How far is Columbus, KS from Derby, KS?

The driving distance from Columbus, KS to Derby, KS is about 170.5 miles (274.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 135.7 miles (218.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 51m 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
170.49 mi
02h 55m
Flight
135.68 mi
218.36 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Columbus.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
135.68 mi
Kilometers
218.36 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
170.49 mi
Kilometers
274.38 km
Drive Time
02h 55m

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 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Derby
Tue, May 12, 8:30 PM CDT
Return by in Columbus
Tue, May 12, 11:25 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbus
2026-05-12T17:34
Arrive Derby
Tue, May 12, 8:30 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:56 AM to 12:56 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:38 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Columbus
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 Albany
KS

Human settlement in Wilson County, Kansas, United States of America

From Columbus
85.5 mi
01h 27m
To Derby
85 mi
01h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 16 mph S
Destination
91°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 to 21 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Columbus and Derby.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Columbus and Derby.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    27 m · 12 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Pennsylvania Avenue

    55 m · 10 sec · South Pennsylvania Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto West Pine Street

    111 m · 21 sec · West Pine Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto South Kansas Avenue

    3227 ft · 2 min · South Kansas Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn right

    3170 ft · 1 min

  6. 6

    Turn left onto North East Avenue

    11.1 mi · 17 min · North East Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn left

    63.5 mi · 1 hr 13 min

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway

    52 m · 2 sec · Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway

  9. 9

    Exit the roundabout onto Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway

    61.6 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway

    7.3 mi · 9 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on East 7th Avenue

    1.1 km · 2 min · East 7th Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway

    10.6 mi · 13 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35, KS 96: Kansas Turnpike

    1522 ft · 37 sec

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    1392 ft · 18 sec

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35: Kansas Turnpike, 127th Street East

    1617 ft · 44 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right

    869 ft · 21 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35 South: Kansas Turnpike South, Wichita, Oklahoma City

    1369 ft · 33 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto Kansas Turnpike

    7.5 mi · 7 min · Kansas Turnpike

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward KS 15: Wichita K-15

    2608 ft · 1 min

  20. 20

    Keep slight left

    45 m · 4 sec

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Turnpike Drive

    1143 ft · 19 sec · Turnpike Drive

  22. 22

    At the end of the road, turn left onto South Southeast Boulevard

    5.1 mi · 8 min · South Southeast Boulevard

  23. 23

    Continue on North Baltimore Avenue

    2237 ft · 45 sec · North Baltimore Avenue

  24. 24

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    83 m · 17 sec · East Main Street

  25. 25

    Turn left

    37 m · 9 sec

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbus and Derby.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
26 steps
17 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
1 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
61.6 mi · 36%
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
17.9 mi · 10%
North East Avenue
11.1 mi · 7%
Kansas Turnpike
7.49 mi · 4%
South Southeast Boulevard
5.11 mi · 3%
I 35
0.86 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn left

63.5 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 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+34.8 mi
135.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
New Albany
01h 27m from Columbus
Leave By
12:38 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Columbus and Sunny near Derby.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Columbus to Derby?

The road trip is about 170.5 miles (274.4 km) and usually takes 02h 55m 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 Albany is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.5 miles from Columbus and 85 miles from Derby.

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

The direct path is about 135.7 miles (218.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:38 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.70 one way or $45.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Columbus and Sunny near Derby.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbus and Derby. Straight-line distance: 135.68 mi (218.36 km).

Columbus

#1 Columbus

City in Cherokee County, Kansas, United States

Population3,006
Coordinates37.1692300, -94.8441200
Altitude278
CountryUnited States
Derby

#2 Derby

City in Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States

Population25,145
Coordinates37.5455700, -97.2689300
Altitude394
CountryUnited States
Start: South Pennsylvania Avenue (-94.843823, 37.169229)
End: North Georgie (-97.268759, 37.545571)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 274 km by road

SpeedTime
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 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 07m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.02 gal
22.77 L · about $22.70
Round trip
$45.40
12.04 gal · 45.54 L
Estimated CO2
53.5 kg one way
Round trip: 107 kg / 236 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.70 $45.40
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.60 $51.21
Premium $4.65 $28.02 $56.03
Diesel $5.30 $31.93 $63.86

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 Kansas · May 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Columbus and Derby. The current time is 17:34:46.

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.