How far is Starkville, MS from Columbia, MS?
The driving distance from Starkville, MS to Columbia, MS is about 214.9 miles (345.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 163.1 miles (262.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 23m 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 11m.
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 and the county seat of Lauderdale County, Mississippi, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Starkville and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Starkville and Columbia.
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1
Start on the route
88 m · 27 sec
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2
Turn left
65 m · 16 sec
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3
Continue on Victory Lane
869 ft · 38 sec · Victory Lane
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4
Continue on Eckford Drive
782 ft · 36 sec · Eckford Drive
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5
Turn right onto MS 12
1.8 mi · 3 min · MS 12
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6
Turn slight right onto MS 182 East
869 ft · 32 sec
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7
Turn straight onto Martin Luther King, Junior Drive East
1.4 km · 2 min · Martin Luther King, Junior Drive East
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8
Continue on Highway 182 East
1 mi · 2 min · Highway 182 East
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9
Take the ramp slight right toward US 82 East, MS 12 East, MS 25 North: Columbus, West Point
1692 ft · 41 sec
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10
Merge slight left
5.9 mi · 6 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 45 Alternate South: Meridian
2253 ft · 55 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto US Highway 45 Alternate
18.4 mi · 22 min · US Highway 45 Alternate
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13
Continue on US Highway 45 Aiternate
60.6 mi · 1 hr 9 min · US Highway 45 Aiternate
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14
Keep slight right
3.9 mi · 4 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward I 59 South, I 20 West: Meridian
2689 ft · 1 min
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16
Merge slight left
6.3 mi · 8 min
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17
Continue straight
1.8 mi · 2 min
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
82.8 mi · 1 hr 30 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward US 98 West: Columbia, Hardy Street
862 ft · 21 sec
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20
Keep slight left to continue on US 98 West: Hardy Street, University of Southern Mississippi, Columbia
72 m · 8 sec
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21
Turn right onto Hardy Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Hardy Street
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22
Continue straight
1971 ft · 38 sec
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23
Continue straight
1353 ft · 23 sec
-
24
Continue straight
3.1 mi · 4 min
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25
Continue straight
1.7 mi · 2 min
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26
Continue straight
19.1 mi · 22 min
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27
Take the exit slight right toward Old Hwy 98 East
1.6 km · 2 min · Old Hwy 98 East
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28
Continue on Broad Street
2.1 mi · 4 min · Broad Street
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29
Continue on Main Street
125 m · 7 sec · Main Street
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30
Turn left onto 2nd Street
739 ft · 26 sec · 2nd Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Starkville and Columbia.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 59 South
Keep slight left to continue on I 59 South: Laurel, New Orleans
82.8 mi · 01h 30m
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 Starkville and Sunny near Columbia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Starkville to Columbia?
The road trip is about 214.9 miles (345.9 km) and usually takes 04h 11m 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?
Meridian is a useful midpoint, sitting about 107.6 miles from Starkville and 107.4 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 163.1 miles (262.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.8 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 8:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.74 one way or $59.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Starkville and Sunny near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near Meridian
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 Meridian.
Union Station
Laurel station
Thomasville, AL
Grove Hill, AL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Starkville and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 163.12 mi (262.51 km).
#1 Starkville
City in Mississippi
| Population | 25,540 |
| Coordinates | 33.4504900, -88.8196100 |
| Altitude | 101 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Columbia
City in Mississippi, United States
| Population | 5,850 |
| Coordinates | 31.2518400, -89.8375800 |
| Altitude | 45 |
| Country | United States |
End: Columbia (-89.83758, 31.25184)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 346 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.92 | $29.74 | $59.49 |
| Mid-grade | $4.38 | $33.22 | $66.43 |
| Premium | $4.77 | $36.18 | $72.36 |
| Diesel | $5.89 | $44.65 | $89.29 |
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 Mississippi · Oct 15, 2026