The drive from Oakville, MO to Carthage, MO covers 266.6 miles and takes about 5h behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor, MO 96, I 270 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 217.1 miles on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.68 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
133.3 miles from Oakville, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h. Total distance: 266.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (17%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 5h drive with frequent turns across 266.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor is the longest continuous segment at about 217.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Cliff Cave Road.
Driving Effort5/10
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 266.6 miles you will encounter 13 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 (Cliff Cave Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles (I 255; US 50): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 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|Cliff Cave Road
Turn left onto Cliff Cave Road
Navigation decision point
5
2.1 mi into trip|~5m in|I 255; US 50
Merge onto I 255; US 50
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
10.1 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward I 44 West, US 50 West: Tulsa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 5B
Toward I 44 West, US 50 West: Tulsa
7
11.3 mi into trip|~17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 44 West: Tulsa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 5B
Toward I 44 West: Tulsa
5
11.4 mi into trip|~18m in|I 44; US 50 / Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
Merge onto I 44; US 50 / Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
217.1 mi
3h 56m
MO 96
37.3 mi
44m
I 270
5.9 mi
7m
I 255
2.2 mi
2m
Telegraph Road
1.7 mi
3m
Howard Street
0.2 mi
<1m
East 4th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Cliff Cave Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
— 217.1 mi, about 3h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oakville, MO and Carthage, MO.
1
Start on this road
120 ft·13 sec·this road
2
Turn left
130 ft·15 sec
3
Turn left onto Cliff Cave Road
171 ft·7 sec·Cliff Cave Road
4
Turn slight right
160 ft·3 sec
Toward MO 231
5
Turn slight right onto MO 231
1.7 mi·3 min·Telegraph Road
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·55 sec
Toward I 255 West, US 50 West: Memphis
7
Merge onto I 255; US 50
2.2 mi·2 min·I 255; US 50
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on I 270
5.9 mi·7 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 5BToward I 44 West, US 50 West: TulsaUse the right lane.
10
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·22 sec·this road
Exit 275Toward Soccer Park Road, North Highway Drive
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·9 sec
Exit 5BToward I 44 West: Tulsa
12
Merge onto I 44; US 50
217 mi·3 hr 56 min·Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 57Toward MO 96: Avilla
14
Turn straight onto MO 96
37 mi·44 min·MO 96
15
Turn left onto Howard Street
0.2 mi·43 sec·Howard Street
16
Turn right onto East 4th Street
260 ft·13 sec·East 4th Street
17
Turn right onto South Grant Street
152 ft·4 sec·South Grant Street
18
Arrive at destination
South Grant Street
Trip Plan
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 133.3 miles from Oakville, MO, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 217.1 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 59 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.3 miles or 2h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carthage, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Oakville, 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 Oakville, MO
This is one driving day of about 266.6 miles and 5h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Oakville, 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 Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor for about 217.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 133.3 mi from Oakville, MO
· 2h 30m into the drive
The midpoint is around 133.3 miles from Oakville, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 217.1 miles.
Arriving in Carthage, MO
The final approach into Carthage, 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 Carthage, MO.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
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.
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 220.6
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...
The young child known as the "Plant Doctor" tended his secret garden while observing the day-to-day operations of a 19th century farm. Nature and nurture ultimately influenced George on his quest for...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 266.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.68 one way
$83.36 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$45.76
$91.53
premium
$4.89
$51.30
$102.61
diesel
$5.61
$58.86
$117.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80
0
$27.99
$12.80
Efficient EV
66.7
0
$23.33
$10.66
EV Truck/SUV
106.6
1
$37.32
$17.06
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Oakville, MO
Morning
in Oakville on Friday
Local time
10:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Carthage, MO
Morning
in Carthage on Friday
Local time
10:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Cuba, MO
133 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
27 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
5h on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Oakville, MO to Carthage, MO covers 266.6 miles and takes about 5h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor, MO 96, I 270. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 133.3 miles from Oakville, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.68 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 266.6 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Cliff Cave Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles (I 255; US 50): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Oakville, MO to Carthage, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Wilson's Creek National Battlefield, Gateway Arch National Park and George Washington Carver National Monument.
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.
