How far is Columbia, MO from Ironton, MO?

The driving distance from Columbia, MO to Ironton, MO is about 172.2 miles (277.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 131.6 miles (211.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 56m 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
172.18 mi
03h 58m
Flight
131.63 mi
211.84 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
131.63 mi
Kilometers
211.84 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
172.18 mi
Kilometers
277.09 km
Drive Time
03h 58m

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 03h 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ironton
Sun, May 3, 8:37 PM CDT
Return by in Columbia
Mon, May 4, 12:36 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbia
2026-05-03T16:39
Arrive Ironton
Sun, May 3, 8:37 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:58 AM to 11:58 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:04 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

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
Marthasville
MO

City in Missouri

From Columbia
86.1 mi
01h 59m
To Ironton
86.1 mi
01h 59m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 3 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 14 mph SW
Destination
37°F
Overnight

Patchy Frost

Starts
Sun, May 3 4:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    64.2 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 47: Warrenton, Hawk Point

    908 ft · 19 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right

    31 mi · 47 min

  8. 8

    At the end of the road, turn left

    2293 ft · 50 sec

  9. 9

    Take the exit right

    42 m · 5 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right

    6.2 mi · 9 min

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Commercial Avenue

    1 mi · 2 min · Commercial Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on East Gravois Avenue

    6.2 mi · 10 min · East Gravois Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn right

    20.4 mi · 35 min

  14. 14

    At the end of the road, turn right

    23.4 mi · 33 min

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    11 mi · 16 min

  16. 16

    At the end of the road, turn right

    4.3 mi · 7 min

  17. 17

    Turn right onto East Russell Street

    899 ft · 25 sec · East Russell Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Russell Street

Car Route Details

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

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
18 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
64.2 mi · 37%
East Gravois Avenue
17.2 mi · 10%
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.94 mi · 1%
North Providence Road
1.16 mi · 1%
Commercial Avenue
1.05 mi · 1%
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial High
0.47 mi
Longest Stretch

Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

64.2 mi · 01h 13m

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
03h 58m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+40.6 mi
131.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Marthasville
01h 59m from Columbia
Leave By
9:04 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Columbia and Patchy Frost near Ironton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 172.2 miles (277.1 km) and usually takes 03h 58m 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?

Marthasville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.1 miles from Columbia and 86.1 miles from Ironton.

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

The direct path is about 131.6 miles (211.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.6 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 9:04 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.93 one way or $45.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Columbia and Patchy Frost near Ironton.

Stop Ideas Near Marthasville

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

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

RAIL

Washington

8 mi away
301 West Front St.
RAIL

Hermann

34 mi away
Wharf & Gutenberg Sts.
RAIL

Kirkwood

57 mi away
110 West Argonne Dr.
RAIL

Gateway Transportation Center

74 mi away
551 South 16th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Ironton. Straight-line distance: 131.63 mi (211.84 km).

Columbia

#1 Columbia

The most populous city in the state of Missouri.

Population124,769
Coordinates38.9517100, -92.3340700
Altitude215
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Ironton

City in Iron County, Missouri, United States

Population1,386
Coordinates37.5972700, -90.6273400
Altitude277
CountryUnited States
Start: Columbia (-92.33407, 38.95171)
End: Ironton (-90.62734, 37.59727)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 277 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 08m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.08 gal
23 L · about $22.93
Round trip
$45.86
12.16 gal · 46 L
Estimated CO2
54 kg one way
Round trip: 108.1 kg / 238 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.93 $45.86
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.86 $51.72
Premium $4.65 $28.30 $56.59
Diesel $5.30 $32.25 $64.50

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 · May 03, 2026

There is no time difference between Columbia and Ironton. The current time is 16:39:10.

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.