Trip from Saint Charles, MO to Cabool, MO

Drive Time

3h 28m

Distance

172.6 mi

278 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

3h 16m ★

6 AM

3h 28m

8 AM

3h 53m

10 AM

3h 37m

12 PM

3h 34m

3 PM

3h 38m

5 PM

3h 51m

8 PM

3h 21m

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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Saint Charles, MO

SHAHBAZ ZAMAN

Cabool, MO

Collab Media

Trip Overview

Traveling from Saint Charles to Cabool covers 172.6 miles of Missouri terrain, typically requiring about 3 hours and 28 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a relatively short trek across the Midwest, you can easily complete it as a one-day trip without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor, North Bishop Avenue, and I-270. With a fuel budget of approximately $26, the trip is quite economical for a solo traveler or a small group. This route is ideal if you prefer a direct drive between these two Missouri points, offering a straightforward connection that avoids the need for complex multi-day planning.

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

86.3 miles from Saint Charles, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention compared to a standard interstate cruise. Although the route features a 9% highway share, much of your time will be spent on winding, non-highway roads that give the trip a more technical feel. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 86.4 miles along the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor, where you can settle into a steady rhythm. As you transition from the Saint Charles area toward Cabool, the road character shifts from suburban connectivity to the more localized, curving paths characteristic of the region. Stay alert through the turns, as the road surface and geometry will vary significantly throughout the journey.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 26 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 86.4 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,287 ft 491 ft

Total Climb

796 ft

Total Descent

0 ft

Highest Point

1,287 ft

~172.6 mi in

Elevation Range

796 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Jefferson Street.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 172.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (MO 94 / South Fifth Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

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

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

Turn right onto Jefferson Street

Navigation decision point

0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | MO 94 / South Fifth Street

Turn left onto MO 94 / South Fifth Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

4.3 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the exit toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 232 Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis

4.5 mi into trip | ~8m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 270 South: Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 270 South: Memphis

16 mi into trip | ~22m in

Take the exit toward Dougherty Ferry Road

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 8 Toward Dougherty Ferry Road

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Saint Charles, MO to Cabool, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Mo E: Rolla along the way.

Mo E: Rolla

107.2 mi in | ~2h 5m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor	86.4 mi	1h 34m
North Bishop Avenue	64.3 mi	1h 20m
I 270	10.9 mi	13m
I 70	2.7 mi	3m
Dougherty Ferry Road	2.5 mi	4m
South Fifth Street	1.1 mi	2m
Forest Avenue	1 mi	2m
MO 141	0.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor — 86.4 mi, about 1h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Saint Charles, MO and Cabool, MO.

Start on North Second Street

0.2 mi · 38 sec · North Second Street

Turn right onto Jefferson Street

0.2 mi · 44 sec · Jefferson Street

Turn left onto MO 94

1.1 mi · 2 min · South Fifth Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 14 sec

Toward I 70 East Use the left / straight lanes.

Merge onto I 70

2.7 mi · 3 min · I 70

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 12 sec

Exit 232 Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 33 sec

Toward I 270 South: Memphis Use the slight right lane.

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 10 sec · this road

Exit 232 Toward I 270 South: Memphis

Merge onto I 270

11 mi · 13 min · I 270

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 28 sec

Exit 8 Toward Dougherty Ferry Road Use the slight right lane.

Turn right onto Dougherty Ferry Road

2.5 mi · 4 min · Dougherty Ferry Road

Use the straight lane.

Continue on Forest Avenue

1.0 mi · 2 min · Forest Avenue

Turn left onto MO 141

0.7 mi · 1 min · MO 141

Take the exit

105 ft · 3 sec

Turn right onto North Highway Drive

0.1 mi · 14 sec · North Highway Drive

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 13 sec

Toward I 44 West, US 50 West: Rolla

Merge onto I 44; US 50

86 mi · 1 hr 34 min · Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec

Exit 185 Toward MO E: Rolla

Enter roundabout onto MO E

294 ft · 5 sec · Tim Bradley Way

Continue on MO E

0.4 mi · 48 sec · Tim Bradley Way

Use the left / none lanes.

Turn slight right onto I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63

30 ft · 0 sec · North Bishop Avenue

Keep slight right at fork onto I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63

145 ft · 2 sec · North Bishop Avenue

Continue on I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63

64 mi · 1 hr 20 min · North Bishop Avenue

Use the left / straight lanes.

Turn right onto US 60 Business

0.5 mi · 59 sec · US 60 Business

Use the right lane.

Turn right

120 ft · 8 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this drive clocks in under four hours, you have the flexibility to depart at your leisure, though heading out mid-morning helps avoid peak traffic near Saint Charles. Plan for at least one stop to break up the 172.6-mile journey and keep your focus sharp on the more technical sections. Given the $26 fuel estimate, topping off your tank before leaving Saint Charles is a smart way to ensure you don't have to hunt for gas stations during the longer 86.4-mile stretch. Since the route relies heavily on local roads, keep your navigation app handy to manage the frequent turns effectively. Embrace the shorter duration by using your one planned stop to stretch your legs, as the winding nature of the drive can be more physically demanding than a straight highway run.

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 86.3 miles from Saint Charles, MO, or about 1h 42m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.4 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 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 86.3 miles or 1h 42m 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 48m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Saint Charles, 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 Saint Charles, MO

This is one driving day of about 172.6 miles and 3h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Saint Charles, 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 86.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 86.3 mi from Saint Charles, MO · 1h 42m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cahokia, IL

86 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

Cahokia, IL

Fuel and coffee

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

Cahokia, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 86.3 miles from Saint Charles, 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 86.4 miles.

Arriving in Cabool, MO

The final approach into Cabool, 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 Cabool, MO.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.22 one way

$52.43 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 60 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$28.90	$57.80
premium	$4.80	$32.58	$65.17
diesel	$5.64	$38.35	$76.69

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 60.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	51.8	$18.12	$8.28
Efficient EV	43.2	$15.10	$6.90
EV Truck/SUV	69	$24.16	$11.05

Gas CO2

60 kg

EV CO2

20 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 1 day ago

Origin

Saint Charles, MO

Afternoon in Saint Charles on Sunday

Local time

2:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Slight Chance Rain Showers

SE 8 mph 23% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Destination

Cabool, MO

Afternoon in Cabool on Sunday

Local time

2:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms

S 9 mph 23% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

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

2 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 28m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Saint Charles, MO to Cabool, MO covers 172.6 miles and takes about 3h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor, North Bishop Avenue, I 270. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 86.3 miles from Saint Charles, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.22 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.

On the drive from Saint Charles, MO to Cabool, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Mo E: Rolla along the way.

Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 491 ft to 1,287 ft elevation with about 796 ft of total climbing.

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Return Trip

Cabool, MO to Saint Charles, MO

Plan the drive back the other way.

174.9 mi 3h 28m

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Trip from Saint Charles, MO to Cabool, MO

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Cabool, MO

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Saint Charles, MO

Cabool, MO

Same local time

2 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 28m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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