How far is Vandalia, MO from Columbia, MO?

The driving distance from Vandalia, MO to Columbia, MO is about 68.3 miles (109.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 12m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 51.7 miles (83.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 24m 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
68.29 mi
01h 12m
Flight
51.67 mi
83.15 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Vandalia.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
51.67 mi
Kilometers
83.15 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
68.29 mi
Kilometers
109.91 km
Drive Time
01h 12m

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 01h 12m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbia
Mon, May 25, 3:12 AM CDT
Return by in Vandalia
Mon, May 25, 4:24 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Vandalia
2026-05-25T02:00
Arrive Columbia
Mon, May 25, 3:12 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 12m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:12 AM to 11:12 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:06 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Vandalia
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
Champ
MO

Unincorporated community in Missouri

From Vandalia
34.1 mi
00h 36m
To Columbia
34.2 mi
00h 36m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Memorial Day

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph SE
Destination
85°F
Memorial Day

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Main Street

    15 m · 3 sec · North Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto US 54

    8.9 mi · 12 min · US 54

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route

    74 m · 3 sec

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout

    8.1 mi · 11 min

  5. 5

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Scott's Corner

    19 m · 1 sec

  6. 6

    Exit the rotary

    10.4 mi · 14 min

  7. 7

    Turn left onto US 54 West: Jefferson City

    18.1 mi · 20 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia

    1253 ft · 15 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    18.6 mi · 24 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

    2 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

    2421 ft · 34 sec · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 163: Downtown

    747 ft · 16 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto North Providence Road

    1.2 mi · 3 min · North Providence Road

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Providence Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Vandalia 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
14 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
1 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
18.6 mi · 27%
US 54 West
18.1 mi · 26%
US 54
17.1 mi · 25%
Scott's Corner
10.4 mi · 15%
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.96 mi · 3%
North Providence Road
1.23 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

18.6 mi · 00h 24m

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
01h 12m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.6 mi
51.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Champ
00h 36m from Vandalia
Leave By
4:06 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Vandalia and Sunny near Columbia.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 68.3 miles (109.9 km) and usually takes 01h 12m 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?

Champ is a useful midpoint, sitting about 34.1 miles from Vandalia and 34.2 miles from Columbia.

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

The direct path is about 51.7 miles (83.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.6 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 4:06 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.09 one way or $18.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 21.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Vandalia and Sunny near Columbia.

Stop Ideas Near Champ

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

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

RAIL

Hermann

63 mi away
Wharf & Gutenberg Sts.
RAIL

Jefferson City

64 mi away
101 Jefferson Street
RAIL

Washington

101 mi away
301 West Front St.
RAIL

Quincy

105 mi away
North 30th St. and Wisman Lane

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Vandalia and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 51.67 mi (83.15 km).

Vandalia

#1 Vandalia

City in Audrain and Ralls Counties, Missouri, USA

Population3,496
Coordinates39.3108700, -91.4884900
Altitude232
CountryUnited States
Columbia

#2 Columbia

The most populous city in the state of Missouri.

Population124,769
Coordinates38.9517100, -92.3340700
Altitude215
CountryUnited States
Start: North Main Street (-91.488422, 39.310898)
End: North Providence Road (-92.33414, 38.951711)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 110 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 21m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 08m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 58m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 51m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.41 gal
9.12 L · about $9.09
Round trip
$18.18
4.82 gal · 18.24 L
Estimated CO2
21.4 kg one way
Round trip: 42.8 kg / 94 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.09 $18.18
Mid-grade $4.25 $10.25 $20.50
Premium $4.65 $11.22 $22.43
Diesel $5.30 $12.78 $25.57

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 · May 25, 2026

There is no time difference between Vandalia and Columbia. The current time is 02:00:07.

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.