How far is Potosi, MO from Columbia, MO?

The driving distance from Potosi, MO to Columbia, MO is about 147.5 miles (237.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 109.2 miles (175.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 30m 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
147.53 mi
02h 45m
Flight
109.18 mi
175.71 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Potosi.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
109.18 mi
Kilometers
175.71 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
147.53 mi
Kilometers
237.42 km
Drive Time
02h 45m

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 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbia
Wed, Apr 15, 7:31 PM CDT
Return by in Potosi
Wed, Apr 15, 10:17 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Potosi
2026-04-15T16:46
Arrive Columbia
Wed, Apr 15, 7:31 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:45 AM to 12:45 PM CDT

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

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

City in Warren County, Missouri, United States

From Potosi
72.8 mi
01h 22m
To Columbia
74.8 mi
01h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Today

Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 mph SW
Destination
65°F
Overnight

Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West High Street

    1 mi · 2 min · West High Street

  2. 2

    Turn left

    11.1 mi · 15 min

  3. 3

    Turn left

    20.4 mi · 35 min

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left

    6.2 mi · 10 min

  5. 5

    Turn straight onto South Commercial Avenue

    1 mi · 2 min · South Commercial Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    6.2 mi · 9 min · North Main Street

  7. 7

    At the end of the road, turn left

    2437 ft · 55 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right

    31.1 mi · 47 min

  9. 9

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

    1032 ft · 13 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    66.6 mi · 1 hr 16 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 163: Downtown

    747 ft · 16 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto North Providence Road

    1.2 mi · 3 min · North Providence Road

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Providence Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Potosi 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
13 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 70 West
66.8 mi · 45%
North Main Street
6.19 mi · 4%
North Providence Road
1.23 mi · 1%
South Commercial Avenue
1.05 mi · 1%
West High Street
1.01 mi · 1%
MO 163
0.14 mi
Longest Stretch

I 70 West

Merge slight left

66.6 mi · 01h 16m

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 45m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+38.3 mi
109.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Warrenton
01h 22m from Potosi
Leave By
1:00 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Potosi and Isolated 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 Potosi to Columbia?

The road trip is about 147.5 miles (237.4 km) and usually takes 02h 45m 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?

Warrenton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.8 miles from Potosi and 74.8 miles from Columbia.

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

The direct path is about 109.2 miles (175.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.3 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 1:00 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.65 one way or $39.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Potosi and Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbia.

Stop Ideas Near Warrenton

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Warrenton and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 3.7 mi away

Warrenton City Animal Control

Warrenton , MO
314 Coleman, Warrenton, MO 63383
Rating 4.5/5 6 reviews Animal control service,City government office
Warrenton City Hall
Meeting point 3.7 mi away

Warrenton City Hall

Warrenton , MO
200 W Booneslick Rd, Warrenton, MO 63383
Rating 2.7/5 7 reviews City Hall,City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Warrenton.

RAIL

Hermann

28 mi away
Wharf & Gutenberg Sts.
RAIL

Washington

30 mi away
301 West Front St.
RAIL

Kirkwood

69 mi away
110 West Argonne Dr.
RAIL

Gateway Transportation Center

84 mi away
551 South 16th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Potosi and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 109.18 mi (175.71 km).

Potosi

#1 Potosi

County seat of Washington County, Missouri, United States

Population2,548
Coordinates37.9364400, -90.7879100
Altitude275
CountryUnited States
Columbia

#2 Columbia

The most populous city in the state of Missouri.

Population124,769
Coordinates38.9517100, -92.3340700
Altitude215
CountryUnited States
Start: West High Street (-90.787973, 37.936381)
End: North Providence Road (-92.33414, 38.951711)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 237 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 41m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 06m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 50m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.21 gal
19.71 L · about $19.65
Round trip
$39.29
10.42 gal · 39.42 L
Estimated CO2
46.3 kg one way
Round trip: 92.6 kg / 204 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.65 $39.29
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.16 $44.32
Premium $4.65 $24.25 $48.49
Diesel $5.30 $27.63 $55.27

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Potosi and Columbia. The current time is 16:46:44.

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.