How far is Columbia, MO from Houston, MO?

The driving distance from Columbia, MO to Houston, MO is about 138.4 miles (222.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 114.2 miles (183.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 52m 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
138.42 mi
02h 56m
Flight
114.18 mi
183.75 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
114.18 mi
Kilometers
183.75 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
138.42 mi
Kilometers
222.76 km
Drive Time
02h 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 02h 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Houston
Thu, Apr 23, 11:59 AM CDT
Return by in Columbia
Thu, Apr 23, 2:55 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbia
2026-04-23T09:03
Arrive Houston
Thu, Apr 23, 11:59 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:56 AM to 12:56 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:38 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

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
Vienna
MO

City in and the county seat of Maries County, Missouri

From Columbia
69.2 mi
01h 28m
To Houston
69.2 mi
01h 28m

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
78°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    1.5 mi · 2 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 63 South, US 50

    66 m · 5 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on US 63 South, US 50

    724 ft · 16 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on US 63 South, US 50 East

    547 ft · 15 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    12 mi · 15 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on US 63 South: Rolla

    32.6 mi · 43 min

  11. 11

    Turn right

    7.5 mi · 10 min

  12. 12

    Turn straight

    7.5 mi · 11 min

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Tim Bradley Way

    19 m · 1 sec · Tim Bradley Way

  14. 14

    Exit the roundabout onto Tim Bradley Way

    2010 ft · 49 sec · Tim Bradley Way

  15. 15

    Turn slight right onto North Bishop Avenue

    9 m · 1 sec · North Bishop Avenue

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on North Bishop Avenue

    44 m · 3 sec · North Bishop Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on North Bishop Avenue

    47.3 mi · 59 min · North Bishop Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right onto East Walnut Street

    1397 ft · 45 sec · East Walnut Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto North 2nd Street

    686 ft · 32 sec · North 2nd Street

  20. 20

    Turn right

    54 m · 8 sec

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
21 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
1 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 63 South
70.6 mi · 51%
North Bishop Avenue
47.4 mi · 34%
East Stadium Boulevard
2.21 mi · 2%
US 54 West
1.47 mi · 1%
North Providence Road
0.98 mi · 1%
Tim Bradley Way
0.39 mi
Longest Stretch

North Bishop Avenue

Continue on North Bishop Avenue

47.3 mi · 00h 59m

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 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.2 mi
114.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Vienna
01h 28m from Columbia
Leave By
12:38 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 138.4 miles (222.8 km) and usually takes 02h 56m 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?

Vienna is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.2 miles from Columbia and 69.2 miles from Houston.

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

The direct path is about 114.2 miles (183.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.2 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 12:38 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.40 one way or $36.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.4 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 Partly Sunny near Houston.

Stop Ideas Near Vienna

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

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

RAIL

Jefferson City

48 mi away
101 Jefferson Street
RAIL

Hermann

73 mi away
Wharf & Gutenberg Sts.
RAIL

Washington

92 mi away
301 West Front St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Houston. Straight-line distance: 114.18 mi (183.75 km).

Columbia

#1 Columbia

The most populous city in the state of Missouri.

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

#2 Houston

City in Missouri, United States

Population2,085
Coordinates37.3261600, -91.9559900
Altitude355
CountryUnited States
Start: Columbia (-92.33407, 38.95171)
End: Houston (-91.95599, 37.32616)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 223 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 58m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 43m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.88 gal
18.49 L · about $18.40
Round trip
$36.80
9.76 gal · 36.98 L
Estimated CO2
43.4 kg one way
Round trip: 86.7 kg / 191 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $18.40 $36.80
Mid-grade $4.25 $20.75 $41.51
Premium $4.65 $22.71 $45.42
Diesel $5.30 $25.88 $51.77

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 Houston. The current time is 09:03:02.

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.