The drive from Saint Charles, MO to Carterville, MO covers 280.7 miles and takes about 5h 20m 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 213.9 miles on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.88 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
140.4 miles from Saint Charles, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 41m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 20m. Total distance: 280.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 20m drive with frequent turns across 280.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 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 213.9 miles.
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.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 280.7 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 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Jefferson Street
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
Navigation decision point
6
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.
8
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
7
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
7
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
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
213.9 mi
3h 52m
MO 96
44.6 mi
54m
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
— 213.9 mi, about 3h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Charles, MO and Carterville, MO.
1
Start on North Second Street
0.2 mi·38 sec·North Second Street
2
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
0.2 mi·44 sec·Jefferson Street
3
Turn left onto MO 94
1.1 mi·2 min·South Fifth Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 70 EastUse the left / straight lanes.
5
Merge onto I 70
2.7 mi·3 min·I 70
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·12 sec
Exit 232Toward I 270: Chicago, MemphisUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·33 sec
Toward I 270 South: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
8
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·10 sec·this road
Exit 232Toward I 270 South: Memphis
9
Merge onto I 270
11 mi·13 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 8Toward Dougherty Ferry RoadUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn right onto Dougherty Ferry Road
2.5 mi·4 min·Dougherty Ferry Road
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on Forest Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·Forest Avenue
13
Turn left onto MO 141
0.7 mi·1 min·MO 141
14
Take the exit
105 ft·3 sec
15
Turn right onto North Highway Drive
0.1 mi·14 sec·North Highway Drive
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·13 sec
Toward I 44 West, US 50 West: Rolla
17
Merge onto I 44; US 50
214 mi·3 hr 52 min·Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 57Toward MO 96: Avilla
19
Turn straight onto MO 96
45 mi·54 min·MO 96
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward MO HH: Carterville
21
Turn right onto West Main Street
0.6 mi·1 min·West Main Street
22
Arrive at destination
US Historic 66
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 140.4 miles from Saint Charles, MO, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 213.9 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 62 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.4 miles or 2h 41m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carterville, 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 280.7 miles and 5h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 213.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 140.4 mi from Saint Charles, MO
· 2h 41m into the drive
The midpoint is around 140.4 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 213.9 miles.
Arriving in Carterville, MO
The final approach into Carterville, 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 Carterville, 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
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 222.7
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 280.7
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.88 one way
$87.77 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$48.18
$96.37
premium
$4.89
$54.02
$108.04
diesel
$5.61
$61.98
$123.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.2
1
$29.47
$13.47
Efficient EV
70.2
0
$24.56
$11.23
EV Truck/SUV
112.3
1
$39.30
$17.96
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Saint Charles, MO
Morning
in Saint Charles on Saturday
Local time
11:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 16 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Carterville, MO
Morning
in Carterville on Saturday
Local time
11:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Waynesville, MO
140 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 20m 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 Saint Charles, MO to Carterville, MO covers 280.7 miles and takes about 5h 20m 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 140.4 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 $43.88 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 is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 280.7 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.
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.
The route from Saint Charles, MO to Carterville, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Wilson's Creek National Battlefield, George Washington Carver National Monument and Gateway Arch National Park.
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.
