This 119.2-mile drive from Columbia to Castle Point, Missouri, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 27 minutes. You'll primarily navigate the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, I-270, and the Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway, with about 8% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $19, making it an economical option. Given its manageable distance and duration, it's an ideal choice for a day trip without the need for an overnight stay. This route stays within the Midwest region, offering a straightforward journey through Missouri.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.6 miles from Columbia, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 12m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 119.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. While 8% of the trip utilizes highways, the majority involves navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 103.1 miles along the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. This suggests a driving experience that requires frequent adjustments and attention to turns as you transition between different road types and local thoroughfares. The character of the drive will likely shift from more open highway segments to more intricate local routes as you progress.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 103.1 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 106.8 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 119.2 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 106.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
106.8 mi into trip|~2h 8m 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 232
Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
7
107 mi into trip|~2h 8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 270 North: Chicago
8
107.7 mi into trip|~2h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 270 North: Chicago
5
107.9 mi into trip|~2h 10m in|I 270
Merge onto I 270
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
116.9 mi into trip|~2h 21m in
Take the exit toward AC: New Halls Ferry Road, Old Halls Ferry Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 30
Toward AC: New Halls Ferry Road, Old Halls Ferr...
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 Columbia, MO to Castle Point, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Memphis
106.8 mi in|~2h 8m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
103.1 mi
2h 2m
I 270
9 mi
11m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.9 mi
2m
North Providence Road
1.2 mi
2m
New Halls Ferry Road
0.6 mi
<1m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
0.5 mi
<1m
Halls Ferry Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Pershall Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 103.1 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, MO and Castle Point, 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
103 mi·2 hr 2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·12 sec
Exit 232Toward I 270: Chicago, MemphisUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·36 sec
Toward I 270 North: ChicagoUse the slight left lane.
8
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·18 sec·this road
Exit 232Toward I 270 North: Chicago
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 270 North: ChicagoUse the straight lane.
10
Merge onto I 270
9.0 mi·11 min·I 270
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 30Toward AC: New Halls Ferry Road, Old Halls Ferry Road
12
Turn straight onto Pershall Road
0.3 mi·48 sec·Pershall Road
13
Turn right onto MO AC
0.6 mi·57 sec·New Halls Ferry Road
14
Continue on MO AC
0.3 mi·35 sec·Halls Ferry Road
15
Turn left onto Hudson Drive
0.3 mi·1 min·Hudson Drive
16
Turn right onto Edgefield Drive
0.3 mi·1 min·Edgefield Drive
17
Turn left onto Duchess Drive
0.2 mi·56 sec·Duchess Drive
18
Turn left onto Lord Drive
284 ft·12 sec·Lord Drive
19
Arrive at destination
Lord Drive
Trip Plan
With a total duration of under 2.5 hours and no designated stops, this trip offers considerable flexibility. You can easily depart at your convenience, whether it's a morning excursion or an afternoon drive. The estimated fuel cost of $19 is quite reasonable, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Columbia to maximize your time on the road. Pay attention to local road signage as you get closer to Castle Point, as the 'turn-heavy' nature of this drive means you'll be making several navigational adjustments. Enjoy the straightforward, local feel of this Missouri journey.
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 59.6 miles from Columbia, MO, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.1 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 26 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.6 miles or 1h 12m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Castle Point, 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 119.2 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Columbia, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 103.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.6 mi from Columbia, MO
· 1h 12m into the drive
The midpoint is around 59.6 miles from Columbia, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.1 miles.
Arriving in Castle Point, MO
The final approach into Castle Point, 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 Castle Point, 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
$18.64 one way
$37.27 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.46
$40.92
premium
$4.89
$22.94
$45.88
diesel
$5.61
$26.32
$52.64
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: 41.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.8
0
$12.52
$5.72
Efficient EV
29.8
0
$10.43
$4.77
EV Truck/SUV
47.7
0
$16.69
$7.63
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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 17, 2026
Origin
Columbia, MO
Evening
in Columbia on Friday
Local time
6:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 17 mph37% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 17 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 17 at 11:29AM CDT until April 22 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
Destination
Castle Point, MO
Evening
in Castle Point on Friday
Local time
6:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 15 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 17 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 17 at 11:29AM CDT until April 22 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
60°F
Warrenton, MO
60 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
4 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 27m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Castle Point, MO covers 119.2 miles and takes about 2h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, I 270, Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.6 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 $18.64 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 is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 119.2 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 106.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Columbia, MO to Castle Point, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
