How far is Columbia, MO from Kirksville, MO?

The driving distance from Columbia, MO to Kirksville, MO is about 91.4 miles (147.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 51m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 86.9 miles (139.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 42m 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
91.42 mi
01h 51m
Flight
86.9 mi
139.86 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
86.9 mi
Kilometers
139.86 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
91.42 mi
Kilometers
147.12 km
Drive Time
01h 51m

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 51m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kirksville
Sat, Apr 18, 11:55 PM CDT
Return by in Columbia
Sun, Apr 19, 1:46 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbia
2026-04-18T22:04
Arrive Kirksville
Sat, Apr 18, 11:55 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 51m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:51 AM to 11:51 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:48 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
Cairo
MO

Village in Missouri, United States

From Columbia
45.7 mi
00h 55m
To Kirksville
45.7 mi
00h 55m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 15 mph W
Destination
56°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 to 17 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    936 ft · 13 sec · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 763

    839 ft · 22 sec

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Range Line Street

    3.3 mi · 6 min · Range Line Street

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward MO 763 North: Moberly

    52 m · 3 sec

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout onto MO 763 North: Moberly

    1927 ft · 36 sec

  8. 8

    Take the ramp straight toward US 63 North: Moberly

    2711 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    81.2 mi · 1 hr 32 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 63 Business: Kirksville

    1 km · 1 min

  11. 11

    Continue on South Baltimore Street

    1.6 mi · 2 min · South Baltimore Street

  12. 12

    Turn slight left onto Kirksville, Truman State University

    76 m · 11 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on South Franklin Street

    2 mi · 5 min · South Franklin Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Franklin Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
14 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
2 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 63 North
81.7 mi · 89%
Range Line Street
3.34 mi · 4%
South Franklin Street
2.01 mi · 2%
South Baltimore Street
1.59 mi · 2%
North Providence Road
1.16 mi · 1%
US 63 Business
0.65 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 63 North

Merge slight left

81.2 mi · 01h 32m

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
01h 51m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.5 mi
86.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cairo
00h 55m from Columbia
Leave By
2:48 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 91.4 miles (147.1 km) and usually takes 01h 51m 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?

Cairo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 45.7 miles from Columbia and 45.7 miles from Kirksville.

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

The direct path is about 86.9 miles (139.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.5 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 2:48 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.18 one way or $24.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Cairo

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

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

RAIL

La Plata

58 mi away
535 N. Owensby St.
RAIL

Quincy

104 mi away
North 30th St. and Wisman Lane
RAIL

Jefferson City

106 mi away
101 Jefferson Street
RAIL

Sedalia

112 mi away
100 block of Main Street, through parking lot

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Kirksville. Straight-line distance: 86.9 mi (139.86 km).

Columbia

#1 Columbia

The most populous city in the state of Missouri.

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

#2 Kirksville

City in Adair County, Missouri, United States

Population17,653
Coordinates40.1947500, -92.5832500
Altitude299
CountryUnited States
Start: Columbia (-92.33407, 38.95171)
End: Kirksville (-92.58325, 40.19475)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 147 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 49m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 08m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.23 gal
12.21 L · about $12.18
Round trip
$24.36
6.46 gal · 24.42 L
Estimated CO2
28.7 kg one way
Round trip: 57.4 kg / 127 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $12.18 $24.36
Mid-grade $4.25 $13.74 $27.47
Premium $4.65 $15.03 $30.06
Diesel $5.30 $17.13 $34.26

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Columbia and Kirksville. The current time is 22:04:11.

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.