Pierce City, MO to Columbia, MO is 216.3 miles and takes about 4h 15m via I 44 and US 54, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. The route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates and highways, so expect consistent travel speeds. This is a practical choice if you're looking to cover ground efficiently between these two points in the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
108.2 miles from Pierce City, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 44
90.2 mi
1h 37m
US 54
59.1 mi
1h 8m
US 63
26.1 mi
28m
MO 5
23.7 mi
29m
MO 97
6.5 mi
11m
Lindsey Boulevard
4.1 mi
7m
East Stadium Boulevard
2.3 mi
3m
South Jefferson Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 90.2 mi, about 1h 37m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,682 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,963
Quietest
2 AM
~197 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pierce City, MO and Columbia, MO.
1
Start on this road
77 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Myrtle Street
198 ft·13 sec·Myrtle Street
3
Turn left onto East Washington Avenue
506 ft·24 sec·East Washington Avenue
4
Turn right onto MO 97
0.5 mi·57 sec·North Elm Street
5
Turn right onto MO 97
0.2 mi·21 sec·East Madison Street
6
Turn left onto MO 97
4.1 mi·7 min·Lindsey Boulevard
7
Keep slight right at fork onto MO 97
4.5 mi·7 min·MO 97
8
At end of road, turn right onto MO 97
2.0 mi·3 min·MO 97
9
Turn left onto MO 97
322 ft·8 sec·MO 97
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 44 East: Springfield
11
Merge onto I 44
90 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 44
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 129Toward MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville
13
Turn left onto MO 5; MO 32; MO 64
1.6 mi·2 min·South Jefferson Avenue
14
Continue on MO 5
24 mi·29 min·MO 5
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 54: Camdenton, Nevada, Osage Beach, Jefferson City
16
Turn right onto US 54
31 mi·35 min·US 54
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn straight onto US 54
28 mi·32 min·US 54
18
Take the exit onto US 63
26 mi·28 min·US 63
Toward US 63 North: Columbia
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward MO 740
20
Turn left onto MO 740
2.3 mi·3 min·East Stadium Boulevard
21
Turn right onto MO 163
1.0 mi·2 min·South Providence Road
22
Arrive at destination
MO 163
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 216.3-mile drive, consider departing in the morning to allow plenty of daylight for your 4h 15m travel time. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $34, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. The longest stretch without an exit is 90.2 miles on I 44, so ensure you have enough fuel before entering that segment. Given the high highway percentage, keep an eye on your speed, especially as you transition onto US 54 and US 63 towards Columbia.
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 108.2 miles from Pierce City, MO, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.2 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 48 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.2 miles or 2h 7m 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 29m
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 Pierce City, 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 Pierce City, MO
This is one driving day of about 216.3 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Pierce City, 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 44 for about 90.2 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 127.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Myrtle Street
Turn left onto Myrtle Street
Navigation decision point
5
11.5 mi into trip|~20m in
Take the ramp toward I 44 East: Springfield
Navigation decision point
Toward I 44 East: Springfield
5
11.7 mi into trip|~21m in|I 44
Merge onto I 44
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
101.9 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 129
Toward MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville
5
127.4 mi into trip|~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward US 54: Camdenton, Nevada, Osage Beach, Jefferson City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 54: Camdenton, Nevada, Osage Beach, J...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.94 one way
$63.89 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$35.26
$70.53
premium
$4.72
$40.16
$80.32
diesel
$4.80
$40.84
$81.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.9
0
$22.71
$10.38
Efficient EV
54.1
0
$18.93
$8.65
EV Truck/SUV
86.5
1
$30.28
$13.84
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Pierce City, MO
Late night
in Pierce City on Sunday
Local time
5:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Columbia, MO
Late night
in Columbia on Sunday
Local time
5:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 8 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:51PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:26PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
90°F
Lebanon, MO
108 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 15m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 44.8
The young child known as the "Plant Doctor" tended his secret garden while observing the day-to-day operations of a 19th century farm. Nature and nurture ultimately influenced George on his quest for...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely highway, with 95% of the 216.3 miles on major roads like I 44. You'll encounter a long stretch of 90.2 miles on I 44 without needing to exit. The transition to surface roads will only occur for the final 5% of your trip, meaning you'll be cruising at highway speeds for the vast majority of the 4h 15m duration. Expect frequent exits on I 44 as you approach more populated areas.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.2 mi on I 44.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and US 54. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Myrtle Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 15m drive. You will face about 16 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Myrtle Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 11.7 miles (I 44): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,487 ft559 ft
Total Climb
732 ft
Total Descent
1,239 ft
Highest Point
1,487 ft
~61.8 mi in
Elevation Range
928 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Pierce City, MO and Columbia, MO, road signs point toward Nevada, Osage Beach and Jefferson City.
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.
Top landmarks
•First Christian Church — historic church in Columbia, Missouri, United States
•Columbia Cemetery — cemetery in Columbia, Missouri, United States
•David Guitar House — historic house in Missouri, United States
The longest stretch is about 90.2 miles on I 44. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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: near the start (Myrtle Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 11.7 miles (I 44): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Wilson's Creek National Battlefield and George Washington Carver National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Columbia, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
