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Fall Road Trips in Missouri

Routes

30

Avg Distance

431 mi

Avg Drive

8h 16m

Destinations

15

Missouri in the fall offers drives with a drive score range of 7 to 9, with routes averaging 430 miles and nearly 500 minutes. The terrain is mostly flat, with maximum elevations around 976 feet. These routes provide access to state parks, perfect for enjoying the autumn colors across the Show-Me State.

Fuel snapshot for this state

Regular

$4.24/gal

Diesel: $6.28/gal

Typical trip cost

$67–$83

One-way, ~431 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG

CO₂ per trip

~151 kg

ICE vehicle, one-way average

Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-10-19

Climate through the year: Missouri

Missouri peaks at around 90°F in Jul and cools to 40°F / 24°F in Jan. Wettest month is May at ~4.8 in of rain. Table highlights Fall months.

Month High °F Low °F Rain in Snow in
Jan 40 24 2.6 5.7
Feb 46 28 2.2 4.3
Mar 57 37 3.5 2.3
Apr 68 47 4.7 0.2
May 77 58 4.8 —
Jun 86 67 4.5 —
Jul 90 71 3.9 —
Aug 88 69 3.4 —
Sep peak 81 61 3 —
Oct peak 69 49 3.2 —
Nov peak 56 37 3.4 0.9
Dec 45 29 2.5 3.2

Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for MO — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.

Planning Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

We've identified 30 routes in Missouri that work well for fall travel, based on drive quality, typical weather conditions, and distance (averaging 431 miles).
Current regular gas averages $4.24/gallon in Missouri (week of 2026-10-19). Diesel: $6.28/gallon. A typical one-way trip on these routes costs between $67 and $83. Source: US Energy Information Administration.
Across Sep, Oct, Nov, Missouri typically sees daytime highs in the 56–81°F range with about 3.2 in of rain per month on average. Based on NOAA 1991–2020 monthly climate normals.
Drive times and distances come from OSRM routing over real OpenStreetMap road networks. Fuel costs use weekly US Energy Information Administration state-level gas prices. Drive scores factor in elevation profile, road variety, and terrain. EV charging data is sourced from NREL. Climate normals come from NOAA NCEI (1991–2020 reference period). Hazard data comes from FEMA and USGS public feeds.
Yes. Click any route to see its full trip page with turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost estimates, elevation profile, stop suggestions, weather conditions, and more.

Fall Routes

Editor's pick

Saint Joseph, MO → Steele, MO

494.7 mi 9h 12m Score: 7/10 ~$83 fuel

Through: Kansas City → Sports Complex → Memphis

5 tricky spots

This route scores a 7 and spans nearly 500 miles, featuring mostly surface roads and flat terrain. With access to parks, it's a solid choice for leaf-peeping across the state.

Editor's pick

Saint Joseph, MO → Caruthersville, MO

486.6 mi 9h 6m Score: 7/10 ~$81 fuel

Through: Kansas City → Sports Complex → Memphis

5 tricky spots

Another route with a drive score of 7, this trip covers over 480 miles on surface roads through flat landscapes. It also includes access to parks for scenic stops.

Editor's pick

Hayti, MO → Saint Joseph, MO

483 mi 9h 1m Score: 9/10 ~$81 fuel

Through: Chicago → Saint Louis

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Boasting the highest drive score of 9, this 483-mile journey mixes highway and surface roads. Its mostly flat terrain and park access make it a top contender for fall exploration.

Saint Joseph, MO → East Prairie, MO

455.1 mi 8h 32m Score: 7/10 ~$76 fuel

Through: Kansas City → Sports Complex → Memphis

5 tricky spots

Saint Joseph, MO → New Madrid, MO

454.9 mi 8h 32m Score: 7/10 ~$76 fuel

Through: Kansas City → Sports Complex → Memphis

5 tricky spots

Saint Joseph, MO → Clarkton, MO

447 mi 9h Score: 7/10 ~$75 fuel

Through: Joplin → Saint Louis → Poplar Bluff

5 tricky spots

Saint Joseph, MO → Malden, MO

442.4 mi 8h 56m Score: 7/10 ~$74 fuel

Through: Joplin → Saint Louis → Poplar Bluff

5 tricky spots

Bethany, MO → Saint Joseph, MO

438.9 mi 8h 56m Score: 7/10 ~$73 fuel

Through: Downtown → Parkville

5 tricky spots

Saint Joseph, MO → Campbell, MO

437.8 mi 8h 46m Score: 7/10 ~$73 fuel

Through: Joplin → Saint Louis → Poplar Bluff

5 tricky spots

Independence, MO → Kennett, MO

435.4 mi 8h 9m Score: 7/10 ~$73 fuel

Through: Memphis

5 tricky spots

Steele, MO → Lee's Summit, MO

434.4 mi 8h 9m Score: 9/10 ~$72 fuel

Through: Chicago → Saint Louis

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Kansas City, MO → Caruthersville, MO

428.9 mi 8h 4m Score: 7/10 ~$72 fuel

Through: Memphis

5 tricky spots

New York, MO → Malden, MO

428.6 mi 8h 24m Score: 9/10 ~$72 fuel

Through: Memphis → Poplar Bluff

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Steele, MO → East Independence, MO

427.8 mi 8h 3m Score: 9/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: Chicago → Saint Louis

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Caruthersville, MO → Lee's Summit, MO

426.2 mi 8h 3m Score: 9/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: Chicago → Saint Louis

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Oran, MO → Saint Joseph, MO

425.1 mi 8h 8m Score: 9/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: Chicago → Saint Louis

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Independence, MO → Caruthersville, MO

421.6 mi 7h 56m Score: 8/10 ~$70 fuel

Through: Memphis

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Caruthersville, MO → East Independence, MO

419.6 mi 7h 57m Score: 9/10 ~$70 fuel

Through: Chicago → Saint Louis

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Independence, MO → Hayti, MO

417.5 mi 7h 48m Score: 8/10 ~$70 fuel

Through: Memphis

5 tricky spots High drive quality

East Independence, MO → Clarkton, MO

416.4 mi 8h 4m Score: 7/10 ~$69 fuel

Through: Memphis → Poplar Bluff → Bloomfield

5 tricky spots

Hayti, MO → East Independence, MO

415.7 mi 7h 50m Score: 9/10 ~$69 fuel

Through: Chicago → Saint Louis

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Scott City, MO → Saint Joseph, MO

412.4 mi 7h 46m Score: 9/10 ~$69 fuel

Through: Chicago → Saint Louis

5 tricky spots High drive quality

New York, MO → Lilbourn, MO

412 mi 7h 59m Score: 9/10 ~$69 fuel

Through: Memphis

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Blue Springs, MO → Caruthersville, MO

411.9 mi 7h 44m Score: 8/10 ~$69 fuel

Through: Memphis

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Independence, MO → Malden, MO

411.2 mi 7h 52m Score: 8/10 ~$69 fuel

Through: Memphis → Poplar Bluff

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Saint Joseph, MO → Poplar Bluff, MO

410.4 mi 8h 5m Score: 7/10 ~$68 fuel

Through: Joplin → Saint Louis

5 tricky spots

East Independence, MO → Malden, MO

408.9 mi 7h 52m Score: 8/10 ~$68 fuel

Through: Memphis → Poplar Bluff

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Doniphan, MO → Saint Joseph, MO

406.7 mi 8h 8m Score: 7/10 ~$68 fuel

Through: Downtown → Parkville

5 tricky spots

Kansas City, MO → Kennett, MO

404.3 mi 8h 13m Score: 7/10 ~$67 fuel

Through: Saint Louis → Poplar Bluff

5 tricky spots

Blue Springs, MO → Bethany, MO

404 mi 7h 50m Score: 8/10 ~$67 fuel

Through: Memphis → Poplar Bluff → Bloomfield

5 tricky spots High drive quality

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