How far is Peoria, IL from Columbia, IL?

The driving distance from Peoria, IL to Columbia, IL is about 178.3 miles (287 km), with a travel time of about 03h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 158.8 miles (255.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
178.32 mi
03h 20m
Flight
158.84 mi
255.63 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Peoria.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
158.84 mi
Kilometers
255.63 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
178.32 mi
Kilometers
286.98 km
Drive Time
03h 20m

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 03h 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbia
Sat, May 30, 10:25 AM CDT
Return by in Peoria
Sat, May 30, 1:45 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Peoria
2026-05-30T07:05
Arrive Columbia
Sat, May 30, 10:25 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:20 AM to 11:20 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:20 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Peoria
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Divernon
IL

City in Illinois, United States of America

From Peoria
89.2 mi
01h 40m
To Columbia
89.1 mi
01h 40m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
87°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 6 mph ENE
Destination
82°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
1 to 7 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Northeast Jefferson Avenue

    26 m · 6 sec · Northeast Jefferson Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Hamilton Boulevard

    141 m · 17 sec · Hamilton Boulevard

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Northeast Madison Avenue

    137 m · 16 sec · Northeast Madison Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Fayette Street

    143 m · 15 sec · Fayette Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp straight toward I 74 East, IL 29 South: Bloomington, Pekin

    1039 ft · 25 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Murray Baker Bridge

    7.3 mi · 9 min · Murray Baker Bridge

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 155 South: Lincoln

    1.2 km · 2 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    31.8 mi · 34 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    34 mi · 37 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis

    82 mi · 1 hr 29 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 255: Memphis, Interstate 270

    1386 ft · 34 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 255 South: Memphis

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    17.2 mi · 20 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight left toward IL 3 South: Columbia

    1.8 mi · 3 min

  15. 15

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · North Main Street

  16. 16

    Turn right

    24 m · 6 sec

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Peoria 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
17 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 South
82 mi · 46%
I 155 South
66.6 mi · 37%
I 255 South
18.3 mi · 10%
Murray Baker Bridge
7.34 mi · 4%
IL 3 South
1.84 mi · 1%
North Main Street
1.43 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 55 South

Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis

82 mi · 01h 29m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 20m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.5 mi
158.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Divernon
01h 40m from Peoria
Leave By
10:20 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Peoria and Partly Sunny near Columbia.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 178.3 miles (287 km) and usually takes 03h 20m 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?

Divernon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.2 miles from Peoria and 89.1 miles from Columbia.

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

The direct path is about 158.8 miles (255.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.5 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 10:20 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.72 one way or $47.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Peoria and Partly Sunny near Columbia.

Stop Ideas Near Divernon

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

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

RAIL

Springfield station

26 mi away
East Washington and North Third Sts.
RAIL

Carlinville

38 mi away
128 Alton Rd.
RAIL

Lincoln

69 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
RAIL

Alton

84 mi away
3400 College Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Peoria and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 158.84 mi (255.63 km).

Peoria

#1 Peoria

The third most populous city in Illinois.

Population109,428
Coordinates40.6936500, -89.5889900
Altitude153
CountryUnited States
Columbia

#2 Columbia

City in Illinois, United States

Population10,627
Coordinates38.4436600, -90.2012200
Altitude153
CountryUnited States
Start: Peoria (-89.58899, 40.69365)
End: Columbia (-90.20122, 38.44366)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 287 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.29 gal
23.82 L · about $23.72
Round trip
$47.44
12.58 gal · 47.64 L
Estimated CO2
55.9 kg one way
Round trip: 111.8 kg / 246 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.72 $47.44
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.75 $53.50
Premium $4.65 $29.27 $58.55
Diesel $5.30 $33.36 $66.72

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 Illinois · May 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Peoria and Columbia. The current time is 07:05:07.

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.