Origin
Gladstone, MO
Afternoon in Gladstone on Sunday
Local time
3:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
3h 8m
Distance
163.3 mi
263 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jefferson City, MO
life vibes
If you are planning a trip from Gladstone to Jefferson City, expect a straightforward journey covering 163.3 miles. You will spend about 3 hours and 8 minutes on the road, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. Budget approximately $25 for fuel to complete the transit between these two Missouri locations. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, the transition between them feels like a consistent regional experience. While you could easily make the trip in one go, planning for one scheduled stop will help keep you refreshed for the duration of the drive.
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
81.7 miles from Gladstone, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. You will traverse a mix of thoroughfares, including the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, and US 63. With only 19% of the trip spent on highways, the route relies heavily on local roads that shift the pace of your travel. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during the 54.4 miles spent on the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that requires more frequent navigation than a standard highway trek.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
378 ft
Total Descent
683 ft
Highest Point
938 ft
Elevation Range
306 ft
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near MO 1 / North Antioch Road.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 163.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (MO 1 / North Antioch Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.9 miles (US 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto MO 1 / North Antioch Road
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24 toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Kansas City, Sports Complex
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto US 63 Conn
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Between Gladstone, MO and Jefferson City, MO, road signs point toward Kansas City, Sports Complex and Moberly.
Kansas City
Sports Complex
Moberly
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway | 54.4 mi | 58m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 54.3 mi | 58m |
| US 63 | 28.5 mi | 31m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Northeast Chouteau Trafficway | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| North Chouteau Trafficway | 1.7 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Gladstone, MO and Jefferson City, MO.
Start on North Garfield Avenue
Turn right onto Northeast 61st Street
Turn right onto MO 1
Turn left onto Northeast Chouteau Trafficway
Continue on MO 269
Continue on MO 269
Turn left onto East Front Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 435
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 70
Continue on I 70
Continue on I 70
Continue on I 70
Continue on I 70
Continue on I 70; US 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
Continue on I 70; US 40
Continue on I 70; US 40
Continue on I 70; US 40
Take the exit
Turn slight right
Merge onto US 63 Conn
Take the exit
Merge onto US 63
Take the exit onto US 63
Take the exit
Turn left onto West Main Street
Turn right onto Broadway Street
Turn left onto West High Street
Turn right
At end of road, turn left onto East Wall Way
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 3-hour journey, consider departing early in the morning to avoid local traffic congestion. Since the route involves significant local road mileage, stay alert for changing speed limits and intersection turns. One well-timed stop is all you need to maintain your energy levels across the 163.3-mile distance. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule. A concrete tip for this specific drive is to keep your navigation system active, as the transition between the three main highways and local roads can be easy to miss if you aren't watching your exits.
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.
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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.7 miles or 1h 36m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jefferson City, MO than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Gladstone, 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 Gladstone, MO
This is one driving day of about 163.3 miles and 3h 8m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 81.7 mi from Gladstone, MO · 1h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 81.7 miles from Gladstone, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$24.80 one way
$49.61 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $27.34 | $54.69 |
| premium | $4.80 | $30.83 | $61.66 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $36.28 | $72.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49 | 0 | $17.15 | $7.84 |
| Efficient EV | 40.8 | 0 | $14.29 | $6.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.3 | 0 | $22.86 | $10.45 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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 Gladstone on Sunday
Local time
3:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Jefferson City on Sunday
Local time
3:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°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
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.
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