Drive Time
1h 34m
Distance
67.9 mi
109 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
Photo: life vibes
The drive from Waynesville, MO to Jefferson City, MO covers 67.9 miles and takes about 1h 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on MO 17, US 54, West McCarty Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 48.1 miles on MO 17. At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.31 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
33.9 miles from Waynesville, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
This is a 1h 34m highway drive covering 67.9 miles, with most of the trip on MO 17 and US 54. The longest continuous stretch is about 48.1 miles on MO 17.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 17 and US 54. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 48.3 miles in near US 54.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 34m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 48.3 miles (US 54): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 67.3 miles (US 50 Business / Missouri Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Merge onto US 54
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Turn right onto US 50 Business / Missouri Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Washington Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto East Wall Way
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MO 17 | 48.1 mi | 1h 8m |
| US 54 | 18.7 mi | 21m |
| West McCarty Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Missouri Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East Wall Way | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| I 44 Business | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Washington Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Waynesville, MO and Jefferson City, MO.
Start on I 44 Business; US Historic 66; MO 17
Turn left onto MO 17
At end of road, turn right onto MO 17
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 54
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right onto US 50 Business
Turn right onto West McCarty Street
Turn left onto Washington Street
Turn right onto East Wall Way
Arrive at 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 67.9 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.9 miles or 49m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jefferson City, MO than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Waynesville, 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 Waynesville, MO
This is one driving day of about 67.9 miles and 1h 34m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 33.9 mi from Waynesville, MO · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 67.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 33.9 miles from Waynesville, 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
$10.31 one way
$20.63 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $11.37 | $22.74 |
| premium | $4.80 | $12.82 | $25.64 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $15.09 | $30.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.4 | 0 | $7.13 | $3.26 |
| Efficient EV | 17 | 0 | $5.94 | $2.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.2 | 0 | $9.51 | $4.35 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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 Waynesville on Saturday
Local time
4:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Jefferson City on Saturday
Local time
4:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
55°F
Quincy, IL
34 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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