Columbia, MO to Weston, MO is 161.4 miles and takes about 3h 2m via U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway and Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, taking you from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Expect a drive with a fair number of turns, suggesting it's not a straight shot on a single highway for the entire journey. With a recommended one-day trip, you'll have ample time to reach your destination without needing to plan for an overnight stay.
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
80.7 miles from Columbia, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 28m 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
I 435
20.9 mi
22m
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
7.8 mi
9m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
5.6 mi
6m
273 Highway
4.7 mi
6m
I 29
3.8 mi
4m
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
— 54.4 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, MO and Weston, 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
Exit 8BToward I 435 North, US 24 East: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 435; US 24
7.8 mi·9 min·Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
13
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi·1 min·I435 N
14
Continue on I 435
21 mi·22 min·I 435
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71
3.8 mi·4 min·I 29; US 71
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 20Toward MO 273 North: Tracy, WestonUse the right lane.
17
Turn left onto MO 273; MO 371
0.7 mi·1 min·273 Highway
18
Continue on MO 273
4.0 mi·5 min·273 Highway
19
Continue on MO JJ
1.5 mi·2 min·JJ Highway
20
Continue on MO JJ
0.8 mi·2 min·Walnut Street
21
At end of road, turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi·42 sec·Main Street
22
Turn left onto Thomas Street
33 ft·1 sec·Thomas Street
23
Arrive at destination
Thomas Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a manageable 161.4-mile drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Plan to leave mid-morning to allow for a relaxed start and arrive in Weston with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, consider making it a refueling and stretch break around the halfway point, especially since the longest stretch is over 50 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition between the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and local roads, as fuel availability might vary more on the latter.
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 80.7 miles from Columbia, MO, or about 1h 28m 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 36 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.7 miles or 1h 28m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Weston, 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 161.4 miles and 3h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 161.2 — 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
119.1 mi into trip|~2h 10m in
Take the exit toward I 435 North, US 24 East: Des Moines
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 8B
Toward I 435 North, US 24 East: Des Moines
6
150.2 mi into trip|~2h 46m in|I 29; US 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71 toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
8
154 mi into trip|~2h 50m in
Take the exit toward MO 273 North: Tracy, Weston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 20
Toward MO 273 North: Tracy, Weston
5
161.2 mi into trip|~3h 2m in|Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.23 one way
$50.47 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$27.70
$55.41
premium
$4.89
$31.06
$62.12
diesel
$5.61
$35.64
$71.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.4
0
$16.95
$7.75
Efficient EV
40.4
0
$14.12
$6.46
EV Truck/SUV
64.6
0
$22.60
$10.33
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Columbia, MO
Late night
in Columbia on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Weston, MO
Late night
in Weston on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Oak Grove, MO
81 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
20 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 2m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a turn-heavy local drive, with only 16% of the journey on major highways like I 435. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 54.4 miles on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, providing a solid segment of consistent travel. As you progress, anticipate a dynamic driving experience that balances quicker highway sections with more winding local roads. This blend means you'll be actively navigating for a good portion of the 3h 2m trip.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 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 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in.
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 161.4 miles you will encounter 9 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 119.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 150.2 miles (I 29; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 2m. Total distance: 161.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (16%). 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.
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.
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 119.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 150.2 miles (I 29; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Weston, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
