How far is Columbia, MO from Lilbourn, MO?

The driving distance from Columbia, MO to Lilbourn, MO is about 278.4 miles (448.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 220.5 miles (354.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 40m 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
278.42 mi
05h 20m
Flight
220.48 mi
354.83 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
220.48 mi
Kilometers
354.83 km
Flight Time
00h 26m

Driving Distance

Road route
278.42 mi
Kilometers
448.08 km
Drive Time
05h 20m

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 05h 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lilbourn
Fri, Apr 24, 9:28 AM CDT
Return by in Columbia
Fri, Apr 24, 2:48 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbia
2026-04-24T04:08
Arrive Lilbourn
Fri, Apr 24, 9:28 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:20 AM to 1:20 PM CDT

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

Leave by
6:20 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
Pevely
MO

City in Jefferson County, Missouri, United States

From Columbia
139.2 mi
02h 40m
To Lilbourn
139.2 mi
02h 40m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Friday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 24 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 mph NW
Destination
77°F
Friday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 24 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 20 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    81 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield

    1567 ft · 33 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    25.1 mi · 31 min · Avenue of the Saints

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis

    1829 ft · 39 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 270 South: Memphis

    1691 ft · 31 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    11.5 mi · 14 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road

    1911 ft · 27 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Memphis

    2031 ft · 44 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Rosa Parks Highway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Rosa Parks Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway

  15. 15

    Continue on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway

    148.1 mi · 2 hr 39 min · Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 61, US 62: New Madrid, Howardville

    973 ft · 23 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right

    1.7 mi · 3 min

  18. 18

    Turn right

    1.8 mi · 4 min

  19. 19

    Turn slight right onto 3rd Street

    1178 ft · 38 sec · 3rd Street

  20. 20

    Turn left

    28 m · 7 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 Lilbourn.

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
21 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
148 mi · 53%
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
81 mi · 29%
Avenue of the Saints
25.1 mi · 9%
I 270 South
11.8 mi · 4%
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.94 mi · 1%
Rosa Parks Highway
1.51 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway

Continue on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway

148 mi · 02h 39m

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
05h 20m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+57.9 mi
220.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pevely
02h 40m from Columbia
Leave By
6:20 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Columbia and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms near Lilbourn.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 278.4 miles (448.1 km) and usually takes 05h 20m 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?

Pevely is a useful midpoint, sitting about 139.2 miles from Columbia and 139.2 miles from Lilbourn.

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

The direct path is about 220.5 miles (354.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 57.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:20 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.03 one way or $74.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Columbia and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms near Lilbourn.

Stop Ideas Near Pevely

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

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

RAIL

Kirkwood

33 mi away
110 West Argonne Dr.
RAIL

Gateway Transportation Center

41 mi away
551 South 16th St.
RAIL

Washington

62 mi away
301 West Front St.
RAIL

Alton

73 mi away
3400 College Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Lilbourn. Straight-line distance: 220.48 mi (354.83 km).

Columbia

#1 Columbia

The most populous city in the state of Missouri.

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

#2 Lilbourn

City in New Madrid County, Missouri, United States

Population1,025
Coordinates36.5922800, -89.6153600
Altitude87
CountryUnited States
Start: Columbia (-92.33407, 38.95171)
End: Lilbourn (-89.61536, 36.59228)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 448 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 58m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.82 gal
37.19 L · about $37.03
Round trip
$74.06
19.64 gal · 74.38 L
Estimated CO2
87.3 kg one way
Round trip: 174.5 kg / 385 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $37.03 $74.06
Mid-grade $4.25 $41.76 $83.53
Premium $4.65 $45.70 $91.40
Diesel $5.30 $52.09 $104.17

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 24, 2026

There is no time difference between Columbia and Lilbourn. The current time is 04:08:24.

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.