Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Excelsior Springs, 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 21m

Distance

119.8 mi

193 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 12m ★
6 AM
2h 22m
8 AM
2h 41m
10 AM
2h 28m
12 PM
2h 26m
3 PM
2h 29m
5 PM
2h 40m
8 PM
2h 16m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in Clay County, Missouri, United States

Excelsior Springs, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 119.8-mile drive from Excelsior Springs, MO to Columbia, MO is an easy, one-day trip, taking just under two hours to complete. You'll navigate primarily via Isley Boulevard and MO 13 South, with no highway driving contributing to the route. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $18. Given its short duration and local road nature, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. The route stays within the Midwest region, offering a straightforward passage through Missouri.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

59.9 miles from Excelsior Springs, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway 54.4 mi 58m
South Spartan Drive 24.5 mi 30m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 21.6 mi 23m
Isley Boulevard 13.9 mi 20m
MO 10 2.6 mi 3m
North Providence Road 1.2 mi 2m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway 0.8 mi 1m
South Thompson Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway — 54.4 mi, about 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on South Thompson Avenue

105 ft · 6 sec · South Thompson Avenue
2

Turn left onto MO 10

14 mi · 20 min · Isley Boulevard
3

Turn left onto MO 10

2.6 mi · 3 min · MO 10
4

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward MO 13: Polo, Henrietta
5

Keep slight right at fork

157 ft · 4 sec
Toward MO 13 South: Henrietta
6

Merge onto MO 13

25 mi · 30 min · South Spartan Drive
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Columbia
8

Merge onto I 70; US 40

20 mi · 21 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
9

Continue on I 70; US 40

32 mi · 34 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

22 mi · 24 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
11

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
12

Continue on I 70; US 40

0.8 mi · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
13

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Exit 126 Toward MO 163: Downtown
14

Turn right onto MO 163

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Providence Road
15

Arrive at destination

MO 163

Trip Plan

Given this drive is only 119.8 miles and takes about 1 hour and 58 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility for when to depart. Leaving in the morning will get you to Columbia with plenty of daylight. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan your own brief breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $18, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. A specific tip for this route: be prepared for frequent turns as you transition between Isley Boulevard and MO 13 South, so having your GPS ready will be helpful.

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 59.9 miles from Excelsior Springs, MO, or about 1h 15m 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 26 miles or 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 59.9 miles or 1h 15m 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 56m

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 Excelsior Springs, 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 Excelsior Springs, MO

This is one driving day of about 119.8 miles and 2h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Excelsior Springs, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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.

Downtown Higginsville, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Higginsville, MO

60 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

Lexington, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sweet Springs, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 59.9 miles from Excelsior Springs, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Ventana Gourmet Grill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Excelsior Springs, Missouri

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 4–8:30 pm

+18166308600

Visit website

Cajun Crab House Seafood Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbia, Missouri

1.1 mi

Ventana Gourmet Grill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Excelsior Springs, Missouri

Hours: 4–8:30 pm

+18166308600

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 119.8

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 3–8 pm

+15732346277

Visit website

Pilot EV Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 94.1

Boonville, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16608829120

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 42.8

Higginsville, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16602071324

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 94.1

Boonville, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 119.8

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 119.8

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18337484267

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 119.8

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 119.8

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 119.8

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

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 13.9 and 118.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
13.9 mi into trip | ~20m in | MO 10

Turn left onto MO 10

Navigation decision point

5
16.6 mi into trip | ~23m in

Take the exit toward MO 13: Polo, Henrietta

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

Toward MO 13: Polo, Henrietta
5
16.9 mi into trip | ~24m in

Keep slight right at fork toward MO 13 South: Henrietta

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward MO 13 South: Henrietta
7
41.5 mi into trip | ~55m in

Take the exit toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Columbia

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

Toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Columbia
5
118.5 mi into trip | ~2h 18m in

Take the exit toward MO 163: Downtown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 126 Toward MO 163: Downtown

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.73 one way

$37.46 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $20.56 $41.13
premium $4.89 $23.05 $46.11
diesel $5.61 $26.45 $52.90

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 41.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 35.9 0 $12.58 $5.75
Efficient EV 30 0 $10.48 $4.79
EV Truck/SUV 47.9 0 $16.77 $7.67

Gas CO2

42 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (67% 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

Excelsior Springs, MO

Late night in Excelsior Springs on Sunday

Local time

2:35 AM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Columbia, MO

Late night in Columbia on Sunday

Local time

2:35 AM

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

20 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

2h 21m 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 turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 119.8-mile journey. With 0% highway share, you'll be on surface streets and state routes like MO 13 South for the full duration. There isn't a 'longest stretch' to highlight, as the character of the drive involves frequent turns and transitions rather than long, uninterrupted segments. This means you'll be actively steering and managing your speed more often, making it feel like a more engaging, though not necessarily scenic, experience.

Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
15 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?

6/10

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 13.9 miles in near MO 10.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 119.8 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 13.9 miles (MO 10): Navigation decision point; at 16.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Excelsior Springs, MO to Columbia, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Henrietta along the way.

Henrietta

16.6 mi in | ~23m

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 21m. Total distance: 119.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.

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.

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 Columbia, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 13.9 miles (MO 10): Navigation decision point; at 16.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Columbia, MO

Malden, MO 295.1 mi · 5h 45m Bloomfield, MO 264.7 mi · 5h 16m Sikeston, MO 255.4 mi · 4h 53m Shell Knob, MO 224 mi · 4h 34m

More from Excelsior Springs, MO

Cape Girardeau, MO 343 mi · 6h 39m Castle Point, MO 236.7 mi · 4h 43m Florissant, MO 232.8 mi · 4h 37m Chesterfield, MO 221.1 mi · 4h 22m O'Fallon, MO 210.5 mi · 4h 8m Joplin, MO 183.2 mi · 2h 51m

More trips to Columbia, MO

Bethany, MO 298.5 mi Lilbourn, MO 279 mi Campbell, MO 266.7 mi Seneca, MO 251.8 mi Advance, MO 250.1 mi Piedmont, MO 242.5 mi
Escape planner: Excelsior Springs, MO Scenic drives in MO

Explore more options from Excelsior Springs, MO or browse trips ending in Columbia, MO.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.