How far is Columbia, MO from Poplar Bluff, MO?
The driving distance from Columbia, MO to Poplar Bluff, MO is about 238.7 miles (384.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 184.9 miles (297.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 05h 08m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Poplar Bluff.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Poplar Bluff.
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1
Start on North Providence Road
1.6 km · 2 min · North Providence Road
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2
Turn left onto East Stadium Boulevard
2.2 mi · 4 min · East Stadium Boulevard
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3
Take the ramp right toward US 63 South: Jefferson City
1033 ft · 25 sec
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4
Merge slight left
25.5 mi · 27 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward US 54 West, US 63 South: Jefferson City
1.5 mi · 2 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 63 South, US 50
66 m · 5 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on US 63 South, US 50
724 ft · 16 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on US 63 South, US 50 East
547 ft · 15 sec
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9
Keep slight left
12 mi · 15 min
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on US 63 South: Rolla
49.4 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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11
Turn left onto North Walnut Street
747 ft · 26 sec · North Walnut Street
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12
Continue on East 18th Street
1072 ft · 39 sec · East 18th Street
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13
Turn right onto Holloway Street
1.4 km · 3 min · Holloway Street
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14
At the end of the road, turn left onto Salem Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · Salem Avenue
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15
Turn left
2.3 mi · 4 min
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16
Continue straight
22 mi · 28 min
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17
At the end of the road, turn left
1.5 mi · 3 min
-
18
Turn right onto South Main Street
54.4 mi · 1 hr 16 min · South Main Street
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19
Turn left
55.7 mi · 1 hr 5 min
-
20
Keep slight right
4.8 mi · 6 min
-
21
Turn straight onto North Westwood Boulevard
1.6 mi · 3 min · North Westwood Boulevard
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22
Continue on State Street
1396 ft · 26 sec · State Street
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23
Continue on North Westwood Boulevard
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Westwood Boulevard
-
24
Turn left onto West Pine Street
1.4 km · 1 min · West Pine Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Pine Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Poplar Bluff.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Longest stretch
Turn left
55.7 mi · 01h 05m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Columbia and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Poplar Bluff.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Poplar Bluff?
The road trip is about 238.7 miles (384.1 km) and usually takes 05h 08m 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?
Salem is a useful midpoint, sitting about 119.4 miles from Columbia and 119.3 miles from Poplar Bluff.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 184.9 miles (297.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.8 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 6:42 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.75 one way or $63.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Columbia and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Poplar Bluff.
Stop Ideas Near Salem
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 Salem.
Washington
Jefferson City
Hermann
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Poplar Bluff. Straight-line distance: 184.94 mi (297.64 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 Poplar Bluff
City in Butler County in Southeast Missouri, United States
| Population | 16,807 |
| Coordinates | 36.7570000, -90.3928900 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| Country | United States |
End: Poplar Bluff (-90.39289, 36.757)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 384 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $31.75 | $63.50 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $35.81 | $71.62 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $39.19 | $78.37 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $44.66 | $89.32 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.