How far is Columbia, MO from Tarkio, MO?
The driving distance from Columbia, MO to Tarkio, MO is about 245.5 miles (395.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 191.7 miles (308.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 16m 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 04h 38m.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Tarkio.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Tarkio.
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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
37.1 mi · 40 min
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16
Continue straight
38 mi · 41 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 59: Craig, Fairfax
1577 ft · 29 sec
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18
Turn left
12 mi · 18 min
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19
Turn right onto US Highway 59
5.8 mi · 9 min · US Highway 59
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20
Continue straight
1.4 mi · 2 min
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21
Turn right onto Walnut Street
2617 ft · 50 sec · Walnut Street
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22
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
998 ft · 46 sec · South 3rd Street
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23
Turn right onto Main Street
48 m · 7 sec · Main Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Tarkio.
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.
Sunny leaving Columbia and Mostly Sunny near Tarkio.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Tarkio?
The road trip is about 245.5 miles (395.1 km) and usually takes 04h 38m 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?
Sugar Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122.7 miles from Columbia and 122.9 miles from Tarkio.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 191.7 miles (308.5 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 7:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.66 one way or $65.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Columbia and Mostly Sunny near Tarkio.
Stop Ideas Near Sugar Creek
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Parkville City Hall
St. Louis - Kansas City Carpenters Regional Council
Shawnee Town
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sugar Creek.
Independence
Union Station
Lee's Summit
Lawrence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Tarkio. Straight-line distance: 191.72 mi (308.54 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 Tarkio
City in Missouri
| Population | 1,420 |
| Coordinates | 40.4402800, -95.3777600 |
| Altitude | 283 |
| Country | United States |
End: Tarkio (-95.37776, 40.44028)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 395 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.66 | $65.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.83 | $73.66 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.30 | $80.61 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.93 | $91.87 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.