Trip from Poplar Bluff, MO to St. Louis, MO

Drive Time

2h 59m

Distance

152.4 mi

245 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 48m ★
6 AM
3h 0m
8 AM
3h 22m
10 AM
3h 8m
12 PM
3h 5m
3 PM
3h 9m
5 PM
3h 21m
8 PM
2h 53m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Poplar Bluff, MO, MO

Poplar Bluff, MO

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

Traveling from Poplar Bluff to St. Louis covers 152.7 miles through the heart of the Missouri Midwest. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 32 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable trip to complete in a single day. You will primarily navigate via North Westwood Boulevard and State Street before transitioning onto I-55 North for the bulk of your journey. With a estimated fuel cost of $23, it is an affordable route that doesn't require an overnight stay. Whether you are heading north for business or a change of scenery, this direct path offers a straightforward transition between these two Missouri locations.

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

76.2 miles from Poplar Bluff, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .

Drive Character

Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you depart Poplar Bluff. While the route eventually connects to I-55 North, the initial segments on North Westwood Boulevard and State Street keep the pace moderate and require frequent navigation. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this journey features a mix of local road maneuvering that evolves as you move toward the highway. Since this route contains no extended, uninterrupted stretches, you will find the driving environment shifts consistently throughout the 2-hour and 32-minute transit. Stay alert during the transition from local streets to the interstate system to ensure a smooth transition.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 60 is the longest continuous segment at about 112.6 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

871 ft 363 ft

Total Climb

731 ft

Total Descent

630 ft

Highest Point

871 ft

~87.1 mi in

Elevation Range

508 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 60 and I 55. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 117 miles in near US 67.

Route Complexity 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Poplar Bluff, MO to St. Louis, MO is easy. At 2h 59m with 88% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 117 miles (US 67): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 117.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 117.7 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 5 key points

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

4
117 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in | US 67

Keep slight right at fork onto US 67

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

4
117.3 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in

Take the exit toward I 55 North: Saint Louis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
3
117.7 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in | I 55

Merge onto I 55

Merge point - match speed before joining

7
150.7 mi into trip | ~2h 55m in

Take the exit toward MO 30 East: Gravois Avenue

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 207A Toward MO 30 East: Gravois Avenue
4
152.4 mi into trip | ~2h 59m in | Market Street

Turn right onto Market Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 60 112.6 mi 2h 9m
I 55 20.5 mi 22m
Rosa Parks Highway 12.5 mi 15m
North Westwood Boulevard 2.9 mi 4m
South Tucker Boulevard 1.3 mi 3m
West Pine Street 0.8 mi 1m
US 67 0.8 mi 1m
State Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 60 — 112.6 mi, about 2h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Poplar Bluff, MO and St. Louis, MO.

1

Start on US 60 Business

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Pine Street
2

Turn right onto US 60 Business; US 67 Business

1.3 mi · 2 min · North Westwood Boulevard
3

Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business

0.3 mi · 25 sec · State Street
4

Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business

1.6 mi · 2 min · North Westwood Boulevard
5

Continue on US 67; US 60 Business

0.4 mi · 37 sec · US 67; US 60 Business
6

Continue on US 60; US 67

113 mi · 2 hr 9 min · US 60; US 67
7

Keep slight right at fork onto US 67

0.3 mi · 27 sec · US 67
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
9

Merge onto I 55

21 mi · 22 min · I 55
10

Continue on I 55

12 mi · 15 min · Rosa Parks Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 207A Toward MO 30 East: Gravois Avenue Use the slight right lane.
12

Turn slight right onto Gravois Avenue

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Gravois Avenue
13

Continue on South Tucker Boulevard

1.3 mi · 3 min · South Tucker Boulevard
14

Turn right onto Market Street

86 ft · 2 sec · Market Street
15

Arrive at destination

Market Street

Trip Plan

Planning your departure is simple since the trip is short enough to offer plenty of schedule flexibility. Aim to clear the local segments on North Westwood Boulevard and State Street before peak traffic hours to keep your transit time close to the 2-hour and 32-minute estimate. With one suggested stop along the way, you can easily pace your drive to avoid fatigue, especially during the more technical, turn-heavy sections near the start. Keep your fuel budget of $23 in mind when planning your refilling strategy, as prices may fluctuate between the smaller town setting of Poplar Bluff and the metropolitan area of St. Louis. A helpful tip is to check your navigation app before leaving the city limits of Poplar Bluff, as the local road navigation can be trickier than the later highway portion.

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 76.2 miles from Poplar Bluff, MO, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.6 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 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 76.2 miles or 1h 29m 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 25m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Poplar Bluff, 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 Poplar Bluff, MO

This is one driving day of about 152.4 miles and 2h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Poplar Bluff, 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 US 60 for about 112.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 76.2 mi from Poplar Bluff, MO · 1h 29m into the drive

Downtown Cahokia, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cahokia, IL

76 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

Campton, IL

Fuel and coffee

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

Campton, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 76.2 miles from Poplar Bluff, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 60 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 112.6 miles.

Arriving in St. Louis, MO

The final approach into St. Louis, 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 St. Louis, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.15 one way

$46.30 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 53 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $25.52 $51.04
premium $4.80 $28.77 $57.54
diesel $5.64 $33.86 $67.72

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 53.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 45.7 0 $16.00 $7.32
Efficient EV 38.1 0 $13.33 $6.10
EV Truck/SUV 61 0 $21.34 $9.75

Gas CO2

53 kg

EV CO2

18 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 data refreshed 7 hours ago

Origin

Poplar Bluff, MO

Afternoon in Poplar Bluff on Sunday

Local time

3:57 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

St. Louis, MO

Afternoon in St. Louis on Sunday

Local time

3:57 PM

CDT

Current temp

59°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

10 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

2h 59m 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 Poplar Bluff, MO to St. Louis, MO covers 152.4 miles and takes about 2h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 60, I 55, Rosa Parks Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.2 miles from Poplar Bluff, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.15 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Poplar Bluff, MO to St. Louis, MO is easy. At 2h 59m with 88% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 117 miles (US 67): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 117.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 117.7 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining.
The route from Poplar Bluff, MO to St. Louis, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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