How far is Columbia, MO from West Plains, MO?
The driving distance from Columbia, MO to West Plains, MO is about 189 miles (304.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 155.8 miles (250.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 00m 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 00m.
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 Phelps 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 West Plains.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and West Plains.
-
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
32.6 mi · 43 min
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11
Turn right
7.5 mi · 10 min
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12
Turn straight
7.5 mi · 11 min
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Tim Bradley Way
19 m · 1 sec · Tim Bradley Way
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14
Exit the roundabout onto Tim Bradley Way
2010 ft · 49 sec · Tim Bradley Way
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15
Turn slight right onto North Bishop Avenue
9 m · 1 sec · North Bishop Avenue
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16
Keep slight right to continue on North Bishop Avenue
44 m · 3 sec · North Bishop Avenue
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17
Continue on North Bishop Avenue
65.7 mi · 1 hr 23 min · North Bishop Avenue
-
18
Take the ramp straight toward US 60 East, US 63 South: Willow Springs
13.9 mi · 16 min
-
19
Keep slight right to continue on US 63 South: West Plains, Thayer
16.6 mi · 20 min
-
20
Turn left onto Gibson Street
1307 ft · 22 sec · Gibson Street
-
21
Turn straight
53 m · 6 sec
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22
Turn slight right onto Porter Wagoner Boulevard
1.1 mi · 3 min · Porter Wagoner Boulevard
-
23
Continue on West Main Street
2854 ft · 1 min · West Main Street
-
24
Turn right onto Court Square
117 m · 11 sec · Court Square
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Court Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and West Plains.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
North Bishop Avenue
Continue on North Bishop Avenue
65.7 mi · 01h 23m
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 West Plains.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to West Plains?
The road trip is about 189 miles (304.1 km) and usually takes 04h 00m 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?
Rolla is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.5 miles from Columbia and 94.4 miles from West Plains.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 155.8 miles (250.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.2 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 9:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.15 one way or $50.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.3 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 West Plains.
Stop Ideas Near Rolla
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 Rolla.
Jefferson City
Hermann
Washington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and West Plains. Straight-line distance: 155.86 mi (250.84 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 West Plains
City in Missouri, United States
| Population | 12,383 |
| Coordinates | 36.7281200, -91.8523700 |
| Altitude | 306 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Plains (-91.85237, 36.72812)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 304 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.15 | $50.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.37 | $56.74 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $31.04 | $62.08 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $35.38 | $70.76 |
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.