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Trip from Carterville, MO to Saint Peters, MO

Drive Time

5h 22m

Distance

275.4 mi

443 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
5h 9m ★
6 AM
5h 23m
8 AM
5h 50m
10 AM
5h 32m
12 PM
5h 30m
3 PM
5h 34m
5 PM
5h 48m
8 PM
5h 15m

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 Saint Peters, MO, MO

Saint Peters, MO

Aleksandra Żmuda

Trip Overview

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 $41.83 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 .

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.

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.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

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: 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

195 mi · 3 hr 30 min · I 44
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 253 Toward I 44 Business, MO 100 East: Gray Summit Use 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 10 Toward MO 94: Defiance, Saint Charles Use the slight right lane.
26

Keep slight right at fork

313 ft · 4 sec
Toward MO 94 East: Saint Charles Use 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 Road Use 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: Wentzville Use 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 80 miles or 1h 33m 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 80 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

Downtown Cahokia, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cahokia, IL

138 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

Bentonville, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cahokia, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 137.7 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 194.8 miles.

Arriving in Saint Peters, MO

The final approach into Saint Peters, 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 Saint Peters, 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.

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 ~17 min detour Free near mile 57
Caution: BE AWARE OF HIGH-WATER DANGER
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
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...

25 mi from route ~62 min detour $19 near mile 256.4
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.83 one way

$83.66 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 96 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $46.11 $92.23
premium $4.80 $51.99 $103.98
diesel $5.64 $61.18 $122.37

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$42

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 96.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

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 data refreshed 38 minutes ago

Origin

Carterville, MO

Morning in Carterville on Monday

Local time

10:55 AM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Saint Peters, MO

Morning in Saint Peters on Monday

Local time

10:55 AM

CDT

Current temp

86°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 12 to 15 mph 13% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:46PM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:46PM CDT until April 20 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

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

29 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 $41.83 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.

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