Columbia, MO to Kissee Mills, MO is 211.7 miles and takes about 4h 11m via US 54 and I-44, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, taking you from the Midwest region of Columbia to the less populated Ozarks area near Kissee Mills. With a high percentage of highway driving, it's a straightforward route for a single-day trip. Plan for a relatively efficient drive that gets you to your destination without extensive detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
105.8 miles from Columbia, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 54
52.7 mi
1h
I 44
46.4 mi
49m
US 63
32.1 mi
35m
MO 5
24 mi
29m
US 160
15.5 mi
23m
American Legion Memorial Highway
12.1 mi
13m
US Highway 65
12 mi
13m
Schoolcraft Freeway
11 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
US 54
— 52.7 mi, about 1h
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,701 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,019
Quietest
2 AM
~199 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, MO and Kissee Mills, 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
6.6 mi·8 min·US 63
Toward US 54 West, US 63 South: Jefferson City
6
Continue on US 54
53 mi·1 hr·US 54
Use the slight right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward MO 5 South, MO 7 South: Lebanon
8
Merge onto MO 5; MO 7
24 mi·29 min·MO 5; MO 7
9
Turn left onto MO 5; MO 64
1.6 mi·2 min·North Jefferson Avenue
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 44 West: Springfield
11
Merge onto I 44
46 mi·49 min·I 44
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Exit 82AToward US 65 South: Branson
13
Merge onto US 65
11 mi·13 min·Schoolcraft Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 65
11 mi·12 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
15
Continue on US 65
12 mi·13 min·US Highway 65
16
Continue on US 65
1.2 mi·1 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward US 160: Reed Springs Junction, Forsyth
18
Turn left onto US 160
4.3 mi·6 min·US 160
19
Turn slight left onto US 160; MO 176
7.2 mi·10 min·US 160; MO 176
20
Enter roundabout onto US 160; MO 76
122 ft·2 sec·US 160; MO 76
21
Continue on US 160; MO 76
76 ft·1 sec·US 160; MO 76
22
Turn straight onto US 160; MO 76
2.9 mi·4 min·US 160; MO 76
23
Continue on US 160
1.1 mi·1 min·US 160
24
Turn slight right onto MO O
97 ft·2 sec·MO O
25
Arrive at destination
MO O
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 11m estimated drive time, leaving Columbia, MO in the morning allows ample time to reach Kissee Mills, MO before evening. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to make it a quick fuel and stretch break or a more leisurely meal. The fuel cost is estimated at $33, so ensure your tank is sufficiently full before departing. Pay attention to the transition from highway to surface roads as you get closer to your destination, as this may involve more local traffic or lower speed limits.
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 105.8 miles from Columbia, MO, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.7 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 47 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.8 miles or 2h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kissee Mills, 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 211.7 miles and 4h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 54 for about 52.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 28.8 and 160.8 — 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
88.2 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Take the exit toward MO 5 South, MO 7 South: Lebanon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MO 5 South, MO 7 South: Lebanon
5
114 mi into trip|~2h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 44 West: Springfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 44 West: Springfield
5
160.5 mi into trip|~3h 5m in
Take the exit toward US 65 South: Branson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 82A
Toward US 65 South: Branson
5
160.8 mi into trip|~3h 6m in|US 65 / Schoolcraft Freeway
Merge onto US 65 / Schoolcraft Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.31 one way
$70.63 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$38.53
$77.06
premium
$5.25
$43.78
$87.56
diesel
$6.28
$52.31
$104.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.5
0
$22.23
$10.16
Efficient EV
52.9
0
$18.52
$8.47
EV Truck/SUV
84.7
1
$29.64
$13.55
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Columbia, MO
Morning
in Columbia on Thursday
Local time
7:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Sunny
S 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Kissee Mills, MO
Morning
in Kissee Mills on Thursday
Local time
7:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
SE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
67°F
Marshfield, MO
106 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
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
4h 11m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 167.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 92% of the drive on major roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 52.7 miles on US 54 before transitioning. Expect a consistent cruising experience for the majority of the trip. The final portion will involve some surface roads as you approach Kissee Mills.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.7 mi on US 54.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 54 and I 44. You will hit about 14 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 Effort5/10
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 211.7 miles you will encounter 14 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 88.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,492 ft606 ft
Total Climb
1,299 ft
Total Descent
1,020 ft
Highest Point
1,492 ft
~151.2 mi in
Elevation Range
886 ft
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 Kissee Mills, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Forsyth along the way.
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.
Top landmarks
•First Christian Church — historic church in Columbia, Missouri, United States
•Columbia Cemetery — cemetery in Columbia, Missouri, United States
•David Guitar House — historic house in Missouri, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 11m. Total distance: 211.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.7 miles on US 54. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 28.8 miles (US 63): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Kissee Mills, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
