Origin
St. Louis, MO
Evening in St. Louis on Thursday
Local time
7:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from St. Louis, MO to Esther, MO
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 18m
Distance
64.3 mi
104 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 12m
★
6 AM
1h 18m
8 AM
1h 31m
10 AM
1h 23m
12 PM
1h 21m
3 PM
1h 23m
5 PM
1h 30m
8 PM
1h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Esther, MO
Lena Khrupina
Trip Overview
This straightforward 64.3-mile drive from St. Louis, MO, to Esther, MO, will take you about 1 hour and 18 minutes. It's a quick trip, easily manageable as a day trip, with no need to split the journey. The estimated fuel cost is around $10, making it an economical option for a short hop within the Midwest region. The route is predominantly highway, so you can expect a consistent pace for most of the drive. It's a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 18m. Total distance: 64.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for 95% of this 64.3-mile journey. You'll primarily be on I-55, US-67, and South Tucker Boulevard. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 32.7 miles on I-55, offering a good opportunity to settle into a steady driving rhythm. While mostly a high-speed affair, be prepared for the transition off the interstate as you approach your destination. This drive offers little in the way of winding backroads, prioritizing direct travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 32.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and US 67. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 64.3 miles you will encounter 9 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: at 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
1.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 55 South: Memphis
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 55 South: Memphis
5
1.8 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 55
Merge onto I 55
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
34.5 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Take the exit toward US 67 South: Farmington, Poplar Bluff
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 174B
Toward US 67 South: Farmington, Poplar Bluff
5
34.6 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
34.8 mi into trip
|
~42m in
|
US 67
Enter roundabout onto US 67
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from St. Louis, MO to Esther, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Poplar Bluff along the way.
Poplar Bluff
34.5 mi in
|
~42m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 32.7 mi | 37m |
| US 67 | 27.9 mi | 32m |
| South Tucker Boulevard | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| Saint Joe Drive | 1 mi | 1m |
| Parkway Drive | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Gravois Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Jefferson Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Market Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 32.7 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between St. Louis, MO and Esther, MO.
1
Start on Market Street
86 ft
·
4 sec
·
Market Street
2
Turn left onto South Tucker Boulevard
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
South Tucker Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Turn straight onto Gravois Avenue
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
Gravois Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I 55 South: Memphis
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 55
33 mi
·
37 min
·
I 55
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 174B
Toward US 67 South: Farmington, Poplar Bluff
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
8
Enter roundabout onto US 67
30 ft
·
0 sec
·
US 67
9
Continue on US 67
28 mi
·
32 min
·
US 67
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Toward Parkway Drive
11
Turn right onto Parkway Drive
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
Parkway Drive
12
Turn left onto Saint Joe Drive
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Saint Joe Drive
13
Turn left onto Jefferson Street
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Jefferson Street
14
Arrive at destination
Jefferson Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 32.2 mi from St. Louis, MO · 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 32.2 miles from St. Louis, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Esther, MO
The final approach into Esther, MO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.05 one way
$20.11 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $11.04 | $22.07 |
| premium | $4.89 | $12.37 | $24.75 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.20 | $28.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.3 | 0 | $6.75 | $3.09 |
| Efficient EV | 16.1 | 0 | $5.63 | $2.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.7 | 0 | $9.00 | $4.12 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (64% 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.
Destination
Esther, MO
Evening in Esther on Thursday
Local time
7:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Imperial, MO
32 mi in
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
19 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
1h 18m 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 St. Louis, MO to Esther, MO covers 64.3 miles and takes about 1h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, US 67, South Tucker Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32.2 miles from St. Louis, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.05 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.3 miles you will encounter 9 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: at 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (I 55): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from St. Louis, MO to Esther, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Poplar Bluff along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Gateway Arch National Park and Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park.
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