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 Effort6/10
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: CarthageUse 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 284Toward Jamieson AvenueUse 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
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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
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
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...
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/gal25.4 MPG avg100 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.
EV Charging Along Route
8 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: good
Tesla Destination Charger
Springfield, Missouri
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Springfield, Missouri
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Flying J EV Charging Station
Springfield, Missouri
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Springfield, Missouri
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Springfield, Missouri
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Dynamic EVC Charging Station Charging Station
Springfield, Missouri
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Springfield, Missouri
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Springfield, Missouri
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination: 3
ChargePoint: 3
Other: 2
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
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
1:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Castle Point, MO
Late night
in Castle Point on Saturday
Local time
1:58 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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
