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
Photo: life vibes
The drive from Poplar Bluff, MO to Jefferson City, MO covers 207.8 miles and takes about 4h 32m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 60, MO 19, US 63 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 60 miles on US 60. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.56 one way before food or hotel costs.
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 .
This is a 4h 32m highway drive covering 207.8 miles, with most of the trip on US 60 and MO 19. The longest continuous stretch is about 60 miles on US 60.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto MO 19
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto Holloway Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63 / North Bishop Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Washington Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto East Wall Way
Navigation decision point
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Poplar Bluff, MO and Jefferson City, MO.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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.
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.
Regular Gas
$31.56 one way
$63.13 round trip
| 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Poplar Bluff on Saturday
Local time
3:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Jefferson City on Saturday
Local time
3:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Forecast unavailable right now
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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