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Trip from Columbia, MO to Buckner, MO

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 6m

Distance

111.2 mi

179 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 57m ★
6 AM
2h 6m
8 AM
2h 24m
10 AM
2h 12m
12 PM
2h 11m
3 PM
2h 13m
5 PM
2h 23m
8 PM
2h 1m

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

Downtown Buckner, MO, MO

Buckner, MO

Valeria Boltneva

Trip Overview

This 111.2-mile journey from Columbia, MO to Buckner, MO is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 2 hours and 6 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a final stretch on South Buckner Tarsney Road. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $17, and with no designated stops in the data, you have plenty of flexibility. This drive stays within the Midwest region, offering a straightforward route for a quick getaway or a convenient transfer between these Missouri locations.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

55.6 miles from Columbia, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway 54.4 mi 58m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 46.6 mi 50m
South Buckner Tarsney Road 6.7 mi 10m
North Providence Road 1.2 mi 2m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway 0.8 mi 1m
South Sibley Street 0.8 mi 1m
North Main Street 0.3 mi <1m
US 40 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway — 54.4 mi, about 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on MO 163

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Providence Road
2

Turn left

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
3

Merge onto I 70; US 40

0.8 mi · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
4

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
5

Continue on I 70; US 40

54 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
6

Continue on I 70; US 40

45 mi · 47 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
7

Take the exit onto US 40

0.2 mi · 34 sec · US 40
Exit 24 Toward MO AA, US 40, MO BB: Grain Valley, Buckner
8

Turn right onto MO BB

0.3 mi · 39 sec · North Main Street
9

Continue on MO BB

6.7 mi · 10 min · South Buckner Tarsney Road
10

Continue on MO BB

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Sibley Street
11

Turn left onto Washington Street

346 ft · 15 sec · Washington Street
12

Arrive at destination

Washington Street

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short 2-hour duration and 111.2-mile distance, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. You can depart anytime that suits your schedule, with flexibility being a major advantage. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $17, and plan for potential stops for gas and refreshments as needed, especially during the longest stretch of 54.4 miles on the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. Since there are no mandated stops, you can tailor your breaks precisely to your comfort level.

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 55.6 miles from Columbia, MO, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.4 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 24 miles or 27m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 55.6 miles or 1h 1m 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 39m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buckner, MO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Columbia, 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 Columbia, MO

This is one driving day of about 111.2 miles and 2h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Columbia, 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 54.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Concordia, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Concordia, MO

56 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

Blackwater, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sweet Springs, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 55.6 miles from Columbia, 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 5

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 111.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
1.2 mi into trip | ~2m in

Turn left toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
3
1.4 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 70; US 40 / Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

Merge onto I 70; US 40 / Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining

6
103.2 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in | US 40

Take the exit onto US 40 toward MO AA, US 40, MO BB: Grain Valley, Buckner

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 24 Toward MO AA, US 40, MO BB: Grain Valley, Buckn...
4
103.4 mi into trip | ~1h 53m in | MO BB / North Main Street

Turn right onto MO BB / North Main Street

Navigation decision point

4
111.1 mi into trip | ~2h 5m in | Washington Street

Turn left onto Washington Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.38 one way

$34.77 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 39 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $19.09 $38.18
premium $4.89 $21.40 $42.80
diesel $5.61 $24.55 $49.10

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 38.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 33.4 0 $11.68 $5.34
Efficient EV 27.8 0 $9.73 $4.45
EV Truck/SUV 44.5 0 $15.57 $7.12

Gas CO2

39 kg

EV CO2

13 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 15, 2026

Origin

Columbia, MO

Night in Columbia on Saturday

Local time

11:15 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Buckner, MO

Night in Buckner on Saturday

Local time

11:15 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

73°F

Concordia, MO

56 mi in

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

19 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

2h 6m 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 turn-heavy local drive on this route, rather than an open highway experience, as indicated by a 0% highway share. While there's a significant uninterrupted stretch of 54.4 miles on the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, the overall profile suggests a more varied and potentially winding path. This means you'll likely be adjusting your speed and making more frequent turns as you progress from Columbia towards Buckner. The drive is characterized by its local feel, moving away from major interstates.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.4 mi on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

1/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Columbia, MO to Buckner, MO is easy. At 2h 6m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.4 miles (I 70; US 40 / Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 103.2 miles (US 40): 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.

On the drive from Columbia, MO to Buckner, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Mo Bb: Grain Valley along the way.

Mo Bb: Grain Valley

103.2 mi in | ~1h 52m | via US 40

About the Cities

Starting 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 2h 6m. Total distance: 111.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 54.4 miles on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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: at 1.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.4 miles (I 70; US 40 / Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 103.2 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Buckner, 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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Explore More

Return Trip

Buckner, MO to Columbia, MO

Plan the drive back the other way.

111.4 mi 2h 6m

Explore more options from Columbia, MO or browse trips ending in Buckner, MO.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.