This 229-mile drive from Appleton City, MO to O'Fallon, MO will take you approximately 4 hours and 51 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and MO 52, this route offers a mixed driving experience and is well-suited for a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $35, it's an economical option for exploring Missouri. You'll spend about 37% of your time on highways, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 90 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. This journey through the Midwest is straightforward and efficient, making it a practical choice for your travel plans.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
114.6 miles from Appleton City, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
90 mi
1h 46m
MO 52
54.8 mi
1h 24m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
45.3 mi
48m
US 65
30.3 mi
38m
West 4th Street
3.8 mi
6m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.9 mi
2m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi
1m
South Main Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 90 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,340 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,883
Quietest
1 AM
~235 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Appleton City, MO and O'Fallon, MO.
1
Start on North Walnut Street
13 ft·5 sec·North Walnut Street
2
Turn left onto MO 52
3.8 mi·6 min·West 4th Street
3
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 52
3.0 mi·5 min·MO 52
4
Keep slight right at fork onto MO 52
12 mi·21 min·MO 52
5
Take the ramp onto MO 52
9.2 mi·12 min·MO 52
Toward MO 13 North, MO 52 East: Clinton
6
Take the exit onto MO 52
0.3 mi·52 sec·MO 52
Toward MO 52 West: Calhoun, Windsor
7
At end of road, turn right onto MO 52
30 mi·44 min·MO 52
8
Turn left onto US 65
30 mi·38 min·US 65
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·39 sec
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
10
Merge onto I 70; US 40
23 mi·24 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi·24 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
15
Continue on I 70; US 40
88 mi·1 hr 44 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward MO K: O'FallonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto Drennen Parkway
150 ft·3 sec·Drennen Parkway
Toward MO K: O'Fallon
18
Keep slight right at fork onto Drennen Parkway
166 ft·5 sec·Drennen Parkway
Toward MO K: O'Fallon
19
Turn slight left
62 ft·2 sec
Toward MO K: O'Fallon
20
Continue on South Main Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Main Street
21
Turn right
25 ft·1 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 51-minute duration, departing Appleton City in the morning is recommended to allow ample time for your destination. With only one implied stop needed for this 229-mile trip, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest 90-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The estimated fuel cost of $35 is a good budget point. Since this is a manageable day trip, you can depart at your leisure, but an early start provides the most flexibility for unexpected delays or a spontaneous roadside break.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 114.6 miles from Appleton City, MO, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90 miles.
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 50 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.6 miles or 2h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near O'Fallon, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Appleton City, 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 Appleton City, MO
This is one driving day of about 229.1 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Appleton City, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 90 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 18.9 and 228.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
18.9 mi into trip|~33m in|MO 52
Take the ramp onto MO 52 toward MO 13 North, MO 52 East: Clinton
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MO 13 North, MO 52 East: Clinton
5
28.1 mi into trip|~45m in|MO 52
Take the exit onto MO 52 toward MO 52 West: Calhoun, Windsor
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MO 52 West: Calhoun, Windsor
5
28.4 mi into trip|~46m in|MO 52
At end of road, turn right onto MO 52
Navigation decision point
6
228.1 mi into trip|~4h 49m in
Take the exit toward MO K: O'Fallon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward MO K: O'Fallon
6
228.5 mi into trip|~4h 49m in|Drennen Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto Drennen Parkway toward MO K: O'Fallon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward MO K: O'Fallon
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.83 one way
$67.67 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$37.35
$74.70
premium
$4.72
$42.54
$85.07
diesel
$4.80
$43.26
$86.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.7
0
$24.06
$11.00
Efficient EV
57.3
0
$20.05
$9.16
EV Truck/SUV
91.6
1
$32.07
$14.66
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Appleton City, MO
Late night
in Appleton City on Sunday
Local time
5:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
O'Fallon, MO
Late night
in O'Fallon on Sunday
Local time
5:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
W 8 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
91°F
Columbia, MO
115 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
5 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 51m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied driving experience on this 229-mile journey. While 37% of the route involves highway driving, you'll also encounter stretches on state routes like MO 52. The longest continuous segment is 90 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, offering a chance to settle in. The 'mixed drive' profile suggests you'll transition between faster-paced highway sections and potentially more local road segments as you progress toward O'Fallon. This blend means you won't be stuck in a monotonous interstate grind, but rather experience a dynamic drive across Missouri.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 18.9 miles in near MO 52.
Driving Effort6/10
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 229.1 miles you will encounter 14 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 18.9 miles (MO 52): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.1 miles (MO 52): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.4 miles (MO 52): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
893 ft546 ft
Total Climb
348 ft
Total Descent
673 ft
Highest Point
893 ft
~49.1 mi in
Elevation Range
347 ft
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 Appleton City, MO to O'Fallon, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Windsor along the way.
Windsor
28.1 mi in|~45m|via MO 52
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
St. Charles, Missouri is outside of St. Louis on the bank of the Missouri River. It was Missouri's first state capital and was one of the first stops by Lewis and Clark on their journey to explore Louisiana Territory. The historic Main Street has largely been restored to its 1812-era appearance including gas lights a boardwalk and is lined with shops selling artwork, handicrafts, home decorations, antiques. There are also many restaurants.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 51m. Total distance: 229.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 90 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at O'Fallon, MO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 18.9 miles (MO 52): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.1 miles (MO 52): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.4 miles (MO 52): Navigation decision point.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at O'Fallon, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
