How far is Kearney, MO from Columbia, MO?

The driving distance from Kearney, MO to Columbia, MO is about 130.6 miles (210.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 15m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 112.4 miles (180.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 31m 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
130.57 mi
02h 15m
Flight
112.39 mi
180.87 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kearney.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
112.39 mi
Kilometers
180.87 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
130.57 mi
Kilometers
210.14 km
Drive Time
02h 15m

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 15m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbia
Sat, May 30, 8:59 PM CDT
Return by in Kearney
Sat, May 30, 11:14 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kearney
2026-05-30T18:43
Arrive Columbia
Sat, May 30, 8:59 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 15m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:16 AM to 12:16 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:58 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Kearney
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
Emma
MO

City in Lafayette and Saline counties in the U.

From Kearney
64.6 mi
01h 07m
To Columbia
66 mi
01h 07m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
This Afternoon

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 30 5:00 PM CDT
Wind
12 mph SE
Destination
80°F
This Afternoon

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 30 2:00 PM CDT
Wind
7 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South Jefferson Street

    14 m · 6 sec · South Jefferson Street

  2. 2

    Turn right

    7.1 mi · 11 min

  3. 3

    Turn right

    2666 ft · 58 sec

  4. 4

    Turn left onto North Jesse James Road

    1.3 km · 2 min · North Jesse James Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Miller Avenue

    981 ft · 27 sec · Miller Avenue

  6. 6

    Continue on Dunbar Avenue

    2366 ft · 1 min · Dunbar Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Beverly Street

    90 m · 8 sec · Beverly Street

  8. 8

    Turn slight right onto Cliff Drive

    77 m · 7 sec · Cliff Drive

  9. 9

    Continue on North Kansas City Avenue

    1334 ft · 43 sec · North Kansas City Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn left onto West Broadway Street

    2186 ft · 1 min · West Broadway Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Saratoga Street

    773 ft · 22 sec · Saratoga Street

  12. 12

    Merge slight right onto Isley Boulevard

    13.5 mi · 19 min · Isley Boulevard

  13. 13

    Turn left

    2.6 mi · 3 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 13: Polo, Henrietta

    1769 ft · 38 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on MO 13 South: Henrietta

    48 m · 4 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto South Spartan Drive

    24.5 mi · 31 min · South Spartan Drive

  17. 17

    Take the exit left toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Columbia

    954 ft · 23 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    19.9 mi · 21 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  19. 19

    Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

    32 mi · 34 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

    22.4 mi · 24 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

  21. 21

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  22. 22

    Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

    1.3 km · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 163: Downtown

    672 ft · 16 sec

  24. 24

    Turn right onto North Providence Road

    1.2 mi · 3 min · North Providence Road

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Providence Road

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
25 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 42%
South Spartan Drive
24.5 mi · 19%
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
21.6 mi · 17%
Isley Boulevard
13.5 mi · 10%
North Providence Road
1.18 mi · 1%
North Jesse James Road
0.82 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

32 mi · 00h 34m

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 15m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.2 mi
112.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Emma
01h 07m from Kearney
Leave By
1:58 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Kearney and Scattered 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 Kearney to Columbia?

The road trip is about 130.6 miles (210.1 km) and usually takes 02h 15m 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?

Emma is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.6 miles from Kearney and 66 miles from Columbia.

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

The direct path is about 112.4 miles (180.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.2 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 1:58 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.38 one way or $34.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Kearney and Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbia.

Stop Ideas Near Emma

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

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

RAIL

Warrensburg

31 mi away
100 South Holden St.
RAIL

Sedalia

37 mi away
100 block of Main Street, through parking lot
RAIL

Lee's Summit

77 mi away
217 SW Main St.
RAIL

Independence

82 mi away
600 South Grand Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kearney and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 112.39 mi (180.87 km).

Kearney

#1 Kearney

City in Clay County, Missouri, United States

Population11,155
Coordinates39.3677800, -94.3621700
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Columbia

#2 Columbia

The most populous city in the state of Missouri.

Population124,769
Coordinates38.9517100, -92.3340700
Altitude215
CountryUnited States
Start: South Jefferson Street (-94.362157, 39.367784)
End: North Providence Road (-92.33414, 38.951711)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 210 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 15m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.61 gal
17.44 L · about $17.38
Round trip
$34.77
9.22 gal · 34.88 L
Estimated CO2
41 kg one way
Round trip: 81.9 kg / 181 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.38 $34.77
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.61 $39.21
Premium $4.65 $21.45 $42.91
Diesel $5.30 $24.45 $48.90

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 · May 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Kearney and Columbia. The current time is 18:43:30.

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.