How far is West Plains, MO from Columbia, MO?
The driving distance from West Plains, MO to Columbia, MO is about 191.9 miles (308.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 155.8 miles (250.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 46m 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 03h 23m.
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 Phelps County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Plains and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Plains and Columbia.
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1
Start on Court Square
16 m · 2 sec · Court Square
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2
Turn left onto Court Square
1.1 km · 2 min · Court Square
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3
Continue on Porter Wagoner Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · Porter Wagoner Boulevard
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4
Turn left onto Gibson Street
1277 ft · 22 sec · Gibson Street
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5
Turn right onto Jan Howard Expressway
1.2 mi · 2 min · Jan Howard Expressway
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6
Continue on Porter Wagoner Boulevard
1.2 km · 59 sec · Porter Wagoner Boulevard
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7
Continue on Sunset Terrace
28.5 mi · 33 min · Sunset Terrace
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 63 North, US 60 Business: Houston, Rolla
65.8 mi · 1 hr 23 min
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9
Continue on North Bishop Avenue
87 m · 5 sec · North Bishop Avenue
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10
Keep slight left to continue on North Bishop Avenue
56 m · 3 sec · North Bishop Avenue
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Tim Bradley Way
2000 ft · 48 sec · Tim Bradley Way
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
55 m · 3 sec
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13
Exit the roundabout
7.5 mi · 11 min
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14
Turn right
7.5 mi · 10 min
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15
Turn left
44.6 mi · 58 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 54 East, US 63 North: Fulton, Columbia
1591 ft · 41 sec
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17
Merge slight left
1.4 mi · 2 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 63 North: Columbia
26.1 mi · 29 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward MO 740
1273 ft · 33 sec
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20
Turn left onto East Stadium Boulevard
2.3 mi · 4 min · East Stadium Boulevard
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21
Turn right onto South Providence Road
1.6 km · 2 min · South Providence Road
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Providence Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Plains and Columbia.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
US 63 North
Take the exit slight right toward US 63 North, US 60 Business: Houston, Rolla
65.8 mi · 01h 23m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving West Plains 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 West Plains to Columbia?
The road trip is about 191.9 miles (308.9 km) and usually takes 03h 23m 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?
Rolla is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.9 miles from West Plains and 97.1 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 155.8 miles (250.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.1 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 10:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.53 one way or $51.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around West Plains and Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near Rolla
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 Rolla.
Jefferson City
Hermann
Washington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Plains and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 155.86 mi (250.84 km).
#1 West Plains
City in Missouri, United States
| Population | 12,383 |
| Coordinates | 36.7281200, -91.8523700 |
| Altitude | 306 |
| 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: 309 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.53 | $51.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.79 | $57.59 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $31.51 | $63.02 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $35.91 | $71.82 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.