Trip from Kirksville, MO to Chesterfield, MO

Drive Time

3h 45m

Distance

187.6 mi

302 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Photo: life vibes

Trip Overview

Traveling from Kirksville to Chesterfield, Missouri, covers 187.6 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes of driving time. Because the trip is relatively straightforward, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to budget for an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $28 on fuel for the journey, making this a budget-friendly way to navigate the Midwest. You will rely on a mix of thoroughfares, specifically the Avenue of the Saints, the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, and US 63. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a functional connection between the two Missouri locales.

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

93.8 miles from Kirksville, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip features a mixed driving profile, balancing high-speed highway travel with more localized segments. About 43% of your journey will be spent on major highways, providing a steady pace for a large portion of the 187.6 miles. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch along the Avenue of the Saints, which spans 90.2 miles of the trip. As you transition between the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and US 63, the road feel shifts, moving from expansive highway driving to the varied conditions typical of regional Missouri transit. Expect the drive to feel efficient, as the route balances faster stretches with the necessary transitions required to reach your destination.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Avenue of the Saints is the longest continuous segment at about 90.2 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

980 ft 472 ft

Total Climb

303 ft

Total Descent

811 ft

Highest Point

980 ft

Elevation Range

508 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 33.5 miles in.

Route Complexity 6/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 187.6 miles you will encounter 18 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: at 33.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.4 miles (US 61 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 185.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

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

33.5 mi into trip | ~40m in

Take the exit toward US 36 East, MO 110 East: Hannibal

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

Toward US 36 East, MO 110 East: Hannibal

95.4 mi into trip | ~1h 54m in | US 61 / Avenue of the Saints

Merge onto US 61 / Avenue of the Saints

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

185.6 mi into trip | ~3h 41m in

Take the exit toward Boone's Crossing

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 17 Toward Boone's Crossing

185.8 mi into trip | ~3h 42m in | Boone's Crossing

Turn right onto Boone's Crossing

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

185.9 mi into trip | ~3h 42m in | Chesterfield Airport Road

Turn left onto Chesterfield Airport Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Avenue of the Saints	90.2 mi	1h 47m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway	52.9 mi	1h 1m
US 63	28.6 mi	32m
V.F.W. Memorial Highway	5.8 mi	6m
North Baltimore Street	4 mi	6m
Veterans Road	2.1 mi	3m
Chesterfield Airport Road	1.2 mi	2m
East Illinois Street	0.6 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Avenue of the Saints — 90.2 mi, about 1h 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kirksville, MO and Chesterfield, MO.

Start on North Franklin Street

0.2 mi · 42 sec · North Franklin Street

Turn right onto East Illinois Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Illinois Street

Turn right onto US 63 Bus

4.0 mi · 6 min · North Baltimore Street

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 21 sec

Toward US 63 South: Macon

Merge onto US 63

29 mi · 32 min · US 63

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 12 sec

Toward US 36 East, MO 110 East: Hannibal

Merge onto US 36; MO 110

53 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

Continue on US 24; US 36; MO 110

5.8 mi · 6 min · V.F.W. Memorial Highway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Toward Veterans Road

Turn right onto Veterans Road

2.1 mi · 3 min · Veterans Road

At end of road, turn left onto County Road 422

279 ft · 6 sec · County Road 422

Continue on Paris Gravel Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Paris Gravel Road

Take the ramp

120 ft · 3 sec

Merge onto US 61

90 mi · 1 hr 47 min · Avenue of the Saints

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Exit 17 Toward Boone's Crossing Use the slight right lane.

Turn right onto Boone's Crossing

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Boone's Crossing

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto Chesterfield Airport Road

1.2 mi · 2 min · Chesterfield Airport Road

Use the none lane.

Turn slight right

212 ft · 7 sec

Toward Baxter Road Use the right lane.

Turn slight right onto Baxter Road

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Baxter Road

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto Old Chesterfield Road

0.2 mi · 40 sec · Old Chesterfield Road

Turn right onto Santa Maria Drive

107 ft · 4 sec · Santa Maria Drive

Arrive at destination

Santa Maria Drive

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 3 hour and 45 minute travel time, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive. Since the route is manageable in a single day, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best, though mid-morning starts can help you avoid any unexpected traffic. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 90.2-mile stretch on the Avenue of the Saints, as service availability can vary compared to more populated areas. By pacing yourself and utilizing the single stop effectively, you can keep the fatigue of a nearly 200-mile drive to a minimum. Staying mindful of the highway-to-local road transitions will ensure you arrive in Chesterfield feeling refreshed and ready for your next move.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 93.8 miles from Kirksville, MO, or about 1h 51m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.2 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 93.8 miles or 1h 51m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 3m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Kirksville, 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 Kirksville, MO

This is one driving day of about 187.6 miles and 3h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Kirksville, 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 90.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 93.8 mi from Kirksville, MO · 1h 51m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Alton, IL

94 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

Quincy, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Quincy, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 93.8 miles from Kirksville, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 90.2 miles.

Arriving in Chesterfield, MO

The final approach into Chesterfield, 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 Chesterfield, 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

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...

21 mi from route ~53 min detour $19 near mile 187.6

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.49 one way

$56.99 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$31.41	$62.82
premium	$4.80	$35.42	$70.83
diesel	$5.64	$41.68	$83.36

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 65.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	56.3	$19.70	$9.00
Efficient EV	46.9	$16.42	$7.50
EV Truck/SUV	75	$26.26	$12.01

Gas CO2

66 kg

EV CO2

22 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Kirksville, MO

Afternoon in Kirksville on Sunday

Local time

1:38 PM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Chesterfield, MO

Afternoon in Chesterfield on Sunday

Local time

1:38 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°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

8 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 45m 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 Kirksville, MO to Chesterfield, MO covers 187.6 miles and takes about 3h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, US 63. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 93.8 miles from Kirksville, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.49 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

The route from Kirksville, MO to Chesterfield, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Kirksville, MO to Chesterfield, MO

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Chesterfield, MO

National Parks Near This Route

Gateway Arch National Park

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Kirksville, MO

Chesterfield, MO

Same local time

8 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 45m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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