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Trip from Carterville, MO to Castle Point, MO

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 28m

Distance

284.4 mi

458 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 15m ★
6 AM
5h 28m
8 AM
5h 55m
10 AM
5h 38m
12 PM
5h 35m
3 PM
5h 39m
5 PM
5h 54m
8 PM
5h 20m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Castle Point, MO, MO

Castle Point, MO

Gergely Meszárcsek

Trip Overview

The drive from Carterville, MO to Castle Point, MO covers 284.4 miles and takes about 5h 28m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 44, US Historic 66, Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 222.3 miles on I 44. At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.46 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

142.2 miles from Carterville, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 42m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 28m. Total distance: 284.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 5h 28m highway drive covering 284.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 44 and US Historic 66. The longest continuous stretch is about 222.3 miles on I 44.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 44 is the longest continuous segment at about 222.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and US Historic 66. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 284.4 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.2 miles (I 44): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 271.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
0.8 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp toward I 49 Business, MO 171 South: Carthage

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 49 Business, MO 171 South: Carthage
5
46.2 mi into trip | ~57m in | I 44

Merge onto I 44

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
271.9 mi into trip | ~5h 4m in

Take the exit toward Jamieson Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 284 Toward Jamieson Avenue
6
272.1 mi into trip | ~5h 4m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Jamieson Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward Jamieson Avenue
5
272.1 mi into trip | ~5h 4m in | Jamieson Avenue

Turn left onto Jamieson Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 44 222.3 mi 4h 2m
US Historic 66 37.1 mi 43m
Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway 5.9 mi 6m
Jennings Station Road 3.3 mi 6m
South Skinker Boulevard 2.8 mi 5m
Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway 2.7 mi 3m
West Central Avenue 1.7 mi 4m
Halls Ferry Road 1.6 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 44 — 222.3 mi, about 4h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Carterville, MO and Castle Point, MO.

1

Start on US Historic 66

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Main Street
2

Continue on MO HH

0.2 mi · 17 sec · MO HH
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 14 sec
Toward I 49 Business, MO 171 South: Carthage
4

Merge onto I 49 Business; MO 171

5.9 mi · 6 min · Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
5

Continue on MO 96; MO 571

1.7 mi · 4 min · West Central Avenue
Toward MO 96 East, MO 571 South: Carthage Use the straight lane.
6

Turn slight left onto US Historic 66; MO 96

9.4 mi · 11 min · US Historic 66; MO 96
7

Continue on US Historic 66; MO 37; MO 96

0.9 mi · 1 min · US Historic 66; MO 37; MO 96
8

Continue on US Historic 66; MO 96

27 mi · 30 min · US Historic 66; MO 96
9

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 44 East: Springfield
10

Merge onto I 44

222 mi · 4 hr 2 min · I 44
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 44

2.7 mi · 3 min · Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
12

Continue on I 44

0.6 mi · 47 sec · Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway
13

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Exit 284 Toward Jamieson Avenue Use the slight right lane.
14

Keep slight left at fork

227 ft · 6 sec
Toward Jamieson Avenue
15

Turn left onto Jamieson Avenue

0.3 mi · 46 sec · Jamieson Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
16

At end of road, turn left onto Arsenal Street

0.2 mi · 37 sec · Arsenal Street
17

Turn right onto McCausland Avenue

1.6 mi · 2 min · McCausland Avenue
18

Continue on South Skinker Boulevard

2.8 mi · 5 min · South Skinker Boulevard
Use the left lane.
19

Continue on Kienlen Avenue

1.6 mi · 2 min · Kienlen Avenue
20

Continue on Jennings Station Road

3.3 mi · 6 min · Jennings Station Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
21

Turn left onto Halls Ferry Road

1.6 mi · 2 min · Halls Ferry Road
Use the left lane.
22

Turn right onto Chambers Road

0.4 mi · 38 sec · Chambers Road
23

Turn left onto Lord Drive

0.5 mi · 1 min · Lord Drive
24

Arrive at destination

Lord Drive

Trip Plan

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 142.2 miles from Carterville, MO, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 222.3 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 63 miles or 1h 15m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 142.2 miles or 2h 42m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 21m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Castle Point, MO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Carterville, 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 Carterville, MO

This is one driving day of about 284.4 miles and 5h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Carterville, 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 I 44 for about 222.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 142.2 mi from Carterville, MO · 2h 42m into the drive

city in and the county seat of Pulaski County, Missouri, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waynesville, MO

142 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

Marshfield, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waynesville, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 142.2 miles from Carterville, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 44 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 222.3 miles.

Arriving in Castle Point, MO

The final approach into Castle Point, 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 Castle Point, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Gateway Arch National Park

Gateway Arch National Park

National Park

Gateway Arch National Park commemorates President Jefferson’s vision of a continental nation, the individuals and cultural groups who helped shape its history, St. Louis’ role in westward expansion, a...

6 mi from route ~16 min detour $19 near mile 285.4
View on nps.gov
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

National Battlefield

Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...

7 mi from route ~18 min detour Free near mile 61.1
View on nps.gov
George Washington Carver National Monument

George Washington Carver National Monument

National Monument

The young child known as the "Plant Doctor" tended his secret garden while observing the day-to-day operations of a 19th century farm. Nature and nurture ultimately influenced George on his quest for...

12 mi from route ~30 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.46 one way

$88.93 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 100 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $48.82 $97.64
premium $4.89 $54.73 $109.46
diesel $5.61 $62.79 $125.58

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$44

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$69–$94

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 99.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 85.3 1 $29.86 $13.65
Efficient EV 71.1 0 $24.88 $11.38
EV Truck/SUV 113.8 1 $39.82 $18.20

Gas CO2

100 kg

EV CO2

33 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Carterville, MO

Late night in Carterville on Saturday

Local time

12:25 AM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Castle Point, MO

Late night in Castle Point on Saturday

Local time

12:25 AM

CDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

76°F

Waynesville, MO

142 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

1 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

5h 28m 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 Carterville, MO to Castle Point, MO covers 284.4 miles and takes about 5h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 44, US Historic 66, Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 142.2 miles from Carterville, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.46 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 284.4 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.2 miles (I 44): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 271.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Carterville, MO to Castle Point, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Gateway Arch National Park, Wilson's Creek National Battlefield and George Washington Carver National Monument.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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