Origin
Macon, MO
Night in Macon on Thursday
Local time
11:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Macon, MO to Jefferson City, MO
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 40m
Distance
87.8 mi
141 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 33m
★
6 AM
1h 40m
8 AM
1h 55m
10 AM
1h 45m
12 PM
1h 44m
3 PM
1h 46m
5 PM
1h 54m
8 PM
1h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Macon, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Jefferson City, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Macon to Jefferson City, you can expect a straightforward journey spanning 87.8 miles through the heart of Missouri. This drive typically takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You will navigate primarily via South Missouri Street, US 63, and North Rollins Street to reach the capital. Budgeting approximately $13 for fuel should comfortably cover your transit between these two Midwestern locales. Because the route is relatively short and efficient, it offers a great deal of flexibility for your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.9 miles from Macon, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 87.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (2%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
This trip is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate haul. With only 2% of the journey spent on highways, you will spend the vast majority of your time navigating local roads. You should be prepared for a significant, uninterrupted stretch of 84.1 miles specifically on South Missouri Street. Because the road demands more attention than a standard high-speed commute, you will find it requires a more active, hands-on driving style throughout the duration of the trip.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Missouri Street is the longest continuous segment at about 84.1 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
875 ft
582 ft
Total Climb
250 ft
Total Descent
485 ft
Highest Point
875 ft
~31.4 mi in
Elevation Range
293 ft
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 early in the drive near East Washington Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 40m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (US 63 / South Missouri Street): Navigation decision point; at 85.5 miles (US 63): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Washington Street
Turn right onto East Washington Street
Navigation decision point
4
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 63 / South Missouri Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 63 / South Missouri Street
Navigation decision point
5
85.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m 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
5
87.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
|
West High Street
Turn left onto West High Street
Navigation decision point
6
87.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
|
East Wall Way
At end of road, turn left onto East Wall Way
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Missouri Street | 84.1 mi | 1h 31m |
| US 63 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| North Rollins Street | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| West Main Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West High Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Broadway Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Walker Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Washington Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
South Missouri Street
— 84.1 mi, about 1h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Macon, MO and Jefferson City, MO.
1
Start on Walker Street
157 ft
·
8 sec
·
Walker Street
2
Turn right onto East Washington Street
154 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Washington Street
3
Turn left onto North Rollins Street
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North Rollins Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 63
84 mi
·
1 hr 31 min
·
South Missouri Street
5
Take the exit onto US 63
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 63
Toward US 54 West, US 63 South: Jefferson City
6
Take the exit
388 ft
·
18 sec
Toward State Capitol
7
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
8
Turn right onto Broadway Street
446 ft
·
26 sec
·
Broadway Street
9
Turn left onto West High Street
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
West High Street
10
Turn right
254 ft
·
25 sec
11
At end of road, turn left onto East Wall Way
6 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Wall Way
12
Arrive at destination
East Wall Way
Trip Plan
Since this 1 hour and 40 minute trip is relatively brief, you have the advantage of being able to depart at almost any time of day without needing to plan for overnight stops. Keep in mind that because the route involves a long, continuous stretch on a local thoroughfare, you should ensure your vehicle is fueled up before leaving Macon to stay within your $13 estimate. There are no scheduled stops in the current data, so plan your own breaks along the way if you prefer to stretch your legs. Most importantly, stay alert for the frequent turns that define this path, as the road character changes significantly from standard highway driving.
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 43.9 miles from Macon, MO, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.1 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 19 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.9 miles or 49m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jefferson City, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Macon, MO so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Macon, MO
This is one driving day of about 87.8 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Macon, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on South Missouri Street for about 84.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.9 mi from Macon, MO · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43.9 miles from Macon, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South Missouri Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.1 miles.
Arriving in Jefferson City, MO
The final approach into Jefferson City, MO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.73 one way
$27.45 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $15.07 | $30.14 |
| premium | $4.89 | $16.90 | $33.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.39 | $38.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.3 | 0 | $9.22 | $4.21 |
| Efficient EV | 22 | 0 | $7.68 | $3.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.1 | 0 | $12.29 | $5.62 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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
Jefferson City, MO
Night in Jefferson City on Thursday
Local time
11:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Columbia, MO
44 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
2 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
1h 40m 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 Macon, MO to Jefferson City, MO covers 87.8 miles and takes about 1h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Missouri Street, US 63, North Rollins Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43.9 miles from Macon, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.73 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 straightforward 1h 40m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Washington Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (US 63 / South Missouri Street): Navigation decision point; at 85.5 miles (US 63): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Macon, MO to Jefferson City, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 582 ft to 875 ft elevation with about 250 ft of total climbing.
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