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Trip from Cuba, MO to Columbia, MO

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 15m

Distance

107.2 mi

173 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 6m ★
6 AM
2h 16m
8 AM
2h 34m
10 AM
2h 22m
12 PM
2h 20m
3 PM
2h 23m
5 PM
2h 34m
8 PM
2h 10m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Cuba, MO, MO

Cuba, MO

Eduardo Valdes

Trip Overview

This 107.2-mile drive from Cuba, Missouri, to Columbia, Missouri, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. Primarily following US 63 and I-44, with a short section on North Jefferson Street, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Midwest. With a projected fuel cost of around $17, it's an economical option for a quick getaway or transit. The drive is largely highway-focused, making it efficient for getting from point A to point B without extensive detours. Consider this a practical choice when you need to cover ground reliably within Missouri.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

53.6 miles from Cuba, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 63 76.5 mi 1h 33m
I 44 12.3 mi 13m
North Jefferson Street 12.2 mi 18m
East Stadium Boulevard 2.3 mi 3m
US 54 1.4 mi 1m
South Providence Road 1 mi 2m
North Franklin Street 0.8 mi 1m
North Providence Road — —

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: US 63 — 76.5 mi, about 1h 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cuba, MO and Columbia, MO.

1

Start on MO 19

0.8 mi · 1 min · North Franklin Street
2

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward I 44 West: Rolla
3

Merge onto I 44

12 mi · 13 min · I 44
4

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 195 Toward MO 8, MO 68: Saint James
5

Turn right onto US Historic 66; MO 68

12 mi · 18 min · North Jefferson Street
6

At end of road, turn right onto US 63

50 mi · 1 hr 4 min · US 63
7

Take the exit onto US 63

0.3 mi · 40 sec · US 63
Toward US 54 East, US 63 North: Fulton, Columbia
8

Merge onto US 54; US 63

1.4 mi · 1 min · US 54; US 63
9

Take the exit onto US 63

26 mi · 28 min · US 63
Toward US 63 North: Columbia
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec
Toward MO 740
11

Turn left onto MO 740

2.3 mi · 3 min · East Stadium Boulevard
12

Turn right onto MO 163

1.0 mi · 2 min · South Providence Road
13

Arrive at destination

MO 163

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour, 15-minute duration, this drive is perfect for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave Cuba, MO, mid-morning to avoid early rush and arrive in Columbia with ample daylight. With no designated stops in the data, plan your own breaks as needed, especially during the longest 76.5-mile stretch on US 63. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $17, and gas stations are less frequent on the highway portions. Taking advantage of the short distance means you can afford to be spontaneous with rest stops or a quick meal.

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 53.6 miles from Cuba, MO, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.5 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 24 miles or 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 53.6 miles or 1h 9m 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 51m

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 Cuba, 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 Cuba, MO

This is one driving day of about 107.2 miles and 2h 15m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Cuba, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 63 for about 76.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Maries and Osage counties in Missouri, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Belle, MO

54 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

Belle, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Belle, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 53.6 miles from Cuba, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 63 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Cafe Poland by Iwona

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbia, Missouri

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 107.2

Hours: 5–8 pm

+17024270048

Visit website

Cafe Berlin

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbia, Missouri

0.5 mi

Cajun Crab House Seafood Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbia, Missouri

1.1 mi

Cafe Poland by Iwona

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 107.2

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 5–8 pm

+17024270048

Visit website

Cafe Berlin

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 107.2

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+15734410400

Visit website

Cajun Crab House Seafood Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 107.2

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 3–8 pm

+15732346277

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 76.6

Jefferson City, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 107.2

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 107.2

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18337484267

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 76.6

Jefferson City, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 107.2

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 107.2

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 107.2

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 76.6

Jefferson City, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

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 0.8 and 77.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.8 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp toward I 44 West: Rolla

Navigation decision point

Toward I 44 West: Rolla
6
13.3 mi into trip | ~14m in

Take the exit toward MO 8, MO 68: Saint James

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 195 Toward MO 8, MO 68: Saint James
4
25.7 mi into trip | ~33m in | US 63

At end of road, turn right onto US 63

Navigation decision point

5
75.9 mi into trip | ~1h 38m in | US 63

Take the exit onto US 63 toward US 54 East, US 63 North: Fulton, Columbia

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 54 East, US 63 North: Fulton, Columbi...
4
77.6 mi into trip | ~1h 40m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.76 one way

$33.52 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 38 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $18.40 $36.80
premium $4.89 $20.63 $41.26
diesel $5.61 $23.67 $47.34

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 37.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 32.2 0 $11.26 $5.15
Efficient EV 26.8 0 $9.38 $4.29
EV Truck/SUV 42.9 0 $15.01 $6.86

Gas CO2

38 kg

EV CO2

13 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

Cuba, MO

Night in Cuba on Saturday

Local time

11:16 PM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Columbia, MO

Night in Columbia on Saturday

Local time

11:16 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live 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

1 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

2h 15m 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?

Expect a highway-focused experience for 84% of this 107.2-mile route. The majority of your time will be spent on the efficient paths of US 63 and I-44. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 76.5 miles on US 63, indicating long periods of consistent driving. While primarily highway, the inclusion of North Jefferson Street suggests a brief transition into a more local road setting as you approach your destination. This drive prioritizes steady progress over winding scenic byways, offering a predictable on-the-road feel.

84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.5 mi on US 63.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 63 and I 44. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 15m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.7 miles (US 63): Navigation decision point.

About the Cities

Arriving in Columbia, MO

Full guide →

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.

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 15m. Total distance: 107.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (84%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 76.5 miles on US 63. 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 0.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.7 miles (US 63): Navigation decision point.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Columbia, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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