How far is Columbia, MO from Kansas City, MO?
The driving distance from Columbia, MO to Kansas City, MO is about 125.6 miles (202.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 120.9 miles (194.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 49m 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 01h 54m.
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 Saline County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Kansas City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Kansas City.
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1
Start on North Providence Road
1.2 mi · 3 min · North Providence Road
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2
Turn left onto I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
712 ft · 17 sec
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3
Merge slight left onto Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.3 km · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
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4
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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5
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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6
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
52.5 mi · 57 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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7
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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8
Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
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9
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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10
Continue on George Brett Super Highway
6.8 mi · 9 min · George Brett Super Highway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South: Topeka, Wichita
1120 ft · 21 sec
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12
Take the exit slight right toward 13th Street, Downtown
905 ft · 24 sec
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13
Continue on East 13th Street
1313 ft · 35 sec · East 13th Street
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14
Turn right onto Oak Street
139 m · 13 sec · Oak Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Oak Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Kansas City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 00h 58m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Columbia and Mostly Sunny near Kansas City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Kansas City?
The road trip is about 125.6 miles (202.2 km) and usually takes 01h 54m 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?
Sweet Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.8 miles from Columbia and 62.9 miles from Kansas City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 120.9 miles (194.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.71 one way or $33.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Columbia and Mostly Sunny near Kansas City.
Stop Ideas Near Sweet Springs
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sweet Springs.
Sedalia
Warrensburg
Lee's Summit
Independence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Kansas City. Straight-line distance: 120.91 mi (194.58 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 Kansas City
The third most populous city in Missouri and the center of the Kansas City metropolitan area.
| Population | 495,327 |
| Coordinates | 39.0997300, -94.5785700 |
| Altitude | 274 |
| Country | United States |
End: Oak Street (-94.578571, 39.099732)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 202 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.71 | $33.41 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.84 | $37.68 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.62 | $41.23 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $23.50 | $46.99 |
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 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.