If you are planning a trip from Riverside to Columbia, Missouri, expect a journey covering 133.1 miles that typically takes about 2 hours and 8 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Budgeting around $20 for fuel should be sufficient to cover your transit between these two Midwestern locales. Navigating this path requires you to stick to local roads like Northwest Gateway Avenue, US 69 North, and Northwest Vivion Road rather than relying on major interstates. It is a straightforward, manageable drive that connects the outskirts of the Kansas City area to the heart of mid-Missouri without unnecessary complications.
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
66.3 miles from Riverside, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
54.3 mi
58m
George Brett Super Highway
8.1 mi
11m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
5.6 mi
6m
US 169
3.5 mi
5m
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi
2m
North Providence Road
1.2 mi
2m
Northwest Platte Road
0.9 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 Riverside, MO and Columbia, MO.
1
Start on this road
154 ft·12 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn uturn onto US 69
115 ft·8 sec·Northwest Gateway Avenue
3
Turn straight onto US 69
310 ft·12 sec·US 69
Toward US 69 North
4
Turn sharp left onto US 69
157 ft·6 sec·Northwest Vivion Road
5
Turn left onto US 69
0.4 mi·48 sec·Northwest Gateway Avenue
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on US 69
0.9 mi·1 min·Northwest Platte Road
7
Enter roundabout onto Northwest Briarcliff Parkway
60 ft·1 sec·Northwest Briarcliff Parkway
8
Continue on Northwest Briarcliff Parkway
396 ft·8 sec·Northwest Briarcliff Parkway
9
Enter roundabout
480 ft·9 sec
Toward MO 9 South: North Kansas City
10
Continue
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward MO 9 South: North Kansas City
11
Merge onto MO 9
0.3 mi·24 sec·MO 9
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward US 169 South: Kansas City
13
Merge onto US 169
3.5 mi·5 min·US 169
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto Broadway Boulevard
0.1 mi·18 sec·Broadway Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn left onto West 6th Street
0.3 mi·26 sec·West 6th Street
Use the left lane.
16
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward I 35 North, I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East
17
Continue on I 35; I 70; US 24; US 40
0.4 mi·39 sec·George Brett Super Highway
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70; US 24; US 40
0.5 mi·58 sec·George Brett Super Highway
Toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 71 South: Saint Louis, JoplinUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70; US 24; US 40
7.1 mi·9 min·George Brett Super Highway
Exit noneToward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East: Saint LouisUse the slight left / straight lanes.
32 mi·34 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi·24 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
26
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
27
Continue on I 70; US 40
0.8 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
28
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Exit 126Toward MO 163: Downtown
29
Turn right onto MO 163
1.2 mi·2 min·North Providence Road
30
Arrive at destination
MO 163
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time to avoid local congestion. Because there are no scheduled stops in the current plan, you should pack your own snacks and water before heading out to ensure you stay comfortable during the 2-hour and 8-minute journey. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before you leave Riverside, as local roads may offer fewer refueling options compared to major highway corridors. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, stay alert for changing speed limits and intersection signage throughout the 133.1-mile trek. By managing your own pace and staying observant, you can easily complete this drive in one smooth, efficient push.
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 66.3 miles from Riverside, MO, or about 1h 19m 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 29 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.3 miles or 1h 19m 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 4m
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 Riverside, 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 Riverside, MO
This is one driving day of about 132.7 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Riverside, 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 7.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 69 / Northwest Vivion Road
Turn sharp left onto US 69 / Northwest Vivion Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in
Enter roundabout toward MO 9 South: North Kansas City
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward MO 9 South: North Kansas City
6
5.9 mi into trip|~10m in|Broadway Boulevard
Keep slight left at fork onto Broadway Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
6.8 mi into trip|~12m in|I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 71 South: Saint Louis, Joplin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 71...
9
7.3 mi into trip|~13m in|I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit none
Toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East: Saint...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.75 one way
$41.49 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$22.78
$45.56
premium
$4.89
$25.54
$51.07
diesel
$5.61
$29.30
$58.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.8
0
$13.93
$6.37
Efficient EV
33.2
0
$11.61
$5.31
EV Truck/SUV
53.1
0
$18.58
$8.49
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
16 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 15, 2026
Origin
Riverside, MO
Late night
in Riverside on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Columbia, MO
Late night
in Columbia on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Odessa, MO
66 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
17 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 32m 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?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features a 0% highway share, keeping you off the high-speed corridors and on more localized pavement. Because the drive is entirely composed of local roads, you will experience a constant change in scenery and steering input as you navigate the turns. The road maintains a consistent pace, allowing you to settle into the flow of the local traffic as you traverse the 133.1-mile distance. Expect a hands-on experience where the character of the road shifts frequently rather than offering long, uninterrupted stretches of cruising.
Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 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 0.1 miles in near US 69 / Northwest Vivion Road.
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 17 significant decision points across 132.7 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 0.1 miles (US 69 / Northwest Vivion Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 5.9 miles (Broadway Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Riverside, MO to Columbia, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Joplin along the way.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 32m. Total distance: 132.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 32m 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. 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 0.1 miles (US 69 / Northwest Vivion Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 5.9 miles (Broadway Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Columbia, MO before heading back.
