How far is Salina, KS from Columbus, KS?
The driving distance from Salina, KS to Columbus, KS is about 247.8 miles (398.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 189.8 miles (305.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 43m 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 51m.
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 Butler County, Kansas, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Salina and Columbus.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salina and Columbus.
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1
Start on South 8th Street
28 m · 6 sec · South 8th Street
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2
Turn right onto West Iron Avenue
672 ft · 35 sec · West Iron Avenue
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3
Turn right onto South Santa Fe Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · South Santa Fe Avenue
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Claflin Avenue
965 ft · 25 sec · West Claflin Avenue
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5
Turn left onto South 9th Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · South 9th Street
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6
Turn right
43 m · 5 sec
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7
Turn right onto West Magnolia Road
1753 ft · 50 sec · West Magnolia Road
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8
Take the ramp left
1310 ft · 32 sec
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9
Merge slight left
57.3 mi · 57 min
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10
Continue straight
2.2 mi · 2 min
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11
Continue straight
4.9 mi · 5 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward KS 196: Whitewater, El Dorado
1369 ft · 34 sec
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13
Turn left onto KS 196/Southeast 72nd Street
9.6 mi · 11 min · KS 196/Southeast 72nd Street
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14
Continue on KS 196/Northwest 90th Street
18.9 mi · 22 min · KS 196/Northwest 90th Street
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15
Continue on Northwest State Road 196
135 m · 14 sec · Northwest State Road 196
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16
Take the ramp left
1429 ft · 39 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Southwest 20th Street
1.4 km · 1 min · Southwest 20th Street
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18
Continue on West Central Avenue
2.3 mi · 5 min · West Central Avenue
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19
Turn right onto South Denver Street
2328 ft · 1 min · South Denver Street
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20
Turn left onto West Kansas Avenue
1974 ft · 56 sec · West Kansas Avenue
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21
Turn right onto South Main Street
9.2 mi · 11 min · South Main Street
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22
Turn left onto Southeast 100th Street
1421 ft · 24 sec · Southeast 100th Street
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23
Turn left onto Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway
61.1 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Atomic Veterans Memorial Highway
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24
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
48 m · 2 sec · Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
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25
Exit the roundabout onto Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
63.6 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
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26
Turn right
11.1 mi · 17 min
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27
Turn right
3170 ft · 59 sec
-
28
Turn left onto North Kansas Avenue
3228 ft · 2 min · North Kansas Avenue
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29
Turn right onto West Pine Street
111 m · 21 sec · West Pine Street
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30
Turn left onto South Pennsylvania Avenue
55 m · 10 sec · South Pennsylvania Avenue
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31
Turn right
27 m · 6 sec
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salina and Columbus.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
Exit the roundabout onto Clayton J. Connell Memorial Highway
63.6 mi · 01h 14m
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.
Sunny leaving Salina and Sunny near Columbus.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salina to Columbus?
The road trip is about 247.8 miles (398.8 km) and usually takes 04h 51m 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?
Latham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 123.8 miles from Salina and 124 miles from Columbus.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 189.8 miles (305.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 58 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 7:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.96 one way or $65.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Salina and Sunny near Columbus.
Stop Ideas Near Latham
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 Latham.
Newton
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salina and Columbus. Straight-line distance: 189.8 mi (305.45 km).
#1 Salina
The most populous city in Saline County, Kansas.
| Population | 46,274 |
| Coordinates | 38.8402800, -97.6114200 |
| Altitude | 373 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Columbus
City in Cherokee County, Kansas, United States
| Population | 3,006 |
| Coordinates | 37.1692300, -94.8441200 |
| Altitude | 278 |
| Country | United States |
End: Columbus (-94.84412, 37.16923)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 399 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.96 | $65.92 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.17 | $74.34 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.68 | $81.35 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.36 | $92.71 |
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 Kansas · May 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.