Drive Time
29m
Distance
22.2 mi
36 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
Photo: Amicia Short
The drive from Chesterfield, MO to St. Louis, MO covers 22.2 miles and takes about 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Avenue of the Saints, Jack Buck Memorial Highway, Daniel Boone Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 9.4 miles on Avenue of the Saints. At current regular gas prices, budget about $3.37 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
11.1 miles from Chesterfield, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 14m into the drive .
Expect a 29m drive with frequent turns across 22.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
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 early in the drive near Old Chesterfield Road.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 29m 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: near the start (Old Chesterfield Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.6 miles (I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto Old Chesterfield Road
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward 14th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto South 14th Street
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 9.4 mi | 11m |
| Jack Buck Memorial Highway | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| Daniel Boone Expressway | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| South 14th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Baxter Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Market Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Old Chesterfield Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Santa Maria Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Chesterfield, MO and St. Louis, MO.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 22.2 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.1 miles or 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near St. Louis, MO than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Chesterfield, 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 Chesterfield, MO
This is one driving day of about 22.2 miles and 29m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.1 mi from Chesterfield, MO · 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
11 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.
A short stop after about 22.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 11.1 miles from Chesterfield, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$3.37 one way
$6.74 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $3.72 | $7.43 |
| premium | $4.80 | $4.19 | $8.38 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.93 | $9.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.7 | 0 | $2.33 | $1.07 |
| Efficient EV | 5.6 | 0 | $1.94 | $0.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.9 | 0 | $3.11 | $1.42 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Chesterfield on Saturday
Local time
3:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in St. Louis on Saturday
Local time
3:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
56°F
East Saint Louis, IL
11 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Chesterfield, MO or browse trips ending in St. Louis, MO.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.
Explore maps for Chesterfield, MO or St. Louis, MO on MapSof.net.
