This straightforward 87.4-mile drive from Crocker to Columbia, Missouri, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 51 minutes. With 96% of the journey on highways, it's a classic "highway-focused drive" designed for efficient travel. The estimated fuel cost is around $14, making it an economical option for a quick hop within the Midwest region. You'll spend most of your time on MO 17, US 63, and US 54, with the longest unbroken stretch covering 36.9 miles on MO 17. This route is ideal if you're looking for a direct and uncomplicated way to get between these two Missouri towns.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.7 miles from Crocker, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MO 17
36.9 mi
52m
US 63
26.1 mi
28m
US 54
20.8 mi
24m
East Stadium Boulevard
2.3 mi
3m
South Providence Road
1 mi
2m
North Providence Road
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
MO 17
— 36.9 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Crocker, MO and Columbia, MO.
1
Start on MO 17; MO 133
25 mi·35 min·MO 17; MO 133
2
Continue on MO 17; MO 52
359 ft·6 sec·MO 17; MO 52
3
At end of road, turn right onto MO 17
12 mi·16 min·MO 17
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward US 54 East: Jefferson City
5
Merge onto US 54
21 mi·24 min·US 54
6
Take the exit onto US 63
26 mi·28 min·US 63
Toward US 63 North: Columbia
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward MO 740
8
Turn left onto MO 740
2.3 mi·3 min·East Stadium Boulevard
9
Turn right onto MO 163
1.0 mi·2 min·South Providence Road
10
Arrive at destination
MO 163
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 51-minute duration for this 87.4-mile journey, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits your schedule. With only a 96% highway share, the longest stretch of 36.9 miles on MO 17 means you won't need to worry about extensive stretches without services. The estimated fuel cost of $14 is modest, so a full tank before departing Crocker should easily get you to Columbia. Since it's a relatively quick drive, consider making a brief stop for a stretch or refreshment midway, perhaps around the time you transition from MO 17 to US 63, to break up the drive comfortably.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 43.7 miles from Crocker, MO, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.9 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 19 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.7 miles or 1h 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbia, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Crocker, MO so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Crocker, MO
This is one driving day of about 87.4 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Crocker, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on MO 17 for about 36.9 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 5
5 decision points cluster between mile 25.1 and 83.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
25.1 mi into trip|~35m in|MO 17
At end of road, turn right onto MO 17
Navigation decision point
4
36.9 mi into trip|~52m in
Take the ramp toward US 54 East: Jefferson City
Navigation decision point
Toward US 54 East: Jefferson City
3
37.1 mi into trip|~52m in|US 54
Merge onto US 54
Merge point - match speed before joining
4
57.8 mi into trip|~1h 16m in|US 63
Take the exit onto US 63 toward US 63 North: Columbia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 63 North: Columbia
4
83.9 mi into trip|~1h 45m in
Take the exit toward MO 740
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward MO 740
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.66 one way
$27.33 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$15.00
$30.01
premium
$4.89
$16.82
$33.64
diesel
$5.61
$19.30
$38.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.2
0
$9.18
$4.20
Efficient EV
21.9
0
$7.65
$3.50
EV Truck/SUV
35
0
$12.24
$5.59
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Crocker, MO
Late night
in Crocker on Tuesday
Local time
3:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Columbia, MO
Late night
in Columbia on Tuesday
Local time
3:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny
SW 6 mph3% chanceLive forecast
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
13 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
1h 51m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-centric experience for the vast majority of this trip, with 96% of the route dedicated to faster roads. The drive begins with a significant segment on MO 17, featuring a notable 36.9-mile stretch without interruption. As you transition to US 63 and then US 54, the character remains predominantly highway, facilitating steady progress. This isn't a route that demands constant attention for sharp turns or slow-downs; rather, it's built for cruising and covering ground efficiently. You'll likely find the road conditions consistent and conducive to maintaining a good pace.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 36.9 mi on MO 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 17 and US 63. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 25.1 miles in near MO 17.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Crocker, MO to Columbia, MO is easy. At 1h 51m with 96% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 25.1 miles (MO 17): Navigation decision point; at 36.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 37.1 miles (US 54): Merge point - match speed before joining.
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.
The longest stretch is about 36.9 miles on MO 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 25.1 miles (MO 17): Navigation decision point; at 36.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 37.1 miles (US 54): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Columbia, MO before heading back.
