Columbia, MO to Poplar Bluff, MO is 238.7 miles and takes about 5h 8m via US 63 and US 60, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest to Midwest trip stays within Missouri, offering a straightforward drive through familiar terrain. With most of the route on highways, it's a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground without extensive planning. Expect a relatively smooth transit, ideal for a single-day excursion.
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
119.3 miles from Columbia, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 63
88.6 mi
1h 48m
US 60
60.4 mi
1h 11m
South Main Street
54.4 mi
1h 15m
MO 72
24.3 mi
31m
North Westwood Boulevard
2.9 mi
4m
East Stadium Boulevard
2.2 mi
3m
MO 32
1.5 mi
2m
North Providence Road
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 63
— 88.6 mi, about 1h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, MO and Poplar Bluff, 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 EastUse 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
49 mi·1 hr 3 min·US 63
Toward US 63 South: RollaUse the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto North Walnut Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·North Walnut Street
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on East 18th Street
0.2 mi·38 sec·East 18th Street
13
Turn right onto Holloway Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Holloway Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
At end of road, turn left onto Salem Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Salem Avenue
15
Turn left onto MO 72
2.3 mi·3 min·MO 72
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on MO 72
22 mi·27 min·MO 72
Use the straight lane.
17
At end of road, turn left onto MO 32; MO 72
1.5 mi·2 min·MO 32; MO 72
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto MO 19
54 mi·1 hr 15 min·South Main Street
19
Turn left onto US 60
56 mi·1 hr 5 min·US 60
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
4.8 mi·6 min·US 60
21
Turn straight onto US 60 Business; US 67 Business
1.6 mi·2 min·North Westwood Boulevard
22
Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business
0.3 mi·25 sec·State Street
23
Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business
1.3 mi·2 min·North Westwood Boulevard
24
Turn left onto US 60 Business
0.8 mi·1 min·West Pine Street
25
Arrive at destination
US 60 Business
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time, starting your trip in Columbia, MO, before mid-morning should allow you to reach Poplar Bluff with plenty of daylight to spare. The route includes one recommended stop, so consider planning your break around the halfway point to refuel and stretch. With a fuel cost estimated at $42, it's a budget-friendly trip. The longest continuous stretch is 88.6 miles on US 63, so be sure to have entertainment ready for that segment.
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 119.3 miles from Columbia, MO, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.6 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 53 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.3 miles or 2h 34m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Poplar Bluff, 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 238.7 miles and 5h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 88.6 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 30.4 and 93.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
7
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. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 63 South: Rolla
6
92 mi into trip|~1h 54m in|North Walnut Street
Turn left onto North Walnut Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
93.9 mi into trip|~2h in|MO 72
Turn left onto MO 72
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.25 one way
$70.50 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$38.92
$77.83
premium
$4.72
$44.32
$88.64
diesel
$4.80
$45.07
$90.14
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: 83.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.6
0
$25.06
$11.46
Efficient EV
59.7
0
$20.89
$9.55
EV Truck/SUV
95.5
1
$33.42
$15.28
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Columbia, MO
Night
in Columbia on Saturday
Local time
11:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 9 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Poplar Bluff, MO
Night
in Poplar Bluff on Saturday
Local time
11:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 7 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
67°F
Houston, MO
119 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
2 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 8m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 73% of the 238.7 miles on faster roads. You'll encounter an 88.6-mile stretch on US 63 before transitioning to surface streets. Expect a consistent cruising pace for the majority of the trip, with fewer exits and more open road for extended periods.
73% 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: 88.6 mi on US 63.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 63 and US 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 30.4 miles in near US 63.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 238.7 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 30.4 miles (US 63): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.5 miles (US 63): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.6 miles (US 63): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 8m. Total distance: 238.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 88.6 miles on US 63. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 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 Poplar Bluff, 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 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 30.4 miles (US 63): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.5 miles (US 63): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.6 miles (US 63): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Poplar Bluff, MO before the return drive.
