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Trip from Columbia, MO to Cabool, 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 17m

Distance

155.5 mi

250 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
3h 6m ★
6 AM
3h 18m
8 AM
3h 41m
10 AM
3h 26m
12 PM
3h 24m
3 PM
3h 27m
5 PM
3h 40m
8 PM
3h 10m

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 Texas County, Missouri, United States

Cabool, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Columbia to Cabool covers 155.5 miles of Missouri countryside, typically taking about 3 hours and 17 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $24 on fuel, making this an affordable excursion within the Midwest. Your path primarily utilizes US 63, North Bishop Avenue, and MO A to navigate between these two points. Whether you are heading south for business or a visit, the trip is straightforward and manageable for most drivers. It serves as a reliable link through the heart of the state, connecting the Columbia area to the more southerly reaches of Missouri.

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

77.7 miles from Columbia, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 63 71.9 mi 1h 28m
North Bishop Avenue 64.3 mi 1h 20m
MO A 7.5 mi 10m
MO E 7.5 mi 10m
East Stadium Boulevard 2.2 mi 3m
North Providence Road 1 mi 2m
US 60 Business 0.5 mi <1m
Tim Bradley Way 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 63 — 71.9 mi, about 1h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on MO 163

1.0 mi · 2 min · North Providence Road
2

Turn left onto MO 740

2.2 mi · 3 min · East Stadium Boulevard
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward US 63 South: Jefferson City
4

Merge onto US 63

25 mi · 27 min · US 63
5

Take the exit onto US 63

1.5 mi · 2 min · US 63
Toward US 54 West, US 63 South: Jefferson City
6

Take the exit onto US 63

217 ft · 4 sec · US 63
Toward US 63 South, US 50
7

Keep slight left at fork onto US 63

0.1 mi · 16 sec · US 63
Toward US 63 South, US 50
8

Keep slight left at fork onto US 63

0.1 mi · 15 sec · US 63
Toward US 63 South, US 50 East Use the slight left lane.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto US 63

12 mi · 14 min · US 63
10

Keep slight right at fork onto US 63

33 mi · 43 min · US 63
Toward US 63 South: Rolla
11

Turn right onto MO A

7.5 mi · 10 min · MO A
12

Turn straight onto MO E

7.5 mi · 10 min · MO E
13

Enter roundabout onto MO E

62 ft · 1 sec · Tim Bradley Way
14

Continue on MO E

0.4 mi · 48 sec · Tim Bradley Way
Use the left lane.
15

Turn slight right onto I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63

30 ft · 0 sec · North Bishop Avenue
16

Keep slight right at fork onto I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63

145 ft · 2 sec · North Bishop Avenue
17

Continue on I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63

64 mi · 1 hr 20 min · North Bishop Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
18

Turn right onto US 60 Business

0.5 mi · 59 sec · US 60 Business
Use the right lane.
19

Turn right

120 ft · 8 sec
20

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For the best experience, plan your departure to avoid peak traffic times in Columbia, as this will help you maintain a consistent pace for the duration of the 3-hour and 17-minute drive. Since the trip involves only one planned stop, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs, especially since you are budgeting $24 for gas. The flexibility of this shorter route is a major advantage, allowing you to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule rather than needing to race against the sun. Keep a close eye on your navigation when transitioning from US 63 to the local MO A, as the shift from a major highway to a smaller road can happen quickly. Having your route mapped out before you leave ensures you stay on track throughout the entire 155.5-mile journey.

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 77.7 miles from Columbia, MO, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.9 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 34 miles or 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 77.7 miles or 1h 37m 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 42m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cabool, 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 155.5 miles and 3h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Columbia, 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 63 for about 71.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and county seat of Phelps County, Missouri, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rolla, MO

78 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

Jefferson City, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rolla, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 77.7 miles from Columbia, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 63 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.9 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 start, short detour

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

Hours: 3–8 pm

+15732346277

Visit website

Cajun Crab House Seafood Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

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

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 3–8 pm

+15732346277

Visit website

Universal EV Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 155.5

Cabool, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18663502738

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 88.9

Rolla, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18337484267

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 33.3

Jefferson City, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 28.8 and 42.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
28.8 mi into trip | ~33m in | US 63

Take the exit onto US 63 toward US 54 West, US 63 South: Jefferson City

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

Toward US 54 West, US 63 South: Jefferson City
5
30.3 mi into trip | ~35m in | US 63

Take the exit onto US 63 toward US 63 South, US 50

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

Toward US 63 South, US 50
7
30.4 mi into trip | ~35m in | US 63

Keep slight left at fork onto US 63 toward US 63 South, US 50

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 63 South, US 50
9
30.5 mi into trip | ~36m in | US 63

Keep slight left at fork onto US 63 toward US 63 South, US 50 East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward US 63 South, US 50 East
5
42.6 mi into trip | ~51m in | US 63

Keep slight right at fork onto US 63 toward US 63 South: Rolla

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 63 South: Rolla

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.31 one way

$48.62 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $26.69 $53.38
premium $4.89 $29.92 $59.85
diesel $5.61 $34.33 $68.66

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 54.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 46.7 0 $16.33 $7.46
Efficient EV 38.9 0 $13.61 $6.22
EV Truck/SUV 62.2 0 $21.77 $9.95

Gas CO2

54 kg

EV CO2

18 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

Late night in Columbia on Sunday

Local time

2:33 AM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cabool, MO

Late night in Cabool on Sunday

Local time

2:33 AM

CDT

Current temp

79°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

5 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 17m 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 mixed-drive route offers a blend of road types, with about 47% of your travel occurring on highways. You will spend the bulk of your time on US 63, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 71.9 miles that allows for steady cruising. As you transition from the main highway onto North Bishop Avenue and MO A, the driving experience shifts from high-speed transit to more localized travel. Expect the character of the road to change as you move away from the busier stretches and into the calmer, smaller-road segments. Staying focused during that long primary stretch is key to maintaining a smooth pace before you navigate the final turn onto state routes.

47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.9 mi on US 63.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 28.8 miles in near US 63.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 155.5 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 28.8 miles (US 63): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.3 miles (US 63): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.4 miles (US 63): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 3h 17m. Total distance: 155.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 71.9 miles on US 63. 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 Cabool, 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 28.8 miles (US 63): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.3 miles (US 63): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.4 miles (US 63): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Cabool, 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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Return Trip

Cabool, MO to Columbia, MO

Plan the drive back the other way.

156.3 mi 3h 19m

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