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Trip from Milan, MO to Columbia, MO

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 39m

Distance

124.1 mi

200 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 32 min
4 AM
2h 29m ★
6 AM
2h 40m
8 AM
3h 1m
10 AM
2h 47m
12 PM
2h 45m
3 PM
2h 48m
5 PM
3h 0m
8 PM
2h 33m

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 Milan, MO, MO

Milan, MO

Dmitry Voronov

Trip Overview

This 127.6-mile journey from Milan, MO to Columbia, MO is an easy one-day trip, taking about 2 hours and 13 minutes to complete. You'll navigate primarily on local roads, with no highway driving involved, making it a more intimate and turn-heavy experience. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $19, which is quite budget-friendly. Given its relatively short distance and duration, it’s perfectly suited for a single day’s travel without the need for an overnight stay. Both Milan and Columbia are located within the Midwest region, so you'll experience consistent regional characteristics throughout your drive.

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

62.1 miles from Milan, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 63 81.4 mi 1h 31m
MO 5 18.8 mi 27m
MO 6 9.1 mi 13m
North Baltimore Street 5.1 mi 8m
MO 763 3.6 mi 6m
Potter Trail 1.6 mi 2m
North Providence Road 1.2 mi 2m
West Potter Avenue 1.1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: US 63 — 81.4 mi, about 1h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on MO E

0.4 mi · 51 sec · East 3rd Street
2

Turn left onto MO 5 Business

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Pearl Street
3

Turn right onto MO 5; MO 6

19 mi · 27 min · MO 5; MO 6
4

Continue on MO 6; MO 149

9.1 mi · 13 min · MO 6; MO 149
5

Turn right onto Potter Trail

1.6 mi · 2 min · Potter Trail
6

Continue on West Potter Avenue

1.1 mi · 1 min · West Potter Avenue
7

Turn right onto US 63 Bus; MO 6

5.1 mi · 8 min · North Baltimore Street
8

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 21 sec
Toward US 63 South: Macon
9

Merge onto US 63

81 mi · 1 hr 31 min · US 63
10

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 39 sec
Toward MO 763 South: Columbia
11

Turn straight onto MO 763

0.4 mi · 36 sec · MO 763
12

Enter roundabout onto MO 763

198 ft · 3 sec · MO 763
Toward MO 763 South: Columbia
13

Continue on MO 763

3.2 mi · 5 min · MO 763
Toward MO 763 South: Columbia
14

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
15

Merge onto I 70; US 40

0.2 mi · 13 sec · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
16

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Exit 126 Toward MO 163: Downtown
17

Turn left onto MO 163

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Providence Road
18

Arrive at destination

MO 163

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour and 13-minute duration, this trip from Milan to Columbia is ideal for a morning departure, allowing ample time to reach your destination without feeling rushed. With no major highway stretches, you can easily make short, flexible stops as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as local roads can sometimes have fewer services than interstates, though the estimated $19 fuel cost suggests it's not a major concern. A practical tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the main roads mentioned – North Pearl Street, Potter Trail, and West Potter Avenue – before you depart, as they form the core of your navigation through the local network.

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 62.1 miles from Milan, MO, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.4 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 27 miles or 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 62.1 miles or 1h 25m 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 10m

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 Milan, 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 Milan, MO

This is one driving day of about 124.1 miles and 2h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Milan, 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 US 63 for about 81.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown La Plata, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

La Plata, MO

62 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

Kirksville, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Macon, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 62.1 miles from Milan, 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 81.4 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Cafe Poland by Iwona

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbia, Missouri

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

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

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 5–8 pm

+17024270048

Visit website

Cafe Berlin

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+15734410400

Visit website

Cajun Crab House Seafood Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 3–8 pm

+15732346277

Visit website

Moberly Motors Electric Era EV Fast Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Moberly, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18884092980

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Moberly, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18337484267

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 122.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0.4 mi into trip | ~0m in | MO 5 Business / North Pearl Street

Turn left onto MO 5 Business / North Pearl Street

Navigation decision point

4
118.4 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in

Take the exit toward MO 763 South: Columbia

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward MO 763 South: Columbia
5
119.1 mi into trip | ~2h 30m in | MO 763

Enter roundabout onto MO 763 toward MO 763 South: Columbia

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Toward MO 763 South: Columbia
4
122.4 mi into trip | ~2h 36m in

Take the ramp toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
6
122.7 mi into trip | ~2h 36m 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

$19.40 one way

$38.80 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 43 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $21.30 $42.60
premium $4.89 $23.88 $47.76
diesel $5.61 $27.40 $54.80

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: 43.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 37.2 0 $13.03 $5.96
Efficient EV 31 0 $10.86 $4.96
EV Truck/SUV 49.6 0 $17.37 $7.94

Gas CO2

43 kg

EV CO2

15 kg (65% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Milan, MO

Late night in Milan on Tuesday

Local time

3:46 AM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Columbia, MO

Late night in Columbia on Tuesday

Local time

3:46 AM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

64°F

La Plata, MO

62 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

6 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 39m 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 127.6-mile route, as indicated by the 0% highway share. This means you won't encounter long stretches of high-speed interstate travel. Instead, the drive will be characterized by more frequent turns and varied road conditions as you transition through local areas. The absence of a longest uninterrupted stretch suggests a continuous engagement with the road, requiring your attention as you navigate through towns and countryside. This driving profile offers a more grounded experience, connecting you more directly with the landscape between Milan and Columbia.

91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.4 mi on US 63.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 63 and MO 5. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near MO 5 Business / North Pearl Street.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 39m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (MO 5 Business / North Pearl Street): Navigation decision point; at 118.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 119.1 miles (MO 763): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

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 39m. Total distance: 124.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 81.4 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 0.4 miles (MO 5 Business / North Pearl Street): Navigation decision point; at 118.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 119.1 miles (MO 763): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

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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