Origin
Columbia, MO
Night in Columbia on Saturday
Local time
11:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbia, MO to Flat River, 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 29m
Distance
174.8 mi
281 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 17m
★
6 AM
3h 30m
8 AM
3h 54m
10 AM
3h 38m
12 PM
3h 36m
3 PM
3h 40m
5 PM
3h 53m
8 PM
3h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Flat River, MO
Rahul Pandit
Trip Overview
Columbia, MO to Flat River, MO is 174.8 miles and takes about 3h 29m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and US 67, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest region, specifically crossing Missouri. Expect a local driving experience with frequent turns, rather than a straightforward interstate journey. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this route is ideal for a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time.
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
87.4 miles from Columbia, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 81 mi | 1h 35m |
| US 67 | 26.4 mi | 30m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 25.1 mi | 30m |
| Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway | 18.3 mi | 19m |
| I 270 | 11.5 mi | 14m |
| Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| North Desloge Drive | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 81 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, MO and Flat River, MO.
1
Start on MO 163
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Providence Road
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Saint Louis
3
Merge onto I 70; US 40
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
4
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
5
Continue on I 70; US 40
81 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
6
Take the exit onto US 40
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
US 40
Exit 210A
Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
7
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi
·
30 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 25
Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 270 South: Memphis
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 270
11 mi
·
14 min
·
I 270
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 1A
Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 55 South: Memphis
13
Merge onto I 55
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Rosa Parks Highway
14
Continue on I 55
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
15
Continue on I 55
18 mi
·
19 min
·
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 174B
Toward US 67 South: Farmington, Poplar Bluff
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
18
Enter roundabout onto US 67
30 ft
·
0 sec
·
US 67
19
Continue on US 67
26 mi
·
30 min
·
US 67
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward US 67 Business, MO 8: Desloge, Park Hills
21
Turn right onto US 67 Business; MO 8
350 ft
·
7 sec
·
US 67 Business; MO 8
22
Turn left onto US 67 Business; MO 8
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North Desloge Drive
23
Continue on US 67 Business
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Taylor Avenue
24
Continue on US 67 Business
380 ft
·
13 sec
·
Coffman Street
25
Turn left onto US 67 Business
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
West Main Street
26
Turn left onto Crane Street
306 ft
·
8 sec
·
Crane Street
27
Arrive at destination
Crane Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day trip of just under 3.5 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Flat River, MO, with daylight to spare. Plan for one stop to break up the 174.8 miles, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on the local road sections where services might be less frequent than on major interstates, and factor in the estimated $27 fuel cost for your budget.
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 87.4 miles from Columbia, MO, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81 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 38 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.4 miles or 1h 44m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Flat River, 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 174.8 miles and 3h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 81 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 87.4 miles from Columbia, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81 miles.
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 185 decision points cluster between mile 84.7 and 144.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
84.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
|
US 40
Take the exit onto US 40 toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 210A
Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Ches...
8
110.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
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 25
Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
7
110.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 270 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 270 South: Memphis
8
122.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis...
6
144.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m in
Take the exit toward US 67 South: Farmington, Poplar Bluff
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 174B
Toward US 67 South: Farmington, Poplar Bluff
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.33 one way
$54.66 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.01 | $60.01 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.64 | $67.28 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.59 | $77.19 |
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: 61.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.4 | 0 | $18.35 | $8.39 |
| Efficient EV | 43.7 | 0 | $15.30 | $6.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.9 | 0 | $24.47 | $11.19 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Destination
Flat River, MO
Night in Flat River on Saturday
Local time
11:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Chesterfield, MO
87 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
9 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 29m 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.
Gateway Arch National Park
National Park
Gateway Arch National Park commemorates President Jefferson’s vision of a continental nation, the individuals and cultural groups who helped shape its history, St. Louis’ role in westward expansion, a...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
$19
near mile 120.5
View on nps.gov
Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Established by 1750, Ste. Geneviève was the first permanent European settlement in Missouri. Early French Canadian settlers were drawn here by the rich agricultural land known as Le Grand Champ (the B...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 156.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll navigate a variety of road types. Only about 22% of the route is on highways, so prepare for more local roads and intersections. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 81 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. As you progress, the character of the drive will likely shift from more open highway to more involved local navigation as you approach your destination.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 84.7 miles in near US 40.
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 18 significant decision points across 174.8 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 84.7 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Columbia, MO and Flat River, MO, road signs point toward Memphis and Poplar Bluff.
Memphis
110.1 mi in
|
~2h 12m
Poplar Bluff
144.7 mi in
|
~2h 52m
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 29m. Total distance: 174.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 81 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 Flat River, 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 84.7 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park and Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Flat River, 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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