How far is Elsberry, MO from Columbia, MO?

The driving distance from Elsberry, MO to Columbia, MO is about 99.8 miles (160.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 84.6 miles (136.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 46m 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
99.79 mi
01h 53m
Flight
84.64 mi
136.21 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Elsberry.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
84.64 mi
Kilometers
136.21 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
99.79 mi
Kilometers
160.59 km
Drive Time
01h 53m

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 01h 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbia
Fri, Apr 24, 8:09 AM CDT
Return by in Elsberry
Fri, Apr 24, 10:02 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Elsberry
2026-04-24T06:16
Arrive Columbia
Fri, Apr 24, 8:09 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:53 AM to 11:53 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:44 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Elsberry
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
Montgomery City
MO

City in Missouri, United States

From Elsberry
49.6 mi
00h 56m
To Columbia
50.2 mi
00h 56m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
Friday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 24 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SW
Destination
71°F
Friday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 24 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Main Street

    21 m · 6 sec · North Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Broadway Street

    11.1 mi · 16 min · Broadway Street

  3. 3

    Continue straight

    15.7 mi · 22 min

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left

    2719 ft · 44 sec

  5. 5

    Turn right

    11.8 mi · 17 min

  6. 6

    Turn right

    4.6 mi · 6 min

  7. 7

    Turn left

    4.4 mi · 6 min

  8. 8

    Turn straight onto East 3rd Street

    1267 ft · 27 sec · East 3rd Street

  9. 9

    Turn left onto North Sturgeon Street

    115 m · 9 sec · North Sturgeon Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto West 2nd Street

    1867 ft · 32 sec · West 2nd Street

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto Danville Road

    702 ft · 12 sec · Danville Road

  12. 12

    Continue on Danville Road

    5 mi · 8 min · Danville Road

  13. 13

    At the end of the road, turn right

    2201 ft · 39 sec

  14. 14

    Take the ramp right toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia

    1085 ft · 13 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    41.1 mi · 48 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  16. 16

    Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

    2 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

  17. 17

    Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

    2421 ft · 34 sec · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 163: Downtown

    747 ft · 16 sec

  19. 19

    Turn left onto North Providence Road

    1.2 mi · 3 min · North Providence Road

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Providence Road

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
20 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
41.1 mi · 41%
Broadway Street
26.8 mi · 27%
Danville Road
5.16 mi · 5%
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.96 mi · 2%
North Providence Road
1.23 mi · 1%
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial High
0.46 mi
Longest Stretch

Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

41.1 mi · 00h 48m

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
01h 53m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.2 mi
84.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Montgomery City
00h 56m from Elsberry
Leave By
2:44 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Elsberry and Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbia.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 99.8 miles (160.6 km) and usually takes 01h 53m 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?

Montgomery City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.6 miles from Elsberry and 50.2 miles from Columbia.

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

The direct path is about 84.6 miles (136.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:44 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.27 one way or $26.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Elsberry and Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbia.

Stop Ideas Near Montgomery City

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Montgomery City, 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 Montgomery City.

RAIL

Hermann

31 mi away
Wharf & Gutenberg Sts.
RAIL

Washington

63 mi away
301 West Front St.
RAIL

Jefferson City

73 mi away
101 Jefferson Street
RAIL

Kirkwood

105 mi away
110 West Argonne Dr.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Elsberry and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 84.64 mi (136.21 km).

Elsberry

#1 Elsberry

City in Lincoln County, Missouri, United States

Population2,098
Coordinates39.1667200, -90.7809600
Altitude136
CountryUnited States
Columbia

#2 Columbia

The most populous city in the state of Missouri.

Population124,769
Coordinates38.9517100, -92.3340700
Altitude215
CountryUnited States
Start: State Highway 79 (-90.781059, 39.166679)
End: North Providence Road (-92.33414, 38.951711)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 161 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.52 gal
13.33 L · about $13.27
Round trip
$26.55
7.04 gal · 26.66 L
Estimated CO2
31.3 kg one way
Round trip: 62.6 kg / 138 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.27 $26.55
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.97 $29.94
Premium $4.65 $16.38 $32.76
Diesel $5.30 $18.67 $37.34

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 24, 2026

There is no time difference between Elsberry and Columbia. The current time is 06:16:32.

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.