Origin
Webb City, MO
Afternoon in Webb City on Sunday
Local time
2:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Webb City, MO to Columbia, MO
Drive Time
4h 31m
Distance
236.8 mi
381 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 18m
★
6 AM
4h 31m
8 AM
4h 58m
10 AM
4h 41m
12 PM
4h 38m
3 PM
4h 42m
5 PM
4h 57m
8 PM
4h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Webb City to Columbia, expect to cover 236.8 miles across the Missouri Midwest. The drive typically takes about 4 hours and 31 minutes, making it a manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You will navigate a mix of thoroughfares, including East MacArthur Drive, MO 249 South, and various local connectors. Budget approximately $36 for fuel to complete the journey comfortably. Since this route is designed as a single-day excursion, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience without feeling rushed.
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
118.4 miles from Webb City, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will spend your time navigating regional roads rather than high-speed lanes. The path feels more personal and connected to the local landscape, requiring frequent adjustments and careful driving. Because the route relies on local infrastructure, you should anticipate a consistent rhythm of turns rather than long, uninterrupted stretches of open road. It is an engaging driving experience that keeps you active throughout the entire 4-hour and 31-minute duration.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 113.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near I 49 Business; MO 171.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 236.8 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (I 49 Business; MO 171): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 5.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.1 miles (I 44; I 49; US 71 / Congressman Gene Taylor Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
I 49 Business; MO 171
Enter roundabout onto I 49 Business; MO 171
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
5.3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward MO 66, I 44 Business
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MO 66, I 44 Business
5
9.1 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
I 44; I 49; US 71 / Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
Merge onto I 44; I 49; US 71 / Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
122.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
Take the exit toward MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 129
Toward MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville
5
122.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
|
MO 5; MO 32; MO 64 / South Jefferson Avenue
Turn left onto MO 5; MO 32; MO 64 / South Jefferson Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between Webb City, MO and Columbia, MO, road signs point toward Nevada, Osage Beach and Jefferson City.
Nevada
147.8 mi in
|
~2h 47m
Osage Beach
147.8 mi in
|
~2h 47m
Jefferson City
147.8 mi in
|
~2h 47m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Congressman Gene Taylor Highway | 113.3 mi | 2h 2m |
| US 54 | 59.1 mi | 1h 8m |
| US 63 | 26.1 mi | 28m |
| MO 5 | 23.7 mi | 29m |
| Governor Warren E Hearnes Memorial Highway | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| East Stadium Boulevard | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| East 7th Street | 2 mi | 3m |
| South Jefferson Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
— 113.3 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Webb City, MO and Columbia, MO.
1
Start on MO D
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Turn left onto I 49 Business; MO 171
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
East MacArthur Drive
3
Enter roundabout onto I 49 Business; MO 171
234 ft
·
3 sec
·
I 49 Business; MO 171
4
Continue on I 49 Business; MO 171
0.6 mi
·
37 sec
·
I 49 Business; MO 171
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
Toward MO 249 South: Joplin
6
Merge onto MO 249
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Governor Warren E Hearnes Memorial Highway
Toward MO 249 South: Joplin
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward MO 66, I 44 Business
8
Turn left onto I 44 Business; MO 66
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
East 7th Street
9
Continue on I 44 Business; MO 66
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Cimarron Road
10
Take the ramp onto I 44 Business
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 44 Business
Toward I 44 East, I 49 North, US 71 North: Springfield, Kansas City
11
Merge onto I 44; I 49; US 71
113 mi
·
2 hr 2 min
·
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 129
Toward MO 64, MO 5, MO 32: Hartville
13
Turn left onto MO 5; MO 32; MO 64
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Jefferson Avenue
Use the none lane.
14
Continue on MO 5
24 mi
·
29 min
·
MO 5
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward US 54: Camdenton, Nevada, Osage Beach, Jefferson City
16
Turn right onto US 54
31 mi
·
35 min
·
US 54
Use the none / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto US 54
28 mi
·
32 min
·
US 54
Use the none lane.
18
Take the exit onto US 63
26 mi
·
28 min
·
US 63
Toward US 63 North: Columbia
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Toward MO 740
20
Turn left onto MO 740
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
East Stadium Boulevard
21
Turn right onto MO 163
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Providence Road
22
Arrive at destination
MO 163
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 236.8-mile journey, try to time your departure to avoid peak local traffic, which can affect your travel time on these turn-heavy roads. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, as the winding nature of the path can be more fatiguing than typical highway cruising. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning between the various local roads mentioned in your itinerary, to ensure you stay within your $36 budget. Since you are navigating local routes rather than major interstates, stay alert for changing speed limits and intersection signage throughout the trip.
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 118.4 miles from Webb City, MO, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.3 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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.4 miles or 2h 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 3h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbia, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Webb City, 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 Webb City, MO
This is one driving day of about 236.8 miles and 4h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Webb City, 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 Congressman Gene Taylor Highway for about 113.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 118.4 mi from Webb City, MO · 2h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
118 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 118.4 miles from Webb City, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Congressman Gene Taylor Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.3 miles.
Arriving in Columbia, MO
The final approach into Columbia, 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 Columbia, MO.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.97 one way
$71.93 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
83 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $39.65 | $79.30 |
| premium | $4.80 | $44.70 | $89.41 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $52.61 | $105.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71 | 0 | $24.86 | $11.37 |
| Efficient EV | 59.2 | 0 | $20.72 | $9.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94.7 | 1 | $33.15 | $15.16 |
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Columbia, MO
Afternoon in Columbia on Sunday
Local time
2:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°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
7 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
4h 31m 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 Webb City, MO to Columbia, MO covers 236.8 miles and takes about 4h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Congressman Gene Taylor Highway, US 54, US 63. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 118.4 miles from Webb City, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.97 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 236.8 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (I 49 Business; MO 171): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 5.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.1 miles (I 44; I 49; US 71 / Congressman Gene Taylor Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Webb City, MO and Columbia, MO, road signs point toward Nevada, Osage Beach and Jefferson City.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Columbia, MO
More from Webb City, MO
More trips to Columbia, MO
Explore more options from Webb City, MO or browse trips ending in Columbia, MO.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.
Explore maps for Webb City, MO or Columbia, MO on MapSof.net.