Drive Time
1h 27m
Distance
76.7 mi
124 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
Photo: life vibes
The drive from Union, MO to Jefferson City, MO covers 76.7 miles and takes about 1h 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East Park Avenue, North Christina Avenue, West Springfield Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.65 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
38.4 miles from Union, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 43m into the drive .
Expect a 1h 27m drive with frequent turns across 76.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Union, MO to Jefferson City, MO is easy. At 1h 27m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Union, MO to Jefferson City, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Park Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Christina Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Springfield Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Hoover Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Route 605 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Route 604 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Loose Creek Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Wolf Ridge Trail | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Union, MO and Jefferson City, MO.
Start on the route
Turn left onto East Park Avenue
Turn left onto North Christina Avenue
Continue on North Christina Avenue
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Springfield Avenue
Turn left onto Hoover Avenue
Turn right
Continue straight
Turn right onto County Route 605
Turn right onto County Route 604
Continue on Loose Creek Highway
Turn left onto Wolf Ridge Trail
Turn right
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
Turn left onto West McCarty Street
Turn right onto Washington Street
Turn right onto East Wall Way
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 76.7 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.4 miles or 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jefferson City, MO than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Union, 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 Union, MO
This is one driving day of about 76.7 miles and 1h 27m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38.4 mi from Union, MO · 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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.
A short stop after about 76.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 38.4 miles from Union, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Jefferson City, 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 Jefferson City, MO.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$11.65 one way
$23.30 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $12.84 | $25.69 |
| premium | $4.80 | $14.48 | $28.96 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.04 | $34.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23 | 0 | $8.05 | $3.68 |
| Efficient EV | 19.2 | 0 | $6.71 | $3.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.7 | 0 | $10.74 | $4.91 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Union on Saturday
Local time
2:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Jefferson City on Saturday
Local time
2:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
59°F
Cahokia, IL
38 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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