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Trip from Saint Peters, MO to Caruthersville, MO

Drive Time

4h 3m

Distance

216.6 mi

349 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

Downtown Saint Peters, MO, MO

Saint Peters, MO

Aleksandra Żmuda

Downtown Caruthersville, MO, MO

Caruthersville, MO

Renegade Lenz

Trip Overview

Traveling from Saint Peters to Caruthersville covers 216.6 miles across the Missouri Midwest, typically taking about 4 hours and 3 minutes of drive time. Because this journey is manageable within a single day, you can easily complete it without an overnight stay. You will navigate via I-270, I-70, and the Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway to reach your destination. Budget approximately $33 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Whether you are heading south for business or a change of scenery, this trip offers a straightforward path through the state.

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

108.3 miles from Saint Peters, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a trip defined by a turn-heavy local profile that shifts significantly as you progress. While only 17% of the route consists of highway driving, you will spend the bulk of your time on the Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, which accounts for a 173.9-mile stretch. This transition from interstate travel to more localized roads means the driving experience changes from high-speed transit to a more technical, winding journey. Be prepared to adjust your focus as you move off the main arteries and into the local landscape.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 173.9 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

642 ft 276 ft

Total Climb

633 ft

Total Descent

801 ft

Highest Point

642 ft

~81.2 mi in

Elevation Range

366 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 1.2 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 216.6 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 1.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

8
1.2 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the exit toward MO 79: Elsberry, Louisiana

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 220 Toward MO 79: Elsberry, Louisiana
8
1.3 mi into trip | ~1m in

Keep slight left at fork toward MO 79

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward MO 79
8
13.6 mi into trip | ~17m 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
13.8 mi into trip | ~17m 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
8
33.3 mi into trip | ~41m in

Take the exit toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 1A Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis...

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Saint Peters, MO to Caruthersville, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.

Memphis

13.6 mi in | ~17m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway 173.9 mi 3h 6m
I 270 19 mi 23m
I 70 13 mi 16m
MO 84 5.1 mi 9m
Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway 1.8 mi 2m
Rosa Parks Highway 1.5 mi 1m
MO 79 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway — 173.9 mi, about 3h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Saint Peters, MO and Caruthersville, MO.

1

Start on I 70

1.2 mi · 1 min · I 70
2

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Exit 220 Toward MO 79: Elsberry, Louisiana Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3

Keep slight left at fork

384 ft · 14 sec
Toward MO 79 Use the none lane.
4

Turn left onto MO 79

0.1 mi · 11 sec · MO 79
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 70 East Use the right lane.
6

Merge onto I 70

12 mi · 14 min · I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 12 sec
Exit 232 Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis Use the slight right lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 270 South: Memphis Use the slight right lane.
9

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 10 sec · this road
Exit 232 Toward I 270 South: Memphis
10

Merge onto I 270

19 mi · 23 min · I 270
Use the none lane.
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 27 sec
Exit 1A Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 55 South: Memphis
13

Merge onto I 55

1.5 mi · 1 min · Rosa Parks Highway
Use the none lane.
14

Continue on I 55

1.8 mi · 2 min · Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
15

Continue on I 55

174 mi · 3 hr 6 min · Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
16

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 19 Toward MO 84: Hayti, Caruthersville
17

Turn left onto MO 84

5.1 mi · 9 min · MO 84
18

Turn right

45 ft · 3 sec
19

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a roughly four-hour drive, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the longest stretch of the journey. Departing early in the morning allows you to avoid peak traffic and reach Caruthersville with plenty of daylight left. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 173.9-mile segment on the Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, as service availability may vary compared to the interstate sections. Taking advantage of the route's flexibility means you can pace yourself comfortably, ensuring you arrive at your destination without unnecessary fatigue.

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 108.3 miles from Saint Peters, MO, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 173.9 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 108.3 miles or 2h 3m 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 17m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Saint Peters, 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 Peters, MO

This is one driving day of about 216.6 miles and 4h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Saint Peters, 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 Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway for about 173.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 108.3 mi from Saint Peters, MO · 2h 3m into the drive

Downtown Cahokia, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cahokia, IL

108 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 108.3 miles from Saint Peters, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 173.9 miles.

Arriving in Caruthersville, MO

The final approach into Caruthersville, 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 Caruthersville, 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

$32.90 one way

$65.80 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 76 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $36.27 $72.54
premium $4.80 $40.89 $81.78
diesel $5.64 $48.12 $96.24

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 75.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 65 0 $22.74 $10.40
Efficient EV 54.2 0 $18.95 $8.66
EV Truck/SUV 86.6 1 $30.32 $13.86

Gas CO2

76 kg

EV CO2

25 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Saint Peters, MO

Afternoon in Saint Peters on Sunday

Local time

2:37 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Caruthersville, MO

Afternoon in Caruthersville on Sunday

Local time

2:37 PM

CDT

Current temp

80°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

26 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

4h 3m 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 Peters, MO to Caruthersville, MO covers 216.6 miles and takes about 4h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, I 270, I 70. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 108.3 miles from Saint Peters, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.90 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 14 significant decision points across 216.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Saint Peters, MO to Caruthersville, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 276 ft to 642 ft elevation with about 633 ft of total climbing.

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