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...
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29m
Distance
22.2 mi
36 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chesterfield, MO
life vibes
If you are planning a quick excursion from Chesterfield to St. Louis, you are looking at a brief 22.2-mile journey that typically takes about 29 minutes to complete. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day outing, requiring no overnight stays or complex logistics. You can expect to spend approximately $3 on fuel for the trip, making it a very budget-friendly transit within the Midwest. While the distance is short, you will navigate a mix of major routes including the Avenue of the Saints, the Jack Buck Memorial Highway, and the Daniel Boone Expressway. Because the entire route remains within Missouri, the transition between these two points is seamless and straightforward.
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 turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. With only 26% of the journey spent on highways, you will spend most of your time navigating local stretches that keep the pace varied. Your longest uninterrupted segment is a 9.4-mile stretch along the Avenue of the Saints, which offers a brief respite from the more frequent turns found elsewhere. The road’s personality shifts as you move between these thoroughfares, requiring you to stay alert through the transition points. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that gets you from the suburbs to the city center efficiently.
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.
Start on Santa Maria Drive
Turn left onto Old Chesterfield Road
Turn right onto Baxter Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
Continue on I 64; US 40
Continue on I 64; US 40
Take the exit
Turn left onto South 14th Street
Turn right onto Market Street
Arrive at destination
Since this is a short 29-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though you should account for local traffic patterns typical of the region. There are no mandatory stops required for this 22.2-mile distance, allowing you to head straight to your destination without needing to refuel or rest. Keep in mind that with zero scheduled stops, your biggest priority is simply timing your departure to avoid peak congestion. A practical tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the transition points between the Daniel Boone Expressway and the Jack Buck Memorial Highway before you head out, as the frequent turns require quick decision-making.
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Chesterfield on Sunday
Local time
4:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Afternoon in St. Louis on Sunday
Local time
4:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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