The drive from Carterville, MO to Saint Peters, MO covers 275.4 miles and takes about 5h 22m 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, Manchester Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 194.8 miles on I 44.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.06 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
137.7 miles from Carterville, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 36m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 22m. Total distance: 275.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 22m highway drive covering 275.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 44 and US Historic 66. The longest continuous stretch is about 194.8 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 32 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 194.8 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,456 ft443 ft
Total Climb
832 ft
Total Descent
1,375 ft
Highest Point
1,456 ft
~78.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,012 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and US Historic 66. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 275.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 241.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 266.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 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
8
241.1 mi into trip|~4h 28m in
Take the exit toward I 44 Business, MO 100 East: Gray Summit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 253
Toward I 44 Business, MO 100 East: Gray Summit
8
266.4 mi into trip|~5h 7m in
Take the exit toward MO 94: Defiance, Saint Charles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 10
Toward MO 94: Defiance, Saint Charles
8
266.6 mi into trip|~5h 7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MO 94 East: Saint Charles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward MO 94 East: Saint Charles
8
270.1 mi into trip|~5h 12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Pitman Hill Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Pitman Hill Road
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 44
194.8 mi
3h 30m
US Historic 66
37.1 mi
43m
Manchester Road
13.4 mi
18m
Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
5.9 mi
6m
MO 109
4.9 mi
7m
Mid Rivers Mall Drive
4.7 mi
9m
MO 94
3.4 mi
4m
Avenue of the Saints
2.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 194.8 mi, about 3h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carterville, MO and Saint Peters, 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
195 mi·3 hr 30 min·I 44
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 253Toward I 44 Business, MO 100 East: Gray SummitUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto MO 100
13 mi·18 min·Manchester Road
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward MO 109
14
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
224 ft·4 sec·MO 109
15
Continue on MO 109
515 ft·10 sec·MO 109
16
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
98 ft·1 sec·MO 109
17
Continue on MO 109
0.4 mi·45 sec·MO 109
18
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
94 ft·2 sec·MO 109
19
Continue on MO 109
4.3 mi·6 min·MO 109
20
Enter roundabout onto South Eatherton Road
94 ft·1 sec·South Eatherton Road
21
Continue on South Eatherton Road
2.4 mi·4 min·South Eatherton Road
22
Continue on Olive Street Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Olive Street Road
23
Take the ramp onto Chesterfield Airport Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Chesterfield Airport Road
24
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
2.7 mi·3 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 10Toward MO 94: Defiance, Saint CharlesUse the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft·4 sec
Toward MO 94 East: Saint CharlesUse the right lane.
27
Merge onto MO 94
3.4 mi·4 min·MO 94
Use the right lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Pitman Hill RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn left onto Mid Rivers Mall Drive
4.7 mi·9 min·Mid Rivers Mall Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
30
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·20 sec
Toward I 70 West: WentzvilleUse the slight left lane.
31
Merge onto I 70
479 ft·6 sec·I 70
32
Arrive at destination
I 70
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 137.7 miles from Carterville, MO, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 194.8 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 61 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.7 miles or 2h 36m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Peters, 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 275.4 miles and 5h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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 194.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 137.7 mi from Carterville, MO
· 2h 36m 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.
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...
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...
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
$19
near mile 256.4
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.6
1
$28.92
$13.22
Efficient EV
68.9
0
$24.10
$11.02
EV Truck/SUV
110.2
1
$38.56
$17.63
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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 18, 2026
Origin
Carterville, MO
Late night
in Carterville on Saturday
Local time
2:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
N 20 mph96% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Saint Peters, MO
Late night
in Saint Peters on Saturday
Local time
2:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Washington, MO
138 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
12 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 22m 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 Saint Peters, MO covers 275.4 miles and takes about 5h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 44, US Historic 66, Manchester Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 137.7 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 $43.06 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 demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 275.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 241.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 266.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Carterville, MO to Saint Peters, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 443 ft to 1,456 ft elevation with about 832 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Wilson's Creek National Battlefield, George Washington Carver National Monument and Gateway Arch National Park.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
