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Trip from Albany, MO to Columbia, MO

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

2h 9m

Distance

112.1 mi

180 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
2h 1m ★
6 AM
2h 10m
8 AM
2h 28m
10 AM
2h 16m
12 PM
2h 14m
3 PM
2h 17m
5 PM
2h 27m
8 PM
2h 4m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Albany, MO, MO

Albany, MO

Valeria Boltneva

Trip Overview

This 112.1-mile journey from Albany, MO to Columbia, MO is a straightforward, one-day road trip that takes approximately 2 hours and 9 minutes to complete. With a fuel cost estimated at $18, it's an economical option for a quick getaway. You'll primarily be on well-maintained highways, making it a comfortable drive through the Midwest region. Given its relatively short distance and duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination. No overnight stays are necessary for this particular stretch.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

56.1 miles from Albany, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 112.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" for much of this 112.1-mile route, though about 8% of it will be on higher-speed highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 54.4 miles along U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. As you travel, you'll notice the scenery shifting from more rural landscapes to the approach of a more developed area. This drive offers a mix of steady highway cruising and more frequent changes in direction as you navigate local roads, keeping you engaged behind the wheel.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 54.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West 73rd Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 112.1 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 73rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | West 73rd Street

Turn left onto West 73rd Street

Navigation decision point

5
8.9 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the exit toward MO 13: Polo, Henrietta

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward MO 13: Polo, Henrietta
5
9.2 mi into trip | ~12m in

Keep slight right at fork toward MO 13 South: Henrietta

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward MO 13 South: Henrietta
7
33.8 mi into trip | ~43m 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
5
110.8 mi into trip | ~2h 6m in

Take the exit toward MO 163: Downtown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 126 Toward MO 163: Downtown

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 Albany, MO to Columbia, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Henrietta along the way.

Henrietta

8.9 mi in | ~12m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway 54.4 mi 58m
South Spartan Drive 24.5 mi 30m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 21.6 mi 23m
MO 210 5.9 mi 7m
MO 10 2.6 mi 3m
North Providence Road 1.2 mi 2m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway 0.8 mi 1m
West 73rd Street 0.3 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 Albany, MO and Columbia, MO.

1

Start on Albany Road

68 ft · 9 sec · Albany Road
2

Turn left onto West 73rd Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · West 73rd Street
3

Turn left onto MO 210

5.9 mi · 7 min · MO 210
4

Continue on MO 10

2.6 mi · 3 min · MO 10
5

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward MO 13: Polo, Henrietta
6

Keep slight right at fork

157 ft · 4 sec
Toward MO 13 South: Henrietta
7

Merge onto MO 13

25 mi · 30 min · South Spartan Drive
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Columbia
9

Merge onto I 70; US 40

20 mi · 21 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
10

Continue on I 70; US 40

32 mi · 34 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

22 mi · 24 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
12

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
13

Continue on I 70; US 40

0.8 mi · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
14

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Exit 126 Toward MO 163: Downtown
15

Turn right onto MO 163

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Providence Road
16

Arrive at destination

MO 163

Trip Plan

Since this drive is only about 2 hours and 9 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility for when you depart. Leaving mid-morning could allow for a relaxed start and an arrival in Columbia, MO around lunchtime. There are no specific stops recommended, so consider packing snacks and drinks to minimize any need for detours. Keep an eye out for the transition onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway as you get closer to Columbia, as this marks a change in the road's character. With a total fuel cost of around $18, you won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 56.1 miles from Albany, MO, or about 1h 7m 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 25 miles or 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 56.1 miles or 1h 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 1h 46m

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 Albany, 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 Albany, MO

This is one driving day of about 112.1 miles and 2h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Albany, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 56.1 mi from Albany, MO · 1h 7m into the drive

Downtown Concordia, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Concordia, MO

56 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

Higginsville, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sweet Springs, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 56.1 miles from Albany, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Columbia, MO

The final approach into Columbia, MO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Columbia, MO.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.53 one way

$35.05 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 39 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $19.24 $38.48
premium $4.89 $21.57 $43.15
diesel $5.61 $24.75 $49.50

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 39.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 33.6 0 $11.77 $5.38
Efficient EV 28 0 $9.81 $4.48
EV Truck/SUV 44.8 0 $15.69 $7.17

Gas CO2

39 kg

EV CO2

13 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 15, 2026

Origin

Albany, MO

Late night in Albany on Friday

Local time

1:35 AM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Columbia, MO

Late night in Columbia on Friday

Local time

1:35 AM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

73°F

Concordia, MO

56 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

2h 9m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Albany, MO to Columbia, MO covers 112.1 miles and takes about 2h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, South Spartan Drive, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56.1 miles from Albany, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.53 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 112.1 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 73rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Albany, MO to Columbia, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Henrietta along the way.

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