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
Photo: life vibes
The drive from Kirksville, MO to Chesterfield, MO covers 187.6 miles and takes about 3h 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Avenue of the Saints, Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, US 63 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 90.2 miles on Avenue of the Saints. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.49 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
93.8 miles from Kirksville, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
The drive from Kirksville, MO to Chesterfield, MO covers 187.6 miles and takes about 3h 45m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
Merge onto US 61 / Avenue of the Saints
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Boone's Crossing
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Boone's Crossing
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Chesterfield Airport Road
Lane positioning matters here
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Kirksville, MO and Chesterfield, MO.
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 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.
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.
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
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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 90.2 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$28.49 one way
$56.99 round trip
| 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 | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56.3 | 0 | $19.70 | $9.00 |
| Efficient EV | 46.9 | 0 | $16.42 | $7.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75 | 0 | $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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Kirksville on Saturday
Local time
3:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Chesterfield on Saturday
Local time
3:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
57°F
Alton, IL
94 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
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.
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