This 151.4-mile drive from Excelsior Springs, MO to Jefferson City, MO will take you about 2 hours and 26 minutes. It's a straightforward trip entirely within the Midwest region, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. With an estimated fuel cost of $23, it's an economical option for exploring Missouri. The route is characterized by frequent turns, so be prepared for a more engaged driving experience rather than a simple interstate cruise. This journey is well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination and have ample time for activities without needing an overnight stop.
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
75.5 miles from Excelsior Springs, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
US 63
28.5 mi
31m
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
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi
1m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.5 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 Jefferson City, 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
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.5 mi·1 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 128AToward US 63: Jefferson City, Moberly
15
Turn slight right
192 ft·4 sec
Toward US 63 South: Jefferson City
16
Merge onto US 63 Conn
521 ft·11 sec·US 63 Conn
Use the slight right lane.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward US 63 South: Jefferson CityUse the straight lane.
18
Merge onto US 63
27 mi·29 min·US 63
19
Take the exit onto US 63
1.3 mi·1 min·US 63
Toward US 54 West, US 63 South: Jefferson City
20
Take the exit
388 ft·18 sec
Toward State Capitol
21
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.6 mi·1 min·West Main Street
22
Turn right onto Broadway Street
446 ft·26 sec·Broadway Street
23
Turn left onto West High Street
0.2 mi·38 sec·West High Street
24
Turn right
254 ft·25 sec
25
At end of road, turn left onto East Wall Way
6 ft·0 sec·East Wall Way
26
Arrive at destination
East Wall Way
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 26 minute duration and the "turn-heavy" nature of this 151.4-mile route, you can easily complete this drive in one day. Consider departing in the morning to maximize your time at your destination in Jefferson City. Since there are no designated stops and the longest stretch is undefined, plan to fuel up before you leave Excelsior Springs to cover the estimated $23 fuel cost. Staying attentive to navigation will be key due to the frequent turns; a GPS or reliable map app is highly recommended to ensure a smooth transition between MO 13 South and other local roads.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 75.5 miles from Excelsior Springs, MO, or about 1h 32m 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 33 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.5 miles or 1h 32m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jefferson City, 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 151 miles and 2h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Excelsior Springs, 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 41.5 and 151 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
6
120.8 mi into trip|~2h 21m in
Take the exit toward US 63: Jefferson City, Moberly
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 128A
Toward US 63: Jefferson City, Moberly
7
121 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|US 63 Conn
Merge onto US 63 Conn
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
121.1 mi into trip|~2h 22m in
Take the exit toward US 63 South: Jefferson City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 63 South: Jefferson City
6
151 mi into trip|~2h 57m in|East Wall Way
At end of road, turn left onto East Wall Way
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.61 one way
$47.21 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$25.92
$51.84
premium
$4.89
$29.06
$58.12
diesel
$5.61
$33.34
$66.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.3
0
$15.85
$7.25
Efficient EV
37.8
0
$13.21
$6.04
EV Truck/SUV
60.4
0
$21.14
$9.66
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Excelsior Springs, MO
Night
in Excelsior Springs on Saturday
Local time
9:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jefferson City, MO
Night
in Jefferson City on Saturday
Local time
9:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Concordia, MO
76 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 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 57m 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?
Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" on this route, with no highway share to speak of. You'll primarily navigate using Isley Boulevard and MO 13 South. The absence of long highway stretches means you'll be constantly adjusting your course, so keep your eyes on the road and your navigation handy. While there's no "longest stretch" noted to indicate extended periods on a single road, the overall profile suggests a more dynamic and varied journey that keeps you connected to the local landscape.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 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?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 41.5 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 151 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 41.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121 miles (US 63 Conn): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Excelsior Springs, MO and Jefferson City, MO, road signs point toward Henrietta and Moberly.
Henrietta
16.6 mi in|~23m
Moberly
120.8 mi in|~2h 21m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 57m. Total distance: 151 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 57m 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 Jefferson City, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 41.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121 miles (US 63 Conn): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Jefferson City, MO before heading back.
