Origin
Columbia, MO
Afternoon in Columbia on Sunday
Local time
1:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbia, MO to Bethany, MO
Drive Time
5h 55m
Distance
297.5 mi
479 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
Photo: Mikhail Nilov
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Columbia to Bethany, prepare for a 297.5-mile journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 55 minutes. Since this route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, it is best tackled as a single-day commitment rather than an overnight excursion. You can expect to spend approximately $45 on fuel to complete the transit across the Missouri Midwest. Navigating this path involves transitioning across the Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, and the Avenue of the Saints. While the travel time is significant, the route remains straightforward enough that you can comfortably manage the distance in one go. Keep in mind that this is a practical, functional drive designed to get you from point A to point B efficiently.
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
148.8 miles from Columbia, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a varied experience behind the wheel, as this route is not a simple interstate sprint. Only 15% of your total mileage is spent on major highways, meaning you will spend the vast majority of your time on local roads that require your full attention. The longest uninterrupted section you will encounter is a 126.7-mile stretch along the Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, which offers the most consistent driving conditions of the trip. Because the profile is defined by turns and local road segments, you should anticipate a more active driving experience than a standard highway cruise. This mix of road types keeps the journey engaging, though it demands more focus than a monotonous freeway slog.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 126.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 84.7 miles in near US 40.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 297.5 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 84.7 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
84.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
|
US 40
Take the exit onto US 40 toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 210A
Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Ches...
8
110.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25
Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
7
110.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 270 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 270 South: Memphis
8
122.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis...
6
253 mi into trip
|
~4h 49m in
Take the exit toward US 60 West: Dexter, Poplar Bluff
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 66B
Toward US 60 West: Dexter, Poplar Bluff
Towns Along This Route
Between Columbia, MO and Bethany, MO, road signs point toward Memphis, Poplar Bluff and Bloomfield.
Memphis
110.1 mi in
|
~2h 12m
Poplar Bluff
253 mi in
|
~4h 49m
Bloomfield
276.1 mi in
|
~5h 16m
|
via US 60 Business
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway | 126.7 mi | 2h 15m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 81 mi | 1h 35m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 25.1 mi | 30m |
| US 60 | 22.6 mi | 26m |
| I 270 | 11.5 mi | 14m |
| US 60 Business | 10.9 mi | 16m |
| West Main Avenue | 6.7 mi | 11m |
| MO H | 3 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
— 126.7 mi, about 2h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, MO and Bethany, MO.
1
Start on MO 163
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Providence Road
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Saint Louis
3
Merge onto I 70; US 40
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
4
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
5
Continue on I 70; US 40
81 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
6
Take the exit onto US 40
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
US 40
Exit 210A
Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
7
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi
·
30 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 25
Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 270 South: Memphis
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 270
11 mi
·
14 min
·
I 270
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 1A
Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 55 South: Memphis
13
Merge onto I 55
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Rosa Parks Highway
Use the none lane.
14
Continue on I 55
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
15
Continue on I 55
127 mi
·
2 hr 15 min
·
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 66B
Toward US 60 West: Dexter, Poplar Bluff
17
Merge onto US 60
23 mi
·
26 min
·
US 60
18
Take the exit onto US 60 Business
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
US 60 Business
Toward MO 25, US 60 Business: Dexter, Bloomfield
19
Turn left onto US 60 Business; MO 25
11 mi
·
15 min
·
US 60 Business; MO 25
20
Turn right onto MO U
6.7 mi
·
11 min
·
West Main Avenue
21
Turn left onto MO H
3.0 mi
·
7 min
·
MO H
22
Turn left onto County Road 102
0.8 mi
·
3 min
·
County Road 102
23
Arrive at destination
County Road 102
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour and 55-minute drive, aim to depart early to account for the local road conditions and potential traffic. You only need to plan for one major stop to break up the journey, which helps keep your focus sharp during the more technical sections. Since fuel costs are estimated at $45, fill up your tank before leaving Columbia to avoid hunting for stations on less familiar local stretches. Given the high percentage of local roads, stay alert for changing speed limits and intersections that deviate from standard highway travel. Flexibility is your greatest asset here; since this is a single-day trip, feel free to adjust your departure time to avoid the heaviest local traffic patterns.
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 148.8 miles from Columbia, MO, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 126.7 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.8 miles or 2h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bethany, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Columbia, 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 Columbia, MO
This is one driving day of about 297.5 miles and 5h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Columbia, 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 Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway for about 126.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 148.8 mi from Columbia, MO · 2h 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
149 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 148.8 miles from Columbia, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 126.7 miles.
Arriving in Bethany, MO
The final approach into Bethany, 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 Bethany, MO.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.19 one way
$90.37 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
104 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $49.81 | $99.63 |
| premium | $4.80 | $56.16 | $112.32 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $66.09 | $132.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 89.3 | 1 | $31.24 | $14.28 |
| Efficient EV | 74.4 | 0 | $26.03 | $11.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 119 | 1 | $41.65 | $19.04 |
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Destination
Bethany, MO
Afternoon in Bethany on Sunday
Local time
1:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
9 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
5h 55m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Columbia, MO to Bethany, MO covers 297.5 miles and takes about 5h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Avenue of the Saints. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 148.8 miles from Columbia, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.19 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 297.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 84.7 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Columbia, MO and Bethany, MO, road signs point toward Memphis, Poplar Bluff and Bloomfield.
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