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Trip from Ironton, 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

3h 59m

Distance

172.4 mi

277 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 46m ★
6 AM
3h 59m
8 AM
4h 25m
10 AM
4h 8m
12 PM
4h 6m
3 PM
4h 10m
5 PM
4h 24m
8 PM
3h 51m

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 Ironton, MO, MO

Ironton, MO

Valeria Boltneva

Trip Overview

Ironton, MO to Columbia, MO is 172.4 miles and takes about 3h 59m via I 70, MO 47, and MO 21, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically crossing Missouri from the Ozarks region towards Central Missouri. Given its focused highway nature and manageable duration, this route is a straightforward drive for anyone looking to cover ground efficiently. You'll likely appreciate the simplicity of this drive, especially if you're aiming to reach your destination without extensive detours.

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

86.2 miles from Ironton, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 12m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 70 66.6 mi 1h 15m
MO 47 51.5 mi 1h 22m
MO 21 38.6 mi 56m
MO 30 6.2 mi 9m
North Main Street 6.2 mi 8m
North Providence Road 1.2 mi 2m
South Commercial Avenue 1 mi 1m
US 50 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 70 — 66.6 mi, about 1h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Russell Street

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Russell Street
2

At end of road, turn left onto MO 21

4.3 mi · 6 min · MO 21
3

Turn left onto MO 21; MO N

10 mi · 14 min · MO 21; MO N
4

Continue on MO 21; MO 32

20 mi · 29 min · MO 21; MO 32
5

Continue on MO 21; MO 47

3.7 mi · 5 min · MO 21; MO 47
6

Turn left onto MO 47

20 mi · 34 min · MO 47
7

At end of road, turn left onto MO 30; MO 47

6.2 mi · 9 min · MO 30; MO 47
8

Turn straight onto US Historic 66; MO 47

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Commercial Avenue
9

Turn left onto MO 47

6.2 mi · 8 min · North Main Street
10

At end of road, turn left onto US 50; MO 47

0.5 mi · 54 sec · US 50; MO 47
Use the straight lane.
11

Turn right onto MO 47

31 mi · 47 min · MO 47
Use the right lane.
12

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 12 sec
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia, Jonesburg
13

Merge onto I 70; US 40

67 mi · 1 hr 15 min · I 70; US 40
14

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Exit 126 Toward MO 163: Downtown
15

Turn left onto MO 163

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Providence Road
16

Arrive at destination

MO 163

Trip Plan

With a drive time under four hours and a fuel cost around $27, this is a perfect one-day trip. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive by lunchtime, leaving plenty of flexibility for your day. There's no need to split this drive, so focus on making one well-timed stop for fuel or a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition between MO 47 and I 70, as services might be more spaced out on the smaller state highways before you merge onto the interstate.

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 86.2 miles from Ironton, MO, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.6 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 38 miles or 55m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 86.2 miles or 2h 12m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 22m

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 Ironton, 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 Ironton, MO

This is one driving day of about 172.4 miles and 3h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Ironton, 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 I 70 for about 66.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Washington, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Washington, MO

86 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

Bonne Terre, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Washington, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 86.2 miles from Ironton, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.6 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

Cajun Crab House Seafood Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbia, Missouri

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 172.5

Hours: 3–8 pm

+15732346277

Visit website

Subway

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Pilot Knob, Missouri

1.6 mi

Cajun Crab House Seafood Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 172.5

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 3–8 pm

+15732346277

Visit website

Subway

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour Inexpensiv

Pilot Knob, Missouri

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+15735463156

Visit website

Flying J EV Charging Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 110.9

Warrenton, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16364562001

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 172.5

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 147.8

Kingdom City, Missouri

+15733106020

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 172.5

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 172.5

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 147.8

Kingdom City, 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 172.5

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 172.5

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 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 171 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | MO 21

At end of road, turn left onto MO 21

Navigation decision point

5
72.6 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in | US 50; MO 47

At end of road, turn left onto US 50; MO 47

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
73.1 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in | MO 47

Turn right onto MO 47

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
104.2 mi into trip | ~2h 40m in

Take the ramp toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia, Jonesburg

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia, Jonesbu...
5
171 mi into trip | ~3h 56m 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

$26.95 one way

$53.91 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 60 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $29.59 $59.19
premium $4.89 $33.18 $66.35
diesel $5.61 $38.06 $76.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 60.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 51.7 0 $18.10 $8.28
Efficient EV 43.1 0 $15.08 $6.90
EV Truck/SUV 69 0 $24.14 $11.03

Gas CO2

60 kg

EV CO2

20 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 17, 2026

Origin

Ironton, MO

Night in Ironton on Saturday

Local time

9:45 PM

CDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Columbia, MO

Night in Columbia on Saturday

Local time

9:45 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

74°F

Washington, MO

86 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

15 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

3h 59m 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?

This drive is overwhelmingly a highway-focused experience, with 95% of the journey utilizing major roadways. Expect long stretches of efficient travel, including a continuous 66.6 miles on I 70. While MO 21 and MO 47 will offer some variation, the primary character of this route is defined by its high-speed, direct connections. The road generally remains consistent, prioritizing speed and directness over winding scenic byways.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.6 mi on I 70.

How Hard Is This Drive?

2/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and MO 47. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near MO 21.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Ironton, MO to Columbia, MO is easy. At 3h 59m with 95% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (MO 21): Navigation decision point; at 72.6 miles (US 50; MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 73.1 miles (MO 47): 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.

On the drive from Ironton, MO to Columbia, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Jonesburg along the way.

Jonesburg

104.2 mi in | ~2h 40m

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 3h 59m. Total distance: 172.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 66.6 miles on I 70. 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 0.2 miles (MO 21): Navigation decision point; at 72.6 miles (US 50; MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 73.1 miles (MO 47): Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Columbia, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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