Trip from Bonne Terre, 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 24m

Distance

170 mi

274 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

3h 13m ★

6 AM

3h 25m

8 AM

3h 49m

10 AM

3h 33m

12 PM

3h 31m

3 PM

3h 34m

5 PM

3h 48m

8 PM

3h 17m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in St. Francois County, Missouri, United States

Bonne Terre, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 170 miles through the heart of Missouri, this trip between Bonne Terre and Columbia typically takes about 3 hours and 24 minutes behind the wheel. Because the duration is quite manageable, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $26 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. Navigating this path involves utilizing a mix of routes, including the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, the Avenue of the Saints, and US 67. Whether you are heading out for business or leisure, this Midwest transit offers a straightforward connection between these two Missouri hubs. It serves as an efficient way to cross the state while keeping your travel logistics simple and predictable.

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

85 miles from Bonne Terre, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m 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
US 67	23.1 mi	26m
I 55	20.5 mi	22m
I 270	11.5 mi	14m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway	2 mi	2m
Rosa Parks Highway	1.3 mi	1m
North Providence Road	1.2 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Dwight D Eisenhower Highway — 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bonne Terre, MO and Columbia, MO.

Start on MO E

12 ft · 6 sec · North Division Street

Turn left onto MO 47

0.3 mi · 31 sec · Park Avenue

Continue on MO 47

0.7 mi · 1 min · Benham Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Toward US 67 North: Saint Louis

Merge onto US 67

23 mi · 26 min · US 67

Keep slight right at fork onto US 67

0.3 mi · 27 sec · US 67

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 49 sec

Toward I 55 North: Saint Louis

Merge onto I 55

21 mi · 22 min · I 55

Continue on I 55

1.3 mi · 1 min · Rosa Parks Highway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Exit 196 Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

388 ft · 8 sec

Toward I 270 West: Kansas City Use the slight left lane.

Continue on this road

0.7 mi · 1 min · this road

Exit 196 Toward I 270 West

Merge onto I 270

11 mi · 14 min · I 270

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 17 sec

Exit 12 Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 48 sec

Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville Use the slight left lane.

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 9 sec · this road

Exit 12 Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville

Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61

25 mi · 30 min · Avenue of the Saints

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto US 40

0.6 mi · 1 min · US 40

Exit 1A Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 70; US 40

81 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

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

Continue on I 70; US 40

0.5 mi · 34 sec · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Exit 126 Toward MO 163: Downtown

Turn left onto MO 163

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Providence Road

Arrive at destination

MO 163

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your own preferences rather than worrying about strict timing. You should anticipate making at least one stop during the 170-mile trek, which is a great opportunity to stretch your legs and refresh before finishing the final leg of the trip. To maximize your efficiency, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic periods that could impact your travel time. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge throughout the journey, and consider topping off your tank before hitting the longest 80.7-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway to ensure a stress-free experience. Planning for a single, well-timed break will help you arrive in Columbia feeling energized rather than drained.

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 85 miles from Bonne Terre, MO, or about 1h 42m 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 37 miles or 43m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 85 miles or 1h 42m 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 46m

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 Bonne Terre, 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 Bonne Terre, MO

This is one driving day of about 170 miles and 3h 24m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Bonne Terre, 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.

city in St. Charles County, Missouri, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Weldon Spring, MO

85 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

Arnold, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wentzville, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 85 miles from Bonne Terre, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dwight D Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Cajun Crab House Seafood Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbia, Missouri

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 170

Hours: 3–8 pm

+15732346277

Visit website

Cajun Crab House Seafood Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 170

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 3–8 pm

+15732346277

Visit website

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 46.4 and 85 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

46.4 mi into trip | ~53m in

Take the exit toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago

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 196 Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chi...

46.6 mi into trip | ~54m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 West: Kansas City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 270 West: Kansas City

58.9 mi into trip | ~1h 10m 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...

59.1 mi into trip | ~1h 10m 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...

85 mi into trip | ~1h 42m 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

$26.58 one way

$53.16 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 60 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$29.18	$58.36
premium	$4.89	$32.71	$65.43
diesel	$5.61	$37.53	$75.07

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 59.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	51	$17.85	$8.16
Efficient EV	42.5	$14.87	$6.80
EV Truck/SUV	68	$23.80	$10.88

Gas CO2

59 kg

EV CO2

20 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.

Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Bonne Terre, MO

Late night in Bonne Terre on Sunday

Local time

2:52 AM

CDT

Current temp

82°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Columbia, MO

Late night in Columbia on Sunday

Local time

2:52 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

8 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 24m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a mixed driving experience that shifts between different road types as you make your way across Missouri. Roughly 33% of your journey will be spent on highways, providing a blend of steady cruising and local road navigation. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted segment while traveling 80.7 miles along the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which allows you to settle into a consistent rhythm. Outside of this main stretch, the road conditions vary, requiring you to remain alert as you transition between larger thoroughfares and smaller connectors. The character of the drive is balanced, offering enough variety to keep the trip engaging without becoming overly taxing on the driver.

33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

24 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?

10/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 46.4 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 170 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 46.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

Between Bonne Terre, MO and Columbia, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.

Chicago

46.4 mi in | ~53m

Saint Louis

58.9 mi in | ~1h 10m

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 24m. Total distance: 170 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile.

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.

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.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Bonne Terre, MO to Columbia, MO

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Cajun Crab House Seafood Restaurant

Cajun Crab House Seafood Restaurant

Tesla Destination Charger

Flying J EV Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

EVgo Charging Station

Rivian Adventure Network

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Bonne Terre, MO

Columbia, MO

Same local time

8 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 24m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in Columbia, MO

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Columbia, MO

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