How far is Poplar Bluff, MO from Columbia, MO?
The driving distance from Poplar Bluff, MO to Columbia, MO is about 263.4 miles (423.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 184.9 miles (297.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 27m 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 13m.
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 Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Poplar Bluff and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Poplar Bluff and Columbia.
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1
Start on West Pine Street
1.3 km · 1 min · West Pine Street
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2
Turn right onto North Westwood Boulevard
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Westwood Boulevard
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3
Continue on State Street
1396 ft · 26 sec · State Street
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4
Continue on North Westwood Boulevard
1.6 mi · 2 min · North Westwood Boulevard
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5
Continue straight
2283 ft · 38 sec
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6
Continue straight
4 mi · 5 min
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7
Take the exit slight right
56 mi · 1 hr 6 min
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8
Turn right
12.8 mi · 19 min
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9
Turn slight right
41.6 mi · 57 min
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10
Turn left
1.5 mi · 3 min
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11
Turn right
24.3 mi · 32 min
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12
Turn right onto Salem Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · Salem Avenue
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13
Turn right onto Holloway Street
1.4 km · 3 min · Holloway Street
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14
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 18th Street
1072 ft · 37 sec · East 18th Street
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15
Continue on North Walnut Street
747 ft · 30 sec · North Walnut Street
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16
Turn right onto North Bishop Avenue
12.9 mi · 16 min · North Bishop Avenue
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17
Continue straight
48.5 mi · 1 hr 3 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 54 East, US 63 North: Fulton, Columbia
1591 ft · 41 sec
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19
Merge slight left
1.4 mi · 2 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward US 63 North: Columbia
26.1 mi · 29 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward MO 740
1273 ft · 33 sec
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22
Turn left onto East Stadium Boulevard
2.3 mi · 4 min · East Stadium Boulevard
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23
Turn right onto South Providence Road
1.6 km · 2 min · South 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 Poplar Bluff and Columbia.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
North Westwood Boulevard
Take the exit slight right
56 mi · 01h 06m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Poplar Bluff and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance 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 Poplar Bluff to Columbia?
The road trip is about 263.4 miles (423.9 km) and usually takes 04h 13m 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?
Salem is a useful midpoint, sitting about 119.7 miles from Poplar Bluff and 143.7 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 184.9 miles (297.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 78.5 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 8:32 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.03 one way or $70.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Poplar Bluff and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near Salem
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 Salem.
Washington
Jefferson City
Hermann
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Poplar Bluff and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 184.94 mi (297.64 km).
#1 Poplar Bluff
City in Butler County in Southeast Missouri, United States
| Population | 16,807 |
| Coordinates | 36.7570000, -90.3928900 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| 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: 424 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $35.03 | $70.07 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.51 | $79.02 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $43.24 | $86.47 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $49.27 | $98.55 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.