Origin
Columbia, MO
Late night in Columbia on Saturday
Local time
4:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbia, MO to Lake Winnebago, MO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 5, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 32m
Distance
129.5 mi
208 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 22m
★
6 AM
2h 32m
8 AM
2h 53m
10 AM
2h 39m
12 PM
2h 37m
3 PM
2h 40m
5 PM
2h 52m
8 PM
2h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Columbia, MO
Chris Duan
Lake Winnebago, MO
alex ohan
Trip Overview
Columbia, MO to Lake Winnebago, MO is 129.5 miles and takes about 2h 32m via U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway and Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, taking you from one Missouri locale to another. It's a fairly straightforward drive, predominantly on surface roads, making it a good option if you're looking for a less highway-intensive experience. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is easily manageable in a single day.
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
64.8 miles from Columbia, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway | 54.4 mi | 58m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 54.3 mi | 58m |
| MO 291 | 8.9 mi | 14m |
| I 470 | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| North Providence Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Lake Winnebago Drive | 0.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
— 54.4 mi, about 58m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,755 veh/hr typical · worst 3,187
Quietest
1 AM
~247 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 105 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 Lake Winnebago, 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
52 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
7
Continue on I 70
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 15A
Toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
Use the right lane.
9
Merge onto I 470; MO 291
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
I 470; MO 291
10
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 291
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
MO 291
Exit 10B
Toward MO 291 South: Harrisonville
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
11
Take the ramp onto MO 291
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
·
MO 291
Toward US 50 West, MO 291 South: Kansas City
12
Take the exit onto MO 291
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
MO 291
Toward MO 291 South: Jefferson Street, Harrisonville
13
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 291
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
MO 291
Toward MO 291 South: Harrisonville
14
Turn left onto Lake Winnebago Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Lake Winnebago Drive
15
Turn right onto Seneca Lane
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Seneca Lane
16
At end of road, turn left onto Lake Winnebago Drive
369 ft
·
20 sec
·
Lake Winnebago Drive
17
Turn right onto Mandan Lane
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
Mandan Lane
18
Continue on Iroquois Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Iroquois Drive
19
Continue on Lake Winnebago Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Lake Winnebago Drive
20
Turn left onto Mescalero
231 ft
·
10 sec
·
Mescalero
21
Arrive at destination
Mescalero
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 32m driving time, leaving Columbia, MO in the morning allows ample time to reach Lake Winnebago, MO, well before evening. The $20 fuel estimate suggests you won't need to stress about frequent fill-ups, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Plan for your single stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point, to break up the drive. Since most of the route is on surface roads, be mindful of local traffic and speed limits, especially as you approach your destination. The relatively short distance means you have flexibility; you could even depart later in the day if needed.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64.8 miles from Columbia, MO, or about 1h 11m 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 28 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.8 miles or 1h 11m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Winnebago, 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 129.5 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 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 U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway for about 54.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
65 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 64.8 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 128.5 — 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
8
112.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 15A
Toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
8
119.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
|
MO 291
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 291 toward MO 291 South: Harrisonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward MO 291 South: Harrisonville
6
122.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m in
|
MO 291
Take the ramp onto MO 291 toward US 50 West, MO 291 South: Kansas City
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 50 West, MO 291 South: Kansas City
6
128.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m in
|
Lake Winnebago Drive
At end of road, turn left onto Lake Winnebago Drive
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.08 one way
$40.16 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $22.02 | $44.03 |
| premium | $4.93 | $25.13 | $50.25 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $28.55 | $57.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.9 | 0 | $13.60 | $6.22 |
| Efficient EV | 32.4 | 0 | $11.33 | $5.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51.8 | 0 | $18.13 | $8.29 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Lake Winnebago, MO
Late night in Lake Winnebago on Saturday
Local time
4:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Oak Grove, MO
65 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
1 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
2h 32m 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 is mostly surface roads, with only about 12% on highways. You'll encounter the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for a stretch of 54.4 miles, which will feel like the most significant highway portion. After the highway sections, expect a significant shift to surface roads, which often means more traffic signals and varied speed limits. The transition from highway to surface roads will be noticeable as you navigate through more populated areas.
Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 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?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 129.5 miles you will encounter 13 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 1.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.1 miles (MO 291): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
996 ft
680 ft
Total Climb
497 ft
Total Descent
240 ft
Highest Point
996 ft
~120.3 mi in
Elevation Range
316 ft
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.
On the drive from Columbia, MO to Lake Winnebago, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Harrisonville along the way.
Harrisonville
123 mi in
|
~2h 18m
|
via MO 291
About the Cities
Starting in Columbia, MO
Full guide →Founded 1821
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
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 32m. Total distance: 129.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (12%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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 112.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.1 miles (MO 291): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lake Winnebago, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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