How far is East Prairie, MO from Columbia, MO?
The driving distance from East Prairie, MO to Columbia, MO is about 270.5 miles (435.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 220 miles (354 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 24m 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 12m.
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.
Census designated place
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 East Prairie and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Prairie and Columbia.
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1
Start on East Main Street
26 m · 6 sec · East Main Street
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2
Turn right onto North Washington Street
1650 ft · 34 sec · North Washington Street
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3
Turn right
9.5 mi · 13 min
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4
Take the ramp sharp left
1236 ft · 30 sec
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5
Merge slight left
10 mi · 11 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
1987 ft · 48 sec
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7
Merge slight left
27.1 mi · 29 min
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8
Keep slight left
101.5 mi · 1 hr 49 min
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9
Continue on Rosa Parks Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Rosa Parks Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
1279 ft · 27 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 270 West: Kansas City
118 m · 8 sec
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12
Continue on I 270 West
1.2 km · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left
11.5 mi · 14 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
705 ft · 17 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
2009 ft · 49 sec
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16
Continue on I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
674 ft · 10 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
25.4 mi · 31 min · Avenue of the Saints
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18
Take the exit slight left toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
3047 ft · 1 min
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19
Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
80.7 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
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20
Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
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21
Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
2421 ft · 34 sec · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward MO 163: Downtown
747 ft · 16 sec
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23
Turn left onto North Providence Road
1.2 mi · 3 min · North Providence Road
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Providence Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between East Prairie and Columbia.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 55 North
Keep slight left
102 mi · 01h 49m
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 East Prairie and Sunny near Columbia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from East Prairie to Columbia?
The road trip is about 270.5 miles (435.4 km) and usually takes 04h 12m 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?
Barnhart is a useful midpoint, sitting about 137 miles from East Prairie and 133.6 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 220 miles (354 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.01 one way or $72.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around East Prairie and Sunny near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near Barnhart
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 Barnhart.
Kirkwood
Gateway Transportation Center
Washington
Alton
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between East Prairie and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 219.94 mi (353.96 km).
#1 East Prairie
City in Mississippi County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 2,924 |
| Coordinates | 36.7797800, -89.3856300 |
| Altitude | 93 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Columbia
The most populous city in the state of Missouri.
| Population | 124,769 |
| Coordinates | 38.9517100, -92.3340700 |
| Altitude | 215 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Providence Road (-92.33414, 38.951711)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 435 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $36.01 | $72.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $40.62 | $81.23 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $44.45 | $88.89 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $50.65 | $101.31 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.