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Trip from Castle Point, MO to Carterville, MO

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 27m

Distance

284.2 mi

457 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
5h 14m ★
6 AM
5h 28m
8 AM
5h 55m
10 AM
5h 37m
12 PM
5h 34m
3 PM
5h 38m
5 PM
5h 53m
8 PM
5h 20m

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 Castle Point, MO, MO

Castle Point, MO

Gergely Meszárcsek

Trip Overview

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.

Solo Traveler

5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (16%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

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 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 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 West Use 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 57 Toward 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

city in and the county seat of Pulaski County, Missouri, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waynesville, MO

142 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

Chesterfield, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waynesville, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 142.1 miles from Castle Point, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 218.9 miles.

Arriving in Carterville, MO

The final approach into Carterville, 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 Carterville, 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.

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...

6 mi from route ~16 min detour $19 near mile 9.8
View on nps.gov
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 ~18 min detour Free near mile 225.4
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 near mile 284.2
View on nps.gov

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/gal 25.4 MPG avg 99 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.

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

1:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Carterville, MO

Late night in Carterville on Saturday

Local time

1:57 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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