veterans Memorial Boulevard
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19
Turn left onto South Mill Street
3107 ft · 1 min · South Mill Street
-
20
Turn left onto West Main Street
672 ft · 16 sec · West Main Street
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21
Turn right onto Walnut Street
103 m · 20 sec · Walnut Street
-
22
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
24 m · 3 sec · North 2nd Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 2nd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Festus.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
81 mi · 01h 35m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Columbia and Mostly Sunny near Festus.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Festus?
The road trip is about 145.1 miles (233.5 km) and usually takes 02h 55m 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?
Wright City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.5 miles from Columbia and 72.6 miles from Festus.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 116.2 miles (187 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.9 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 12:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.31 one way or $38.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.5 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 Mostly Sunny near Festus.
Stop Ideas Near Wright City
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Warrenton City Animal Control
Moscow Mills City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Wright City.
Washington
Hermann
Kirkwood
Gateway Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Festus. Straight-line distance: 116.22 mi (187.04 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 Festus
City in Missouri
| Population | 12,114 |
| Coordinates | 38.2206100, -90.3959500 |
| Altitude | 132 |
| Country | United States |
End: Festus (-90.39595, 38.22061)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 234 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.31 | $38.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $21.78 | $43.55 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $23.83 | $47.66 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $27.16 | $54.31 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.