How far is Columbia, MO from Merriam Woods, MO?

The driving distance from Columbia, MO to Merriam Woods, MO is about 202.3 miles (325.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 161.1 miles (259.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 58m 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
202.35 mi
03h 59m
Flight
161.08 mi
259.23 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
161.08 mi
Kilometers
259.23 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
202.35 mi
Kilometers
325.65 km
Drive Time
03h 59m

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 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Merriam Woods
Thu, May 14, 9:12 AM CDT
Return by in Columbia
Thu, May 14, 1:12 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbia
2026-05-14T05:13
Arrive Merriam Woods
Thu, May 14, 9:12 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:59 AM to 11:59 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
9:02 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
Stoutland
MO

Human settlement in Missouri, United States of America

From Columbia
101.2 mi
01h 59m
To Merriam Woods
101.1 mi
01h 59m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 8 mph SE
Destination
83°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 7 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Merriam Woods.

  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

    6.6 mi · 8 min

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    52.7 mi · 1 hr 1 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit right toward MO 5 South, MO 7 South: Lebanon

    1203 ft · 29 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    24 mi · 29 min

  9. 9

    Turn left onto North Jefferson Avenue

    1.6 mi · 2 min · North Jefferson Avenue

  10. 10

    Take the exit right toward I 44 West: Springfield

    731 ft · 18 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    46.4 mi · 50 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 65 South: Branson

    1412 ft · 48 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Schoolcraft Freeway

    11 mi · 14 min · Schoolcraft Freeway

  14. 14

    Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway

    10.9 mi · 13 min · American Legion Memorial Highway

  15. 15

    Continue on US Highway 65

    12 mi · 14 min · US Highway 65

  16. 16

    Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway

    1.2 mi · 1 min · American Legion Memorial Highway

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward US 160: Reed Springs Junction, Forsyth

    1165 ft · 32 sec

  18. 18

    Turn left

    4.3 mi · 6 min

  19. 19

    Turn slight left

    973 ft · 17 sec

  20. 20

    Turn slight right

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Old Trail Road

    1118 ft · 50 sec · Old Trail Road

  22. 22

    Turn right onto North Homestead Road

    708 ft · 32 sec · North Homestead Road

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Maybe Lake Road

    70 m · 13 sec · Maybe Lake Road

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Deerfield Road

    1296 ft · 57 sec · Deerfield Road

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Deerfield Road

Car Route Details

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

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
25 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
4 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 54 West
59.4 mi · 29%
I 44 West
46.6 mi · 23%
US 63 South
25.7 mi · 13%
MO 5 South
24.2 mi · 12%
American Legion Memorial Highway
12.1 mi · 6%
US Highway 65
12 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

US 54 West

Continue straight

52.7 mi · 01h 01m

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 59m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+41.2 mi
161.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Stoutland
01h 59m from Columbia
Leave By
9:02 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Columbia and Sunny near Merriam Woods.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Merriam Woods?

The road trip is about 202.3 miles (325.6 km) and usually takes 03h 59m 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?

Stoutland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 101.2 miles from Columbia and 101.1 miles from Merriam Woods.

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

The direct path is about 161.1 miles (259.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:02 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.92 one way or $53.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Columbia and Sunny near Merriam Woods.

Stop Ideas Near Stoutland

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

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

RAIL

Jefferson City

90 mi away
101 Jefferson Street
RAIL

Sedalia

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Merriam Woods. Straight-line distance: 161.08 mi (259.23 km).

Columbia

#1 Columbia

The most populous city in the state of Missouri.

Population124,769
Coordinates38.9517100, -92.3340700
Altitude215
CountryUnited States
Merriam Woods

#2 Merriam Woods

City in Taney County, Missouri, United States of America

Population1,859
Coordinates36.7139500, -93.1618500
Altitude264
CountryUnited States
Start: Columbia (-92.33407, 38.95171)
End: Merriam Woods (-93.16185, 36.71395)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 326 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 53m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.14 gal
27.03 L · about $26.92
Round trip
$53.85
14.28 gal · 54.06 L
Estimated CO2
63.5 kg one way
Round trip: 126.9 kg / 280 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $26.92 $53.85
Mid-grade $4.25 $30.37 $60.73
Premium $4.65 $33.23 $66.46
Diesel $5.30 $37.87 $75.74

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 14, 2026

There is no time difference between Columbia and Merriam Woods. The current time is 05:13:37.

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.