Origin
Poplar Bluff, MO
Afternoon in Poplar Bluff on Sunday
Local time
3:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Poplar Bluff, MO to Jefferson City, MO
Drive Time
4h 32m
Distance
207.8 mi
334 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 19m
★
6 AM
4h 33m
8 AM
5h 0m
10 AM
4h 42m
12 PM
4h 39m
3 PM
4h 43m
5 PM
4h 58m
8 PM
4h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Poplar Bluff, MO
Tom Fisk
Jefferson City, MO
life vibes
Trip Overview
Stretching 207.8 miles through the heart of Missouri, this route connects Poplar Bluff to Jefferson City in approximately 4 hours and 32 minutes. Because the total travel time is manageable within a single day, you likely won't need an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Plan for a fuel budget of about $32 to cover the distance. Since the entire trip takes place within the Midwest, you can expect a consistent regional feel as you head north. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that works well for travelers looking to get 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
103.9 miles from Poplar Bluff, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a trip dominated by highway travel, which accounts for 91% of your journey. You will navigate a combination of US 60, MO 19, and US 63 as you transition between these regional arteries. The longest uninterrupted stretch lasts for 60 miles on US 60, allowing for steady progress before you encounter shifts in the road layout. Because the route is highway-focused, the driving experience is generally consistent rather than overly technical. Be prepared for the rhythm of these major roads as you maintain a steady pace toward the state capital.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 60 is the longest continuous segment at about 60 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,294 ft
363 ft
Total Climb
1,718 ft
Total Descent
1,448 ft
Highest Point
1,294 ft
~103.9 mi in
Elevation Range
931 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 60 and MO 19. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 64.4 miles in near MO 19.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 32m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 64.4 miles (MO 19): Navigation decision point; at 145.4 miles (Holloway Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 146.5 miles (I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63 / North Bishop Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
64.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
|
MO 19
Turn right onto MO 19
Navigation decision point
5
145.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m in
|
Holloway Street
Turn right onto Holloway Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
146.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 13m in
|
I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63 / North Bishop Avenue
Turn right onto I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63 / North Bishop Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
207.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 32m in
|
Washington Street
Turn right onto Washington Street
Navigation decision point
5
207.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 32m in
|
East Wall Way
Turn right onto East Wall Way
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 60 | 60 mi | 1h 11m |
| MO 19 | 54.4 mi | 1h 15m |
| US 63 | 47.9 mi | 1h 1m |
| MO 72 | 24.3 mi | 31m |
| North Bishop Avenue | 12.9 mi | 15m |
| North Westwood Boulevard | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| MO 32 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Holloway Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 60
— 60 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Poplar Bluff, MO and Jefferson City, MO.
1
Start on US 60 Business
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Pine Street
2
Turn right onto US 60 Business; US 67 Business
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Westwood Boulevard
3
Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
State Street
4
Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Westwood Boulevard
5
Continue on US 67; US 60 Business
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
US 67; US 60 Business
6
Continue on US 60; US 67
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
US 60; US 67
7
Take the exit onto US 60
56 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
US 60
8
Turn right onto MO 19
13 mi
·
18 min
·
MO 19
9
Turn slight right onto MO 19
42 mi
·
56 min
·
MO 19
10
Turn left onto MO 32; MO 72
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
MO 32; MO 72
11
Turn right onto MO 72
24 mi
·
31 min
·
MO 72
12
Turn right onto Salem Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Salem Avenue
13
Turn right onto Holloway Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Holloway Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
At end of road, turn left onto East 18th Street
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
East 18th Street
15
Continue on North Walnut Street
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
North Walnut Street
16
Turn right onto I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63
13 mi
·
15 min
·
North Bishop Avenue
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on US 63; MO 28
48 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
US 63; MO 28
18
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Jefferson Street
19
Turn left onto West McCarty Street
495 ft
·
16 sec
·
West McCarty Street
20
Turn right onto Washington Street
250 ft
·
12 sec
·
Washington Street
21
Turn right onto East Wall Way
341 ft
·
25 sec
·
East Wall Way
22
Arrive at destination
East Wall Way
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip, departing early helps you maximize your time at your destination. You have the flexibility to schedule your one recommended stop whenever you need to stretch your legs or refuel. Keep in mind that with over 200 miles to cover, maintaining your fuel levels early on is a smart strategy to avoid unnecessary stress. If you feel fatigue setting in during the longer 60-mile segments, use that planned stop as a hard reset for your focus. Taking advantage of the route’s efficiency makes this a stress-free transition across the Missouri landscape.
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 103.9 miles from Poplar Bluff, MO, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60 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 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.9 miles or 2h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 43m
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 Poplar Bluff, 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 Poplar Bluff, MO
This is one driving day of about 207.8 miles and 4h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Poplar Bluff, 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 60 for about 60 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 103.9 mi from Poplar Bluff, MO · 2h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
104 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 103.9 miles from Poplar Bluff, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 60 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Jefferson City, 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
$31.56 one way
$63.13 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
73 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $34.79 | $69.59 |
| premium | $4.80 | $39.23 | $78.46 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $46.17 | $92.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.3 | 0 | $21.82 | $9.97 |
| Efficient EV | 52 | 0 | $18.18 | $8.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 83.1 | 1 | $29.09 | $13.30 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Destination
Jefferson City, MO
Afternoon in Jefferson City on Sunday
Local time
3:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
81°F
Bono, AR
104 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
4h 32m 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 Poplar Bluff, MO to Jefferson City, MO covers 207.8 miles and takes about 4h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 60, MO 19, US 63. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 103.9 miles from Poplar Bluff, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.56 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 straightforward 4h 32m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 64.4 miles (MO 19): Navigation decision point; at 145.4 miles (Holloway Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 146.5 miles (I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63 / North Bishop Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Poplar Bluff, MO to Jefferson City, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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