Origin
Columbia, MO
Afternoon in Columbia on Thursday
Local time
2:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbia, MO to Polk, MO
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 51m
Distance
133.9 mi
215 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
26 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 40m
★
6 AM
2h 52m
8 AM
3h 14m
10 AM
2h 59m
12 PM
2h 57m
3 PM
3h 0m
5 PM
3h 12m
8 PM
2h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Polk, MO
Valeria Boltneva
Trip Overview
The drive from Columbia, MO to Polk, MO covers 133.9 miles and takes about 2h 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 54, US 63, MO 64 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 81.4 miles on US 54. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.93 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
66.9 miles from Columbia, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 51m. Total distance: 133.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 51m highway drive covering 133.9 miles, with most of the trip on US 54 and US 63. The longest continuous stretch is about 81.4 miles on US 54.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 54 is the longest continuous segment at about 81.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 54 and US 63. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near MO 740 / East Stadium Boulevard.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Columbia, MO to Polk, MO is easy. At 2h 51m with 92% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (MO 740 / East Stadium Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 3.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (US 63): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
MO 740 / East Stadium Boulevard
Turn left onto MO 740 / East Stadium Boulevard
Navigation decision point
4
3.2 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward US 63 South: Jefferson City
Navigation decision point
Toward US 63 South: Jefferson City
3
3.4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
US 63
Merge onto US 63
Merge point - match speed before joining
5
28.8 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
US 63
Take the exit onto US 63 toward US 54 West, US 63 South: Jefferson City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 54 West, US 63 South: Jefferson City
3
116.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m in
|
MO D
Turn left onto MO D
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 54 | 81.4 mi | 1h 38m |
| US 63 | 32.1 mi | 35m |
| MO 64 | 9.5 mi | 16m |
| MO D | 7.5 mi | 14m |
| East Stadium Boulevard | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| North Providence Road | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 54
— 81.4 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, MO and Polk, MO.
1
Start on MO 163
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Providence Road
2
Turn left onto MO 740
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
East Stadium Boulevard
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward US 63 South: Jefferson City
4
Merge onto US 63
25 mi
·
27 min
·
US 63
5
Take the exit onto US 63
6.6 mi
·
8 min
·
US 63
Toward US 54 West, US 63 South: Jefferson City
6
Continue on US 54
81 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
US 54
Use the slight right lane.
7
Turn left onto MO D
5.4 mi
·
9 min
·
MO D
8
Continue on MO 64
9.5 mi
·
16 min
·
MO 64
9
Continue on MO D
2.1 mi
·
5 min
·
MO D
10
Arrive at destination
MO D
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 66.9 miles from Columbia, MO, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.4 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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.9 miles or 1h 20m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Polk, 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 133.9 miles and 2h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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 US 54 for about 81.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66.9 mi from Columbia, MO · 1h 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 66.9 miles from Columbia, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 54 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.4 miles.
Arriving in Polk, MO
The final approach into Polk, 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 Polk, 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
$20.93 one way
$41.87 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $22.98 | $45.97 |
| premium | $4.89 | $25.77 | $51.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.56 | $59.13 |
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: 46.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
26 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Blink Charging Station
Columbia, Missouri
Blink
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Columbia, Missouri
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Rivian Adventure Network
Columbia, Missouri
Rivian
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Columbia, Missouri
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Columbia, Missouri
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Columbia, Missouri
Tesla
1 DCFC
EVre Charging Station
Osage Beach, Missouri
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Jefferson City, Missouri
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 7
Other: 5
Tesla: 4
Blink: 3
Tesla Destination: 3
EV Connect: 2
Rivian: 1
InCharge: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.2 | 0 | $14.06 | $6.43 |
| Efficient EV | 33.5 | 0 | $11.72 | $5.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.6 | 0 | $18.75 | $8.57 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Polk, MO
Afternoon in Polk on Thursday
Local time
2:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°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
19 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 51m 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 Polk, MO covers 133.9 miles and takes about 2h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 54, US 63, MO 64. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 66.9 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 $20.93 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.
The drive from Columbia, MO to Polk, MO is easy. At 2h 51m with 92% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (MO 740 / East Stadium Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 3.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (US 63): Merge point - match speed before joining.
The route from Columbia, MO to Polk, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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