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Trip from Columbia, MO to Murphy, MO

Data updated 4 hours ago

Drive Time

2h 30m

Distance

119.6 mi

192 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 20m ★
6 AM
2h 30m
8 AM
2h 50m
10 AM
2h 37m
12 PM
2h 35m
3 PM
2h 38m
5 PM
2h 49m
8 PM
2h 24m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Murphy, MO, MO

Murphy, MO

Valeria Boltneva

Trip Overview

The drive from Columbia, MO to Murphy, MO covers 119.6 miles and takes about 2h 30m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Avenue of the Saints, MO 141 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 81 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.70 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

59.8 miles from Columbia, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a 2h 30m drive with frequent turns across 119.6 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 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 81 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 84.7 miles in near US 40.

Route Complexity 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 2h 30m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow 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 85 miles (I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 107 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

These 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...
5
85 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in | I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints

Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
107 mi into trip | ~2h 8m in

Take the exit toward MO 141

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 22 Toward MO 141
5
107.2 mi into trip | ~2h 9m in

Turn right toward MO 141: Manchester

Navigation decision point

Toward MO 141: Manchester
5
107.3 mi into trip | ~2h 9m in | MO 141

Merge onto MO 141

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 81 mi 1h 35m
Avenue of the Saints 22 mi 26m
MO 141 8.5 mi 13m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway 1.9 mi 2m
Hawkins Road 1.6 mi 3m
North Providence Road 1.2 mi 2m
New Sugar Creek Road 1 mi 2m
Gravois Road 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 81 mi, about 1h 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, MO and Murphy, 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

22 mi · 26 min · Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Exit 22 Toward MO 141 Use the slight right lane.
9

Turn right

185 ft · 5 sec
Toward MO 141: Manchester
10

Merge onto MO 141

8.5 mi · 13 min · MO 141
Use the right lane.
11

Turn right onto Hawkins Road

1.6 mi · 3 min · Hawkins Road
12

Continue on New Sugar Creek Road

1.0 mi · 2 min · New Sugar Creek Road
13

Turn left onto Gravois Road

0.5 mi · 57 sec · Gravois Road
14

Turn right onto Valley Dell Drive

31 ft · 1 sec · Valley Dell Drive
15

Turn right onto MO 30

0.5 mi · 43 sec · MO 30
16

Turn right

35 ft · 0 sec
Toward New Sugar Creek Road
17

Arrive at destination

Toward New Sugar Creek Road

Trip Plan

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 59.8 miles from Columbia, MO, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81 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 59.8 miles or 1h 11m 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 Murphy, 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 119.6 miles and 2h 30m.

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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 81 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 59.8 mi from Columbia, MO · 1h 11m into the drive

city in Madison County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Alton, IL

60 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

Alton, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Alton, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 59.8 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 81 miles.

Arriving in Murphy, MO

The final approach into Murphy, 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 Murphy, MO.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Gateway Arch National Park

Gateway Arch National Park

National Park

Gateway Arch National Park commemorates President Jefferson’s vision of a continental nation, the individuals and cultural groups who helped shape its history, St. Louis’ role in westward expansion, a...

17 mi from route ~44 min detour $19 near mile 111.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.70 one way

$37.40 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $20.53 $41.06
premium $4.89 $23.02 $46.03
diesel $5.61 $26.41 $52.81

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: 41.8 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 35.9 0 $12.56 $5.74
Efficient EV 29.9 0 $10.46 $4.78
EV Truck/SUV 47.8 0 $16.74 $7.65

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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Columbia, MO

Night in Columbia on Tuesday

Local time

10:56 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Murphy, MO

Night in Murphy on Tuesday

Local time

10:56 PM

CDT

Current temp

45°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

5 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 30m 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 Columbia, MO to Murphy, MO covers 119.6 miles and takes about 2h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Avenue of the Saints, MO 141. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.8 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 $18.70 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 2h 30m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow 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 85 miles (I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 107 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Columbia, MO to Murphy, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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