How far is Columbus, KS from Salina, KS?
The driving distance from Columbus, KS to Salina, KS is about 250.2 miles (402.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 189.8 miles (305.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 07m 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 03m.
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 Butler County, Kansas, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbus and Salina.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbus and Salina.
-
1
Start on the route
27 m · 12 sec
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2
Turn left onto South Pennsylvania Avenue
55 m · 10 sec · South Pennsylvania Avenue
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3
Turn right onto West Pine Street
111 m · 21 sec · West Pine Street
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4
Turn left onto South Kansas Avenue
3227 ft · 2 min · South Kansas Avenue
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5
Turn right
3170 ft · 1 min
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6
Turn left onto North East Avenue
11.1 mi · 17 min · North East Avenue
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7
Turn left
63.5 mi · 1 hr 13 min
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
52 m · 2 sec · Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
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9
Exit the roundabout onto Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
61.6 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
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10
Continue on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
7.3 mi · 9 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
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11
Continue on East 7th Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · East 7th Avenue
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12
Continue on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
10.6 mi · 13 min · Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 35, KS 96: Kansas Turnpike
1522 ft · 37 sec
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14
Continue straight
10.1 mi · 12 min
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 135 North, KS 96 West, US 81 North, KS 15 North: Salina, Hutchinson
2.2 mi · 3 min
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16
Continue straight
18 mi · 19 min
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17
Continue straight
2.1 mi · 2 min
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18
Continue straight
60.7 mi · 1 hr 1 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward KS 140
815 ft · 21 sec
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20
Turn right onto West State Street
2107 ft · 40 sec · West State Street
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21
Keep slight right
131 m · 9 sec
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22
Turn straight onto West State Street
1.5 km · 2 min · West State Street
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23
Turn right onto North College Avenue
116 m · 16 sec · North College Avenue
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24
Turn left onto West Iron Avenue
2400 ft · 1 min · West Iron Avenue
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25
Turn right onto South 8th Street
28 m · 4 sec · South 8th Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 8th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbus and Salina.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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 Columbus and Sunny near Salina.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbus to Salina?
The road trip is about 250.2 miles (402.6 km) and usually takes 04h 03m 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?
Leon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 125.7 miles from Columbus and 124.5 miles from Salina.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 189.8 miles (305.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 60.4 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 8:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.30 one way or $66.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Columbus and Sunny near Salina.
Stop Ideas Near Leon
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 Leon.
Newton
Hutchinson
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbus and Salina. Straight-line distance: 189.8 mi (305.45 km).
#1 Columbus
City in Cherokee County, Kansas, United States
| Population | 3,006 |
| Coordinates | 37.1692300, -94.8441200 |
| Altitude | 278 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Salina
The most populous city in Saline County, Kansas.
| Population | 46,274 |
| Coordinates | 38.8402800, -97.6114200 |
| Altitude | 373 |
| Country | United States |
End: South 8th Street (-97.611466, 38.840281)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 403 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.30 | $66.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.55 | $75.11 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.09 | $82.19 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.83 | $93.67 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.