How far is Columbia, MO from Taos, MO?
The driving distance from Columbia, MO to Taos, MO is about 170.3 miles (274.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 140.6 miles (226.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 27m 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 03h 13m.
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 Lafayette County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Taos.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Taos.
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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
1.4 km · 58 sec · George Brett Super Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 435 North, US 24 East: Des Moines
1.1 mi · 2 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
7.8 mi · 9 min · Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
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13
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi · 1 min · I435 N
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14
Continue straight
20.9 mi · 22 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
13 mi · 14 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward MO H, MO Z: New Market, Dearborn
851 ft · 21 sec
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17
Turn left onto MO H, MO Z: New Market, Dearborn
28 m · 6 sec
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18
Turn left
1.3 km · 1 min
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19
At the end of the road, turn right onto 371 Highway
3.1 mi · 6 min · 371 Highway
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20
Turn left onto Southeast 116 Highway
1.5 mi · 3 min · Southeast 116 Highway
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21
Turn right
1.5 mi · 4 min
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22
Turn right onto Southeast Taos Road
5 m · 1 sec · Southeast Taos Road
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southeast Taos Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Taos.
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 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.
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Columbia and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Taos.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Taos?
The road trip is about 170.3 miles (274.1 km) and usually takes 03h 13m 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?
Mayview is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85 miles from Columbia and 85.3 miles from Taos.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 140.6 miles (226.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:32 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.66 one way or $45.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms around Columbia and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Taos.
Stop Ideas Near Mayview
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 Mayview.
Warrensburg
Lee's Summit
Independence
Sedalia
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Taos. Straight-line distance: 140.59 mi (226.26 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 Taos
City in Buchanan County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 1,157 |
| Coordinates | 39.5775000, -94.8349600 |
| Altitude | 326 |
| Country | United States |
End: Taos (-94.83496, 39.5775)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 274 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.66 | $45.33 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.56 | $51.12 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.97 | $55.94 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.88 | $63.75 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.