Traveling from Columbia to Malden covers 295.1 miles through the heart of Missouri. You should plan for about 5 hours and 45 minutes of total drive time, making this a manageable single-day trip. Budget approximately $45 for fuel to cover the distance across the Midwest. The route utilizes key corridors like the Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, and the Avenue of the Saints. Since the entire journey stays within Missouri, you will experience a consistent regional feel while transitioning between different local landscapes.
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
147.5 miles from Columbia, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
126.7 mi
2h 15m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
81 mi
1h 35m
Avenue of the Saints
25.1 mi
30m
US 60
22.6 mi
26m
US 60 Business
16.3 mi
24m
I 270
11.5 mi
14m
North Douglas Street
2.3 mi
4m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
— 126.7 mi, about 2h 15m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,340 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,883
Quietest
1 AM
~235 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Malden, 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 210AToward 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 25Toward I 270: Chicago, MemphisUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward I 270 South: MemphisUse 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 1AToward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry RoadUse 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
127 mi·2 hr 15 min·Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 66BToward US 60 West: Dexter, Poplar Bluff
17
Merge onto US 60
23 mi·26 min·US 60
18
Take the exit onto US 60 Business
0.3 mi·40 sec·US 60 Business
Toward MO 25, US 60 Business: Dexter, Bloomfield
19
Turn left onto US 60 Business; MO 25
16 mi·23 min·US 60 Business; MO 25
20
Continue on MO 25 Business
2.3 mi·4 min·North Douglas Street
21
Turn left onto MO 25 Business
0.2 mi·28 sec·West Main Street
22
Turn right onto MO 25 Business
442 ft·10 sec·South Madison Street
23
Turn right onto West Laclede Street
63 ft·2 sec·West Laclede Street
24
Arrive at destination
West Laclede Street
Trip Plan
Given the nearly six-hour duration, depart early to ensure you reach Malden before nightfall. You only need one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, which keeps your momentum steady throughout the day. Because the route relies heavily on local roads, keep a close eye on your GPS to navigate the frequent turns effectively. Since your fuel budget is roughly $45, try to fill up before hitting the more rural stretches to avoid unexpected price spikes. Staying flexible with your timing is a major advantage here, allowing you to bypass potential traffic congestion during peak hours.
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 147.5 miles from Columbia, MO, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 126.7 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 65 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.5 miles or 2h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Malden, 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 295.1 miles and 5h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 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 Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway for about 126.7 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 84.7 and 253 — 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
253 mi into trip|~4h 49m in
Take the exit toward US 60 West: Dexter, Poplar Bluff
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 66B
Toward US 60 West: Dexter, Poplar Bluff
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.58 one way
$87.16 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$48.11
$96.22
premium
$4.72
$54.79
$109.58
diesel
$4.80
$55.72
$111.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.5
1
$30.99
$14.16
Efficient EV
73.8
0
$25.82
$11.80
EV Truck/SUV
118
1
$41.31
$18.89
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Columbia, MO
Morning
in Columbia on Sunday
Local time
9:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 8 to 12 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Malden, MO
Morning
in Malden on Sunday
Local time
9:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
W 7 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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
5h 45m 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.
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...
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
$19
near mile 122.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a turn-heavy local profile that requires your full attention behind the wheel. While about 17% of the route consists of highway driving, the remainder navigates more intricate local roads. You will spend your longest uninterrupted segment on the Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, covering 126.7 miles. Expect the road's personality to shift as you move away from the major highway stretches and transition into more technical, winding local sections. It is a drive that rewards drivers who prefer staying engaged with the road rather than settling into a monotonous interstate cruise.
Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 126.7 mi on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 Effort9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 295.1 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
893 ft291 ft
Total Climb
756 ft
Total Descent
1,172 ft
Highest Point
893 ft
~63.2 mi in
Elevation Range
602 ft
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 Malden, MO, road signs point toward Memphis, Poplar Bluff and Bloomfield.
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 5h 45m. Total distance: 295.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 126.7 miles on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 22 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.
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 Malden, 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. There are 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 — Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park and Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Malden, MO before the return drive.
