How far is Columbia, MO from Union, MO?

The driving distance from Columbia, MO to Union, MO is about 98.9 miles (159.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 06m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 79.4 miles (127.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
98.87 mi
02h 06m
Flight
79.44 mi
127.84 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Columbia.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
79.44 mi
Kilometers
127.84 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
98.87 mi
Kilometers
159.11 km
Drive Time
02h 06m

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 02h 06m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Union
Thu, Apr 23, 7:01 AM CDT
Return by in Columbia
Thu, Apr 23, 9:08 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbia
2026-04-23T04:55
Arrive Union
Thu, Apr 23, 7:01 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 06m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:07 AM to 12:07 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:16 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Columbia
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
New Florence
MO

City in Missouri, United States

From Columbia
49.4 mi
01h 03m
To Union
49.5 mi
01h 03m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 17 mph S
Destination
82°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    64.2 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 47: Warrenton, Hawk Point

    908 ft · 19 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right

    29.9 mi · 45 min

  8. 8

    Turn right onto East Independence Drive

    63 m · 7 sec · East Independence Drive

  9. 9

    Turn left onto North Church Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · North Church Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto East Park Avenue

    900 ft · 31 sec · East Park Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn left

    19 m · 5 sec

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
12 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
64.2 mi · 65%
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.94 mi · 2%
North Providence Road
1.16 mi · 1%
North Church Street
0.7 mi · 1%
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial High
0.47 mi
MO 47
0.17 mi
Longest Stretch

Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

64.2 mi · 01h 13m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 06m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.5 mi
79.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
New Florence
01h 03m from Columbia
Leave By
2:16 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Columbia and Mostly Sunny near Union.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 98.9 miles (159.1 km) and usually takes 02h 06m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

New Florence is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.4 miles from Columbia and 49.5 miles from Union.

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

The direct path is about 79.4 miles (127.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:16 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.16 one way or $26.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31 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 near Union.

Stop Ideas Near New Florence

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

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

RAIL

Hermann

23 mi away
Wharf & Gutenberg Sts.
RAIL

Washington

54 mi away
301 West Front St.
RAIL

Jefferson City

73 mi away
101 Jefferson Street
RAIL

Kirkwood

97 mi away
110 West Argonne Dr.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Union. Straight-line distance: 79.44 mi (127.84 km).

Columbia

#1 Columbia

The most populous city in the state of Missouri.

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

#2 Union

City in and county seat of Franklin County, Missouri, United States

Population12,094
Coordinates38.4500500, -91.0084800
Altitude162
CountryUnited States
Start: Columbia (-92.33407, 38.95171)
End: Union (-91.00848, 38.45005)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 159 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.49 gal
13.21 L · about $13.16
Round trip
$26.32
6.98 gal · 26.42 L
Estimated CO2
31 kg one way
Round trip: 62 kg / 137 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.16 $26.32
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.84 $29.69
Premium $4.65 $16.24 $32.48
Diesel $5.30 $18.51 $37.02

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

There is no time difference between Columbia and Union. The current time is 04:55:17.

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.