Origin
Billings, MO
Late night in Billings on Sunday
Local time
12:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Billings, MO to Columbia, MO
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 40m
Distance
185.9 mi
299 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 27m
★
6 AM
3h 40m
8 AM
4h 5m
10 AM
3h 49m
12 PM
3h 46m
3 PM
3h 50m
5 PM
4h 4m
8 PM
3h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Billings, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking on a journey from Billings, MO to Columbia, MO covers 186.9 miles and typically takes around 3 hours and 6 minutes of driving time. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. With an estimated fuel cost of $28, it's an economical choice for a Midwest excursion. The drive involves a mix of local roads and highway travel, offering a varied experience. You'll find one recommended stop along the way, providing a good opportunity to stretch your legs and break up the journey.
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
93 miles from Billings, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 54 | 59.1 mi | 1h 8m |
| Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway | 58.5 mi | 1h 3m |
| US 63 | 26.1 mi | 28m |
| MO 5 | 23.7 mi | 29m |
| Northeast Elm Street | 8.9 mi | 13m |
| MO MM | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| East Stadium Boulevard | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| South Jefferson Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 54
— 59.1 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Billings, MO and Columbia, MO.
1
Start on this road
140 ft
·
12 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto MO 14
199 ft
·
5 sec
·
Northwest Jefferson Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 60; MO 413
8.9 mi
·
13 min
·
Northeast Elm Street
4
Turn left onto MO MM
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
MO MM
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 44 East: Springfield
6
Merge onto I 44
59 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 129
Toward MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville
8
Turn left onto MO 5; MO 32; MO 64
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Jefferson Avenue
9
Continue on MO 5
24 mi
·
29 min
·
MO 5
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward US 54: Camdenton, Nevada, Osage Beach, Jefferson City
11
Turn right onto US 54
31 mi
·
35 min
·
US 54
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto US 54
28 mi
·
32 min
·
US 54
13
Take the exit onto US 63
26 mi
·
28 min
·
US 63
Toward US 63 North: Columbia
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Toward MO 740
15
Turn left onto MO 740
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
East Stadium Boulevard
16
Turn right onto MO 163
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Providence Road
17
Arrive at destination
MO 163
Trip Plan
For this 186.9-mile drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and take advantage of potentially lighter traffic. Given the 3-hour duration and the 'turn-heavy' nature, planning for your single stop is key to a comfortable pace. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you navigate local roads where stations might be less frequent than on interstates. The $28 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting. A good tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the main roads, Northwest Jefferson Avenue and Northeast Elm Street, before you begin, as they form a significant part of your initial navigation.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 93 miles from Billings, MO, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.1 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 41 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93 miles or 1h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h
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 Billings, 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 Billings, MO
This is one driving day of about 185.9 miles and 3h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Billings, 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 US 54 for about 59.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 93 miles from Billings, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 97.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
MO 14 / Northwest Jefferson Avenue
Turn right onto MO 14 / Northwest Jefferson Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
13 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
I 44 / Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway
Merge onto I 44 / Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
71.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 129
Toward MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville
5
97 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward US 54: Camdenton, Nevada, Osage Beach, Jefferson City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 54: Camdenton, Nevada, Osage Beach, J...
5
97.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
|
US 54
Turn right onto US 54
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.06 one way
$58.13 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $31.91 | $63.82 |
| premium | $4.89 | $35.77 | $71.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.04 | $82.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.8 | 0 | $19.52 | $8.92 |
| Efficient EV | 46.5 | 0 | $16.27 | $7.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.4 | 0 | $26.03 | $11.90 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Columbia, MO
Late night in Columbia on Sunday
Local time
12:59 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
1 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
3h 40m 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.
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...
3 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 6.4
Caution: BE AWARE OF HIGH-WATER DANGER
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' suggesting you'll encounter numerous intersections and changes in direction rather than long stretches of uninterrupted highway. With 0% highway share, expect a more engaged driving experience focused on navigating local roads. While a longest stretch is not specified, the 'turn-heavy' profile implies frequent adjustments. The route progresses through familiar Midwest landscapes, with the driving experience evolving as you transition between different local road networks.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.1 mi on US 54.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 54 and Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MO 14 / Northwest Jefferson Avenue.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 40m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MO 14 / Northwest Jefferson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 13 miles (I 44 / Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Billings, MO and Columbia, MO, road signs point toward Nevada, Osage Beach and Jefferson City.
Nevada
97 mi in
|
~1h 56m
Osage Beach
97 mi in
|
~1h 56m
Jefferson City
97 mi in
|
~1h 56m
About the Cities
Arriving in Columbia, MO
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 40m. Total distance: 185.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.1 miles on US 54. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MO 14 / Northwest Jefferson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 13 miles (I 44 / Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Columbia, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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