If you are planning a quick getaway within Missouri, the 123.7-mile trek from Affton to Columbia is a straightforward journey. You can expect to spend about 2 hours and 33 minutes on the road, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $19, the drive is budget-friendly and requires only one planned stop to keep things comfortable. You will traverse the Midwest, moving between these two distinct Missouri communities. Because the travel time is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to decide whether to push through in one go or take a leisurely pace. It is a practical route for those looking to connect with the heart of the state without an exhausting multi-day commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
61.9 miles from Affton, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
80.7 mi
1h 35m
Avenue of the Saints
25.4 mi
30m
I 270
8.1 mi
10m
Gravois Road
4 mi
8m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2 mi
2m
North Providence Road
1.2 mi
2m
US 40
0.6 mi
1m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Affton, MO and Columbia, MO.
1
Start on this road
266 ft·19 sec·this road
2
Turn slight right
65 ft·5 sec
3
Turn right onto MO 30
211 ft·11 sec·Gravois Road
4
Continue on MO 30
4.0 mi·7 min·Gravois Road
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·33 sec
Toward I 270 North
6
Merge onto I 270
8.1 mi·10 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 12Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: WentzvilleUse the slight left lane.
9
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·9 sec·this road
Exit 12Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
10
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi·30 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit onto US 40
0.6 mi·1 min·US 40
Exit 1AToward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas CityUse the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
0.5 mi·34 sec·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 126Toward MO 163: Downtown
16
Turn left onto MO 163
1.2 mi·2 min·North Providence Road
17
Arrive at destination
MO 163
Trip Plan
For the smoothest experience, plan your departure to avoid peak traffic hours, especially since the route involves significant local driving. With a total duration of 2 hours and 33 minutes, you have the advantage of being able to complete the trip without needing to worry about overnight lodging. Use your one recommended stop to refuel or stretch your legs, as the turn-heavy nature of the drive can be more mentally taxing than a straight interstate cruise. Keep a close eye on your navigation during the non-highway portions, as the local roads require more frequent turns. Prioritizing a steady pace will help you manage the $19 fuel cost effectively while ensuring you arrive in Columbia feeling refreshed.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 61.9 miles from Affton, MO, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.7 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 27 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.9 miles or 1h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbia, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Affton, MO so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Affton, MO
This is one driving day of about 123.7 miles and 2h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Affton, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway for about 80.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.5 and 38.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.5 mi into trip|~9m in|I 270
Merge onto I 270
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
12.6 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12
Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Lo...
8
12.7 mi into trip|~19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Went...
5
13.2 mi into trip|~20m in|I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
38.7 mi into trip|~51m in|US 40
Take the exit onto US 40 toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.34 one way
$38.68 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$21.23
$42.47
premium
$4.89
$23.80
$47.61
diesel
$5.61
$27.31
$54.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.1
0
$12.99
$5.94
Efficient EV
30.9
0
$10.82
$4.95
EV Truck/SUV
49.5
0
$17.32
$7.92
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Affton, MO
Late night
in Affton on Sunday
Local time
2:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Columbia, MO
Late night
in Columbia on Sunday
Local time
2:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
11 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 33m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Gateway Arch National Park
National Park
Gateway Arch National Park commemorates President Jefferson’s vision of a continental nation, the individuals and cultural groups who helped shape its history, St. Louis’ role in westward expansion, a...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mix of driving environments as you navigate this route, which is best described as a turn-heavy local drive. While you will spend a portion of your time on the Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, Avenue of the Saints, and I-270, only 7% of the journey is spent on major highways. Your longest uninterrupted segment covers 80.7 miles on the Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, providing a brief period of steady cruising. The rest of the trip transitions into a more technical experience that requires your full attention. Be prepared for the personality of the road to shift as you move away from the busier metropolitan connectors and onto more localized paths.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.7 mi on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.5 miles in near I 270.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 123.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.5 miles (I 270): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Affton, MO to Columbia, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Louis along the way.
Columbia is a bustling college town in Missouri, halfway between St. Louis and Kansas City. It is home of the University of Missouri (also known as 'Mizzou') as well as two other post-secondary institutions Stephens College and Columbia College.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 33m. Total distance: 123.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.7 miles on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Columbia, MO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.5 miles (I 270): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Columbia, MO before heading back.
