Origin
Clayton, MO
Late night in Clayton on Monday
Local time
3:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clayton, MO to Jefferson City, MO
Drive Time
2h 31m
Distance
126.5 mi
204 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 21m
★
6 AM
2h 31m
8 AM
2h 52m
10 AM
2h 38m
12 PM
2h 36m
3 PM
2h 39m
5 PM
2h 51m
8 PM
2h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clayton, MO
cottonbro studio
Jefferson City, MO
life vibes
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Clayton to Jefferson City, you are signing up for a 126.5-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 31 minutes. This Midwest route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach the state capital without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $19 for fuel to cover the distance. By utilizing the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, US 54, and the Avenue of the Saints, you will navigate through the heart of Missouri. It is a straightforward excursion that balances highway travel with local road transitions, making it an accessible option for a quick getaway.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
63.2 miles from Clayton, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. While about 26% of your journey consists of highway travel, the remainder of the route requires navigating local roads that demand more attention than a standard interstate cruise. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs early on, covering 61.6 miles along the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. As you transition between the various road types, the character of the drive shifts from high-speed highway segments to more technical local stretches. Be prepared for a dynamic experience that deviates from the monotony of a purely interstate-focused trip.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Wydown Boulevard is one of the defining roads on this drive.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
891 ft
462 ft
Total Climb
646 ft
Total Descent
578 ft
Highest Point
891 ft
~58.4 mi in
Elevation Range
430 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Clayton, MO to Jefferson City, MO is easy. At 2h 31m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Clayton, MO to Jefferson City, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Wydown Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Hanley Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Service Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 64 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Daniel Boone Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Avenue of the Saints | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 70 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dwight D Eisenhower Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Wydown Boulevard
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clayton, MO and Jefferson City, MO.
1
Start on Hillvale Drive
177 ft
·
8 sec
·
Hillvale Drive
2
Turn left onto Wydown Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Wydown Boulevard
3
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Hanley Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
South Hanley Road
4
Turn right onto North Service Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Service Road
5
Continue on I 64 West, US 40 West
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
I 64 West, US 40 West
6
Merge slight left onto Daniel Boone Expressway
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Daniel Boone Expressway
7
Continue on Avenue of the Saints
28 mi
·
33 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
8
Take the exit slight left toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
9
Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
62 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 54: Auxvasse, Mexico, Fulton
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
US 54: Auxvasse, Mexico, Fulton
11
Turn left
30 mi
·
32 min
12
Take the exit slight right toward State Capitol
387 ft
·
18 sec
·
State Capitol
13
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
14
Turn right onto Broadway Street
446 ft
·
26 sec
·
Broadway Street
15
Turn left onto West High Street
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
West High Street
16
Turn right
253 ft
·
25 sec
17
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Wall Way
7 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Wall Way
18
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2.5-hour duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your personal schedule. While you only need to account for one planned stop to complete the trip efficiently, keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the transition between the highway and local roads. Since this is a turn-heavy route, try to avoid driving during peak traffic hours to ensure a smoother transition through the local segments. Use your single stop as an opportunity to stretch and refuel while you are still on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, as the road conditions become more variable once you shift toward US 54.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63.2 miles from Clayton, MO, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.2 miles or 1h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jefferson City, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clayton, 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 Clayton, MO
This is one driving day of about 126.5 miles and 2h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clayton, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63.2 mi from Clayton, MO · 1h 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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 63.2 miles from Clayton, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Jefferson City, MO
The final approach into Jefferson City, 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 Jefferson City, MO.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.21 one way
$38.43 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $21.18 | $42.36 |
| premium | $4.80 | $23.88 | $47.76 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $28.10 | $56.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.9 | 0 | $13.28 | $6.07 |
| Efficient EV | 31.6 | 0 | $11.07 | $5.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.6 | 0 | $17.71 | $8.10 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Jefferson City, MO
Late night in Jefferson City on Monday
Local time
3:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°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
30 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
2h 31m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Clayton, MO to Jefferson City, MO covers 126.5 miles and takes about 2h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Wydown Boulevard, South Hanley Road, North Service Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63.2 miles from Clayton, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.21 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Clayton, MO to Jefferson City, MO is easy. At 2h 31m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Clayton, MO to Jefferson City, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Clayton, MO to Jefferson City, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 462 ft to 891 ft elevation with about 646 ft of total climbing.
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