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Trip from Cole Camp, MO to Columbia, MO

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 45m

Distance

88.9 mi

143 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 38m ★
6 AM
1h 46m
8 AM
2h 2m
10 AM
1h 51m
12 PM
1h 50m
3 PM
1h 52m
5 PM
2h 1m
8 PM
1h 41m

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

Downtown Cole Camp, MO, MO

Cole Camp, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 88.9-mile drive from Cole Camp, MO to Columbia, MO is a straightforward, one-day trip that should take about 1 hour and 45 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, it's an economical journey through the Midwest. The route primarily uses U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway and US 65, offering a mixed driving experience. Since it's a relatively short distance, you won't need to worry about overnight stays, allowing for a flexible schedule. This trip is ideal for a quick transit or a leisurely exploration of central Missouri.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

44.5 miles from Cole Camp, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway 45.3 mi 48m
US 65 29 mi 36m
MO 52 6.3 mi 7m
State Highway 52 3 mi 3m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 1.8 mi 2m
North Providence Road 1.2 mi 2m
East Main Street 1 mi 2m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway — 45.3 mi, about 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cole Camp, MO and Columbia, MO.

1

Start on South Maple Street

76 ft · 8 sec · South Maple Street
2

Turn left onto MO 52

1.0 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
3

Continue on MO 52

3.0 mi · 3 min · State Highway 52
4

Take the ramp onto MO 52

6.3 mi · 7 min · MO 52
Toward US 65 North, MO 52 Wesy: Sedalia
5

Continue on US 65

29 mi · 36 min · US 65
6

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 39 sec
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
7

Merge onto I 70; US 40

23 mi · 24 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

22 mi · 24 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
9

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
10

Continue on I 70; US 40

0.8 mi · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
11

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Exit 126 Toward MO 163: Downtown
12

Turn right onto MO 163

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Providence Road
13

Arrive at destination

MO 163

Trip Plan

For this 1 hour and 45-minute journey, leaving in the morning is your best bet, allowing ample time for any unscheduled stops. With only 88.9 miles, pacing is easy, and you can afford to be flexible. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated $14 cost covers the entire trip, but it's always wise to top off before departing Cole Camp. A specific tip for this route: consider which direction you're traveling on US 65, as it can be a busier highway, especially during peak hours.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 44.5 miles from Cole Camp, MO, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.3 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 20 miles or 26m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 44.5 miles or 56m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 29m

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 Cole Camp, MO so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Cole Camp, MO

This is one driving day of about 88.9 miles and 1h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Cole Camp, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway for about 45.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Napton, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Napton, MO

44 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

Sedalia, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Blackwater, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 44.5 miles from Cole Camp, 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 6

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 87.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

3
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | MO 52 / East Main Street

Turn left onto MO 52 / East Main Street

Navigation decision point

6
4 mi into trip | ~6m in | MO 52

Take the ramp onto MO 52 toward US 65 North, MO 52 Wesy: Sedalia

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 65 North, MO 52 Wesy: Sedalia
4
39.4 mi into trip | ~50m in

Take the exit toward I 70 East: Saint Louis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
4
62.6 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in | I 70 / U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 / U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
87.6 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in

Take the exit toward MO 163: Downtown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 126 Toward MO 163: Downtown

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.90 one way

$27.80 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 31 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $15.26 $30.52
premium $4.89 $17.11 $34.22
diesel $5.61 $19.63 $39.26

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 31.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 26.7 0 $9.33 $4.27
Efficient EV 22.2 0 $7.78 $3.56
EV Truck/SUV 35.6 0 $12.45 $5.69

Gas CO2

31 kg

EV CO2

10 kg (68% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Cole Camp, MO

Late night in Cole Camp on Tuesday

Local time

4:17 AM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Columbia, MO

Late night in Columbia on Tuesday

Local time

4:17 AM

CDT

Current temp

69°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

3 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

1h 45m 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?

This drive features a 43% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on faster roads, but also encounter more local routes. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 45.3 miles on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, offering a chance to settle in. Expect a mixed drive profile; it’s not a constant interstate grind, nor is it a purely rural, winding road. The route transitions between these characteristics, providing a varied driving experience as you make your way from southwest to central Missouri.

43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.3 mi on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

2/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MO 52 / East Main Street.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Cole Camp, MO to Columbia, MO is easy. At 1h 45m with 43% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (MO 52 / East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 4 miles (MO 52): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

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 1h 45m. Total distance: 88.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (43%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 45.3 miles on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (MO 52 / East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 4 miles (MO 52): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Columbia, MO before heading back.

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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