The drive from Castle Point, MO to Carterville, MO covers 284.2 miles and takes about 5h 27m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor, MO 96, Police Officer Ernest M. Brockman Sr. Memorial Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 218.9 miles on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.43 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
142.1 miles from Castle Point, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 284.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 27m drive with frequent turns across 284.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor is the longest continuous segment at about 218.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near Chambers Road.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 27m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (Chambers Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (MO AC / Halls Ferry Road): Navigation decision point; at 11.7 miles (Arsenal Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|Chambers Road
At end of road, turn right onto Chambers Road
Navigation decision point
4
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in|MO AC / Halls Ferry Road
Turn left onto MO AC / Halls Ferry Road
Navigation decision point
4
11.7 mi into trip|~22m in|Arsenal Street
Turn left onto Arsenal Street
Navigation decision point
6
12.1 mi into trip|~23m in
Take the ramp toward I 44 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 44 West
5
238.1 mi into trip|~4h 30m in
Take the exit toward MO 96: Avilla
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 57
Toward MO 96: Avilla
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
218.9 mi
3h 58m
MO 96
44.6 mi
54m
Police Officer Ernest M. Brockman Sr. Memorial Highway
3.5 mi
4m
Jennings Station Road
3.3 mi
6m
North Skinker Boulevard
2.8 mi
5m
Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
2.7 mi
3m
Halls Ferry Road
1.6 mi
2m
McCausland Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
— 218.9 mi, about 3h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Castle Point, MO and Carterville, MO.
1
Start on Lord Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Lord Drive
2
At end of road, turn right onto Chambers Road
0.4 mi·39 sec·Chambers Road
3
Turn left onto MO AC
1.6 mi·2 min·Halls Ferry Road
4
Turn right onto Jennings Station Road
3.3 mi·6 min·Jennings Station Road
5
Continue on Kienlen Avenue
1.6 mi·2 min·Kienlen Avenue
6
Continue on North Skinker Boulevard
2.8 mi·5 min·North Skinker Boulevard
7
Continue on McCausland Avenue
1.6 mi·2 min·McCausland Avenue
8
Turn left onto Arsenal Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·Arsenal Street
9
Turn right onto Jamieson Avenue
0.1 mi·15 sec·Jamieson Avenue
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 44 WestUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto I 44
0.7 mi·54 sec·Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I 44
2.7 mi·3 min·Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
13
Continue on I 44
3.5 mi·4 min·Police Officer Ernest M. Brockman Sr. Memorial Highway
14
Continue on I 44; US 50
219 mi·3 hr 58 min·Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 57Toward MO 96: Avilla
16
Turn straight onto MO 96
45 mi·54 min·MO 96
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward MO HH: Carterville
18
Turn right onto West Main Street
0.6 mi·1 min·West Main Street
19
Arrive at destination
US Historic 66
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 142.1 miles from Castle Point, MO, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 218.9 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 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.1 miles or 2h 45m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carterville, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Castle Point, 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 Castle Point, MO
This is one driving day of about 284.2 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Castle Point, 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 Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor for about 218.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 142.1 mi from Castle Point, MO
· 2h 45m 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...
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 225.4
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
near mile 284.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.43 one way
$88.86 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$48.78
$97.57
premium
$4.89
$54.69
$109.38
diesel
$5.61
$62.75
$125.50
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: 99.4 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
$29.84
$13.64
Efficient EV
71.1
0
$24.87
$11.37
EV Truck/SUV
113.7
1
$39.79
$18.19
Gas CO2
99 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
Castle Point, MO
Late night
in Castle Point on Saturday
Local time
3:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Carterville, MO
Late night
in Carterville on Saturday
Local time
3:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 27m 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 Castle Point, MO to Carterville, MO covers 284.2 miles and takes about 5h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor, MO 96, Police Officer Ernest M. Brockman Sr. Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 142.1 miles from Castle Point, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.43 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 27m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (Chambers Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (MO AC / Halls Ferry Road): Navigation decision point; at 11.7 miles (Arsenal Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Castle Point, MO to Carterville, 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.
