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Trip from Jefferson City, MO to University City, MO

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 32m

Distance

127.9 mi

206 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 22m ★
6 AM
2h 32m
8 AM
2h 53m
10 AM
2h 39m
12 PM
2h 37m
3 PM
2h 40m
5 PM
2h 52m
8 PM
2h 26m

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

city in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States

University City, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Jefferson City, MO to University City, MO covers 127.9 miles and takes about 2h 32m 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, Avenue of the Saints for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 61.9 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.00 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

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

64 miles from Jefferson City, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 61.9 mi 1h 11m
US 54 29.6 mi 32m
Avenue of the Saints 27.7 mi 33m
Daniel Boone Expressway 4.9 mi 6m
South Big Bend Boulevard 2 mi 4m
West McCarty Street 0.6 mi 1m
US 40 0.3 mi <1m
Delmar Boulevard 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 61.9 mi, about 1h 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson City, MO and University City, 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

62 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8

Take the exit onto US 40

0.3 mi · 33 sec · US 40
Exit 210A Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
9

Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61

28 mi · 33 min · Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10

Continue on I 64; US 40

4.9 mi · 6 min · Daniel Boone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 33A Toward Big Bend Boulevard Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

131 ft · 10 sec
Toward Big Bend Boulevard, Fontbonne University Use the left / right lanes.
13

Turn left onto South Big Bend Boulevard

2.0 mi · 4 min · South Big Bend Boulevard
14

At end of road, turn right onto Delmar Boulevard

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Delmar Boulevard
15

Enter roundabout onto Delmar Boulevard

94 ft · 1 sec · Delmar Boulevard
16

Continue on Delmar Boulevard

523 ft · 16 sec · Delmar Boulevard
17

Turn right onto Kingsland Avenue

98 ft · 6 sec · Kingsland Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
18

Continue on Kingsland Avenue

173 ft · 12 sec · Kingsland Avenue
19

Arrive at destination

Kingsland Avenue

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64 miles from Jefferson City, MO, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.9 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 28 miles or 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 64 miles or 1h 13m 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 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near University City, 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 127.9 miles and 2h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Jefferson City, 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.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 61.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in St. Charles County, Missouri, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wentzville, MO

64 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Warrenton, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 64 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 61.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Havana's Cuisine Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St. Louis, Missouri

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 127.9

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13143125005

Visit website

Havana's Cuisine Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 127.9

St. Louis, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13143125005

Visit website

Slim Chickens

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 127.9

St. Louis, Missouri

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+13149327723

Visit website

Chuck-A-Burger Drive-In Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 127.9

St. Louis, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13144279524

Visit website

Russell's on Macklind

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30 mile 127.9

St. Louis, Missouri

Hours: 5–9 pm

+13145539994

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Jefferson City, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 91.4

Wentzville, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

Jefferson City, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Flying J EV Charging Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 73.1

Warrenton, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16364562001

Visit website

EVXY Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 100.5

O'Fallon, Missouri

+18554382474

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Jefferson City, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 27.4

Kingdom City, Missouri

+15733106020

Visit website

Ionna Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 73.1

Warrenton, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18334662474

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 127.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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

Turn right onto Jefferson Street

Navigation decision point

6
92.6 mi into trip | ~1h 46m in | US 40

Take the exit onto US 40 toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield

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

Exit 210A Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Ches...
7
125.5 mi into trip | ~2h 26m in

Take the exit toward Big Bend Boulevard

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 33A Toward Big Bend Boulevard
9
125.6 mi into trip | ~2h 26m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Big Bend Boulevard, Fontbonne University

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

Use the left / right lanes. Toward Big Bend Boulevard, Fontbonne University
7
127.9 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in | Kingsland Avenue

Turn right onto Kingsland Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.00 one way

$39.99 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 45 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $21.95 $43.91
premium $4.89 $24.61 $49.23
diesel $5.61 $28.24 $56.48

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 44.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 38.4 0 $13.43 $6.14
Efficient EV 32 0 $11.19 $5.12
EV Truck/SUV 51.2 0 $17.91 $8.19

Gas CO2

45 kg

EV CO2

15 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Jefferson City, MO

Afternoon in Jefferson City on Saturday

Local time

12:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

University City, MO

Afternoon in University City on Saturday

Local time

12:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

58°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

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 32m 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.

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...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour $19 near mile 127.9
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

127.9 mi in 2h 32m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.

Only 27% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.9 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Jefferson Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 127.9 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point; at 92.6 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 32m. Total distance: 127.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 61.9 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at University City, MO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point; at 92.6 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at University City, MO before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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