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Trip from Jefferson City, MO to Maryland Heights, MO

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 19m

Distance

118.6 mi

191 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

24 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 10m ★
6 AM
2h 20m
8 AM
2h 39m
10 AM
2h 27m
12 PM
2h 25m
3 PM
2h 28m
5 PM
2h 38m
8 PM
2h 14m

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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capital city of Missouri, United States and county seat of Cole County

Jefferson City, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Maryland Heights, MO, MO

Maryland Heights, MO

Styves Exantus

Trip Overview

The drive from Jefferson City, MO to Maryland Heights, MO covers 118.6 miles and takes about 2h 19m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, US 54, I 270 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 84 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.54 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.

Midpoint

59.3 miles from Jefferson City, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 19m. Total distance: 118.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 2h 19m drive with frequent turns across 118.6 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 84 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 early in the drive near Jefferson Street.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 118.6 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: near the start (Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point; at 114.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Jefferson Street

Turn right onto Jefferson Street

Navigation decision point

8
114.7 mi into trip | ~2h 13m in

Take the exit toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 232 Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
7
114.9 mi into trip | ~2h 13m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 270 South: Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 270 South: Memphis
7
117.1 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in

Take the exit toward Dorsett Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 17 Toward Dorsett Road
9
117.4 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Central Methodist University, Dorsett Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left / right lanes. Toward Central Methodist University, Dorsett Ro...

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 84 mi 1h 38m
US 54 29.6 mi 32m
I 270 1.7 mi 2m
Dorsett Road 0.9 mi 1m
West McCarty Street 0.6 mi 1m
Schuetz Road 0.2 mi <1m
Fee Fee Road 0.2 mi <1m
Jefferson Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 84 mi, about 1h 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson City, MO and Maryland Heights, MO.

1

Start on East Wall Way

155 ft · 13 sec · East Wall Way
2

Turn right onto Jefferson Street

251 ft · 14 sec · Jefferson Street
3

Turn right onto West McCarty Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · West McCarty Street
4

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward US 54 East, US 63 North: Fulton, Columbia
5

Merge onto US 54; US 63

30 mi · 32 min · US 54; US 63
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 14 sec
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Saint Louis
7

Merge onto I 70; US 40

84 mi · 1 hr 38 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 12 sec
Exit 232 Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 270 South: Memphis Use the slight right lane.
10

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 10 sec · this road
Exit 232 Toward I 270 South: Memphis
11

Merge onto I 270

1.7 mi · 2 min · I 270
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 17 Toward Dorsett Road Use the slight right lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork

189 ft · 6 sec
Toward Central Methodist University, Dorsett Road Use the left / right lanes.
14

Turn slight left onto Dorsett Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · Dorsett Road
Use the left lane.
15

Turn right onto Schuetz Road

0.2 mi · 28 sec · Schuetz Road
16

Turn left onto Fee Fee Road

0.2 mi · 36 sec · Fee Fee Road
17

Arrive at destination

Fee Fee Road

Trip Plan

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59.3 miles from Jefferson City, MO, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84 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 26 miles or 29m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 59.3 miles or 1h 8m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 53m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Maryland Heights, MO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Jefferson City, 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 Jefferson City, MO

This is one driving day of about 118.6 miles and 2h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Jefferson City, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 84 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 59.3 mi from Jefferson City, MO · 1h 8m into the drive

city in Warren County, Missouri, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Warrenton, MO

59 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

Fulton, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Warrenton, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 59.3 miles from Jefferson City, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84 miles.

Arriving in Maryland Heights, MO

The final approach into Maryland Heights, 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 Maryland Heights, MO.

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...

14 mi from route ~36 min detour $19 near mile 118.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.54 one way

$37.08 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $20.36 $40.72
premium $4.89 $22.82 $45.65
diesel $5.61 $26.19 $52.37

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: 41.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

24 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Tesla Supercharger

Lake St Louis, Missouri

Tesla

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

St Peters, Missouri

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Blink Charging Station

O'Fallon, Missouri

Blink

1 DCFC

Tesla Destination Charger

Kingdom City, Missouri

Tesla Destination

1 DCFC

Flying J EV Charging Station

Warrenton, Missouri

Other

1 DCFC

EVgo Charging Station

Wentzville, Missouri

EVgo

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Jefferson City, Missouri

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Jefferson City, Missouri

Tesla

1 DCFC

Other: 9 ChargePoint: 6 Blink: 4 Tesla: 2 EVgo: 2 Tesla Destination: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 35.6 0 $12.45 $5.69
Efficient EV 29.7 0 $10.38 $4.74
EV Truck/SUV 47.4 0 $16.60 $7.59

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Jefferson City, MO

Night in Jefferson City on Thursday

Local time

9:22 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Maryland Heights, MO

Night in Maryland Heights on Thursday

Local time

9:22 PM

CDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

53°F

Warrenton, MO

59 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

16 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 19m 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 Jefferson City, MO to Maryland Heights, MO covers 118.6 miles and takes about 2h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, US 54, I 270. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.3 miles from Jefferson City, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.54 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 118.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point; at 114.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Jefferson City, MO to Maryland Heights, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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