Origin
Carterville, MO
Late night in Carterville on Saturday
Local time
3:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carterville, MO to St. Louis, MO
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 16m
Distance
279.5 mi
450 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 3m
★
6 AM
5h 16m
8 AM
5h 43m
10 AM
5h 26m
12 PM
5h 23m
3 PM
5h 27m
5 PM
5h 42m
8 PM
5h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
The drive from Carterville, MO to St. Louis, MO covers 279.5 miles and takes about 5h 16m 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 $43.70 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
139.8 miles from Carterville, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 39m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 16m. Total distance: 279.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 16m highway drive covering 279.5 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 17 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. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 16m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1 miles (I 49 Business; MO 171 / Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 6.9 miles (MO 96; MO 571 / West Central Avenue): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese 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
3
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 49 Business; MO 171 / Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 49 Business; MO 171 / Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining
4
6.9 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
MO 96; MO 571 / West Central Avenue
Continue onto MO 96; MO 571 / West Central Avenue toward MO 96 East, MO 571 South: Carthage
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward MO 96 East, MO 571 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
277.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 11m in
Take the exit toward Jefferson Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 289
Toward Jefferson Avenue
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 |
| Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Officer David Haynes Memorial Highway | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| West Central Avenue | 1.7 mi | 4m |
| South Jefferson Avenue | 1.3 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 St. Louis, 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
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway
13
Continue on I 44
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Officer David Haynes Memorial Highway
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 289
Toward Jefferson Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Jefferson Avenue
16
Turn right onto Market Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Market Street
17
Arrive at destination
Market Street
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 139.8 miles from Carterville, MO, or about 2h 39m 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 61 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.8 miles or 2h 39m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near St. Louis, 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 279.5 miles and 5h 16m.
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 222.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 139.8 mi from Carterville, MO · 2h 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
140 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 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 139.8 miles from Carterville, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 44 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 222.3 miles.
Arriving in St. Louis, MO
The final approach into St. Louis, 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 St. Louis, 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
$43.70 one way
$87.39 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $47.98 | $95.95 |
| premium | $4.89 | $53.79 | $107.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $61.71 | $123.42 |
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: 97.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.9 | 1 | $29.35 | $13.42 |
| Efficient EV | 69.9 | 0 | $24.46 | $11.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.8 | 1 | $39.13 | $17.89 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% 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.
Destination
St. Louis, MO
Late night in St. Louis on Saturday
Local time
3:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Waynesville, MO
140 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
17 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 16m 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 St. Louis, MO covers 279.5 miles and takes about 5h 16m 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 139.8 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 $43.70 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 straightforward 5h 16m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1 miles (I 49 Business; MO 171 / Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 6.9 miles (MO 96; MO 571 / West Central Avenue): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Carterville, MO to St. Louis, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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