Summer Road Trips in Missouri

Routes

Avg Distance

427 mi

Avg Drive

8h 12m

Destinations

Methodology

Routes filtered by drive score and typical seasonal conditions. Historical hazard counts pulled from FEMA disaster declarations and USGS seismic feeds; monthly weather context from NOAA 1991–2020 normals.

Data sources: OSRM • NOAA NCEI climate normals • FEMA OpenFEMA • USGS Earthquake Hazards • EIA weekly fuel survey

Last reviewed

Jul 19, 2026

0 seconds ago

Curated by the US Trip Planner editorial team.
Not sponsored; no affiliate links on this page.

Summer in Missouri means long days perfect for exploring its diverse landscapes. With 30 routes averaging 427 miles and nearly 9 hours, you can cover a lot of ground. The drives here feature mostly flat terrain with max elevations around 950 feet. Many routes also offer access to parks, making them ideal for summer adventures.

Fuel snapshot for this state

Regular

$3.75/gal

Diesel: $4.80/gal

Typical trip cost

$59–$73

One-way, ~427 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG

CO₂ per trip

~149 kg

ICE vehicle, one-way average

Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-07-13

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 Summer 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 peak	86	67	4.5	—
Jul peak	90	71	3.9	—
Aug peak	88	69	3.4	—
Sep	81	61	3	—
Oct	69	49	3.2	—
Nov	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

Carry extra water — summer heat in the car and at rest stops dehydrates faster than you think.
Start drives early or late to avoid peak afternoon heat, especially through desert or plains stretches.
Check your tire pressure before long summer drives — hot pavement increases blowout risk with underinflated tires.

Frequently Asked Questions

We've identified 30 routes in Missouri that work well for summer travel, based on drive quality, typical weather conditions, and distance (averaging 427 miles).

Current regular gas averages $3.75/gallon in Missouri (week of 2026-07-13). Diesel: $4.80/gallon. A typical one-way trip on these routes costs between $59 and $73. Source: US Energy Information Administration.

Across Jun, Jul, Aug, Missouri typically sees daytime highs in the 86–90°F range with about 3.9 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.

Summer Routes

Explore More

Missouri Trips Scenic drives in Missouri