Origin
Carthage, MO
Afternoon in Carthage on Sunday
Local time
1:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carthage, MO to St. Louis, MO
Drive Time
5h 4m
Distance
271.4 mi
437 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
Trip Overview
Spanning 271.4 miles across the Missouri heartland, this route from Carthage to St. Louis is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 4 minutes. Because the drive is manageable within a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Expect to spend roughly $41 on fuel, making this a budget-friendly option for travelers crossing the Midwest. The path relies heavily on I-44 and portions of US Historic 66, keeping the navigation simple and predictable. Whether you are heading east for business or a change of scenery, the trip offers a reliable connection between these two Missouri locations. It is an ideal distance for a one-day trek, allowing you to reach your destination by evening without feeling overly exhausted.
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
135.7 miles from Carthage, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 82% of this route is comprised of fast-paced interstate travel. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-44, which features a significant 222.3-mile stretch of uninterrupted driving. While the Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway segments provide a change of scenery, the overall character of the trip is defined by efficient, high-speed transit. The transition from the Carthage area toward the St. Louis metropolitan region remains consistent, favoring steady cruising over technical or winding local roads. Be prepared for a focused drive where the miles roll by quickly, as the interstate design prioritizes speed and directness over the slower pace of secondary highways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 0.1 miles in near US Historic 66; MO 96 / East Central Avenue.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 4m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US Historic 66; MO 96 / East Central Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 38.1 miles (I 44): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 268.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US Historic 66; MO 96 / East Central Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto US Historic 66; MO 96 / East Central Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
38.1 mi into trip
|
~45m in
|
I 44
Merge onto I 44
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
268.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 59m 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
4
269.1 mi into trip
|
~5h in
|
South Jefferson Avenue
Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
270.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 2m in
|
Market Street
Turn right onto Market Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 44 | 222.3 mi | 4h 2m |
| US Historic 66 | 37.1 mi | 43m |
| 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 |
| South Jefferson Avenue | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Market Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| East Central Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 222.3 mi, about 4h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carthage, MO and St. Louis, MO.
1
Start on South Grant Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
South Grant Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto US Historic 66; MO 96
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
East Central Avenue
3
Turn slight left onto US Historic 66; MO 96
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
US Historic 66; MO 96
4
Continue on US Historic 66; MO 37; MO 96
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US Historic 66; MO 37; MO 96
5
Continue on US Historic 66; MO 96
27 mi
·
30 min
·
US Historic 66; MO 96
6
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 44 East: Springfield
7
Merge onto I 44
222 mi
·
4 hr 2 min
·
I 44
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 44
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on I 44
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
10
Continue on I 44
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Officer David Haynes Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 289
Toward Jefferson Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Jefferson Avenue
Use the none lane.
13
Turn right onto Market Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Market Street
Use the none lane.
14
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour journey, plan for at least one substantial stop to break up the long stretch on I-44. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic congestion as you near St. Louis, ensuring a smoother arrival. Since the route is efficient and relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your departure based on your personal schedule. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that 222.3-mile primary interstate segment, as service plazas can occasionally be spaced out. By pacing your rest breaks effectively, you can maintain your energy levels and enjoy a comfortable ride across the state without needing to rush.
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 135.7 miles from Carthage, MO, or about 2h 32m 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 80 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.7 miles or 2h 32m 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 7m
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 Carthage, 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 Carthage, MO
This is one driving day of about 271.4 miles and 5h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Carthage, 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 135.7 mi from Carthage, MO · 2h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
136 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 135.7 miles from Carthage, 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
$41.22 one way
$82.45 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $45.44 | $90.89 |
| premium | $4.80 | $51.23 | $102.47 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $60.30 | $120.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.4 | 1 | $28.50 | $13.03 |
| Efficient EV | 67.9 | 0 | $23.75 | $10.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108.6 | 1 | $38.00 | $17.37 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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
Afternoon in St. Louis on Sunday
Local time
1:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
3 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 4m 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 Carthage, MO to St. Louis, MO covers 271.4 miles and takes about 5h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 44, US Historic 66, Officer Michael Barwick 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 135.7 miles from Carthage, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.22 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 4m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US Historic 66; MO 96 / East Central Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 38.1 miles (I 44): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 268.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Carthage, MO to St. Louis, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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