You'd think a 400-mile hop between two major Midwestern hubs would be a breeze. Honestly, it is, but if you haven't looked at flights from Columbus Ohio to St Louis Missouri lately, you might be surprised by how the "usual" way of doing things has shifted. We're not just talking about Southwest's dominance anymore. There's a whole dance of layovers, "hidden" budget routes, and the eternal question of whether it's actually faster to just drive I-70.
I’ve looked at the data for 2026. If you’re flying out of John Glenn (CMH) and heading to Lambert (STL), the strategy isn't just "buy a ticket and go." It’s about timing the daily Southwest monopoly against the connecting chaos of the legacy carriers.
The Nonstop Reality Check
Let's be real: Southwest Airlines is the king of this route. As of early 2026, they remain the only carrier consistently offering direct service. You can usually find at least one or two nonstops a day. The flight time? About 1 hour and 25 minutes. Basically, you’ve barely finished your coffee before the wheels are down in Missouri.
But here is the catch.
Because they're the only game in town for direct flights, prices can get weirdly high if you book late. I’ve seen tickets jump from $180 round-trip to well over $450 just because a convention is happening at the Dome at America’s Center.
If you miss that daily Southwest window, or if their pricing is acting up, you’re looking at connections. Most people default to American or United. You'll likely loop through Chicago (ORD) or Charlotte. Suddenly, that 90-minute flight turns into a 4-hour odyssey.
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Is it worth it? Sometimes. If you’re a miles junkie or if the Southwest times don’t align with your 9:00 AM meeting, a 6:00 AM departure on American with a quick layover in O'Hare actually gets you there at a decent hour.
Timing Your Trip for the Best Rates
Most travel sites will tell you to book on a Tuesday. That's kinda dated advice, to be honest. In 2026, the real trick for flights from Columbus Ohio to St Louis Missouri is looking at the "February Slump."
Data from Expedia and Travelocity shows that February is consistently the cheapest month to fly this specific route. We're talking one-way fares as low as $70–$79 if you’re willing to fly on a Tuesday or Wednesday. If you try to do this same trip in mid-October when the foliage is peaking and the weather is perfect, expect to pay a premium.
- Cheapest Day: Thursday (usually saves you about 16% compared to Sunday).
- Most Expensive Day: Sunday (everyone is rushing home for work).
- Booking Window: 21 to 30 days out is the "sweet spot." Don't wait until the week of.
The Drive vs. Fly Debate
I get asked this all the time. "Should I just drive?"
It’s about 420 miles. If you’re a speed demon, you can do it in 6 hours and 30 minutes. If you hit traffic in Indianapolis? Add an hour.
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When you factor in the "Airport Tax"—the two hours early you have to arrive at CMH, the time spent at baggage claim in STL, and the rental car shuffle—the total travel time for a flight is basically 4 to 5 hours.
You’re saving maybe two hours by flying. For a lot of people, the $200+ price tag for a flight doesn't make sense when a tank of gas is $50. But if you're traveling for business, those two hours are everything.
Why You Might Choose the Connection
Wait, why would anyone choose a flight with a stop?
Frontier has been playing around with some "hacker" routes recently. Sometimes you can find a flight that stops in a different hub but costs half of what the Southwest nonstop does. If you’re a student at OSU or just trying to get to a Cardinals game on a budget, an extra three hours in an airport might be worth the $100 savings.
Lambert-St. Louis International: What to Expect
When you finally land, you’re at STL. If you flew Southwest, you’re in Terminal 2. It’s smaller, easier to navigate, but the food options are a bit more limited than Terminal 1.
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If you took a connecting flight on American or Delta, you’ll be in Terminal 1.
Pro tip: if you have some time to kill before your return flight, the airport has some surprisingly good local food. Get some toasted ravioli. It’s a St. Louis staple and honestly, it’s better than anything you’ll get on the plane.
Actionable Steps for Your Booking
If you are ready to book your trip today, follow this exact sequence to ensure you aren't overpaying:
- Check Southwest first: Go directly to their site. They don't show up on Google Flights or Expedia's main price aggregators.
- Compare the "Big Three": Use a tool like Google Flights to see if American or United has a connecting flight that beats the Southwest price by more than $100. If the difference is less than $100, take the nonstop. Your sanity is worth it.
- Track the price: If you are more than 6 weeks out, set a price alert. This route fluctuates wildly based on demand for events like the St. Louis LouFest or big Cardinals/Cubs series.
- Consider the "hidden" airport: While CMH is the main hub, occasionally check Rickenbacker (LCK) if Allegiant is running a weird seasonal promo nearby, though it’s rare for this specific city pair.
The Midwest isn't always known for cheap airfare between its own cities, but with a little bit of tactical booking, you can keep this trip under $200. Just don't wait until the last minute, or you'll be stuck on I-70 with the semi-trucks.