Ava, MO to St. Louis, MO is 214.3 miles and takes about 4h 18m via I 44 and US 60, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, moving from the Ozarks region towards the Mississippi River. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on major highways, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points. Plan for a single day, as the duration is well within typical driving limits for a same-day trip.
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
107.2 miles from Ava, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 44
94.8 mi
1h 44m
US 63
64.3 mi
1h 20m
US 60
26 mi
30m
MO 5
14.8 mi
20m
Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway
3.5 mi
4m
Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
2.7 mi
3m
Officer David Haynes Memorial Highway
2.3 mi
3m
South Jefferson Avenue
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 94.8 mi, about 1h 44m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,401 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,203
Quietest
2 AM
~195 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.4×
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 Ava, MO and St. Louis, MO.
1
Start on MO 5 Business
171 ft·5 sec·South Jefferson Street
2
Turn right onto West Lincoln Avenue
254 ft·13 sec·West Lincoln Avenue
3
Turn right onto South Lister Street
238 ft·12 sec·South Lister Street
4
Turn right onto West Washington Avenue
263 ft·14 sec·West Washington Avenue
5
Turn left onto MO 14; MO 5 Business
0.6 mi·1 min·North Jefferson Street
6
Enter roundabout onto Springfield Road
75 ft·1 sec·Springfield Road
7
Continue on Springfield Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Springfield Road
8
Turn right onto MO 5; MO 76
12 mi·17 min·MO 5; MO 76
9
Take the ramp onto MO 5
2.5 mi·3 min·MO 5
Toward US 60 East, MO 5 North: Mountain Grove
10
Continue on US 60
26 mi·30 min·US 60
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward MO 181: Cabool
12
Turn left onto MO 181
0.4 mi·44 sec·Peabody Avenue
13
Continue on MO 181
0.2 mi·24 sec·South Elm Street
14
Turn right onto US 60 Business
0.4 mi·40 sec·Ozark Street
15
Continue on US 60 Business
0.3 mi·33 sec·Ozark Avenue
16
Turn left onto US 63
64 mi·1 hr 20 min·US 63
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63
287 ft·4 sec·North Bishop Avenue
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63
183 ft·3 sec·North Bishop Avenue
19
Keep slight right at fork onto MO E
0.3 mi·32 sec·Tim Bradley Way
20
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward I 44 East: Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto I 44
95 mi·1 hr 44 min·I 44
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 44
2.7 mi·3 min·Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
23
Continue on I 44
3.5 mi·4 min·Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway
24
Continue on I 44
2.3 mi·3 min·Officer David Haynes Memorial Highway
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 289Toward Jefferson AvenueUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue
1.3 mi·2 min·South Jefferson Avenue
27
Turn right onto Market Street
1.0 mi·1 min·Market Street
28
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 18m estimated drive time and 214.3 miles, leaving Ava, MO in the morning will comfortably get you to St. Louis, MO before evening. With only one recommended stop and a mostly highway profile, you can easily complete this drive in a single day. The estimated fuel cost is around $33, so ensure your tank is full before departing Ava. Pay attention to the transition from I 44 to local routes as you enter the St. Louis metropolitan area, as exit density increases significantly.
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 107.2 miles from Ava, MO, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.8 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 47 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.2 miles or 2h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near St. Louis, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ava, 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 Ava, MO
This is one driving day of about 214.3 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Ava, 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 I 44 for about 94.8 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 211.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|South Lister Street
Turn right onto South Lister Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|West Washington Avenue
Turn right onto West Washington Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
13.8 mi into trip|~20m in|MO 5
Take the ramp onto MO 5 toward US 60 East, MO 5 North: Mountain Grove
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 60 East, MO 5 North: Mountain Grove
7
108.4 mi into trip|~2h 17m in
Take the ramp toward I 44 East: Saint Louis
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 44 East: Saint Louis
7
211.9 mi into trip|~4h 12m in
Take the exit toward Jefferson Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 289
Toward Jefferson Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.65 one way
$63.29 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$34.94
$69.88
premium
$4.72
$39.79
$79.58
diesel
$4.80
$40.46
$80.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.3
0
$22.50
$10.29
Efficient EV
53.6
0
$18.75
$8.57
EV Truck/SUV
85.7
1
$30.00
$13.72
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Ava, MO
Late night
in Ava on Sunday
Local time
5:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 7 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:26PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
St. Louis, MO
Late night
in St. Louis on Sunday
Local time
5:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 2 to 8 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:26PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
89°F
Cuba, MO
107 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
13 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 18m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Gateway Arch National Park
National Park
Gateway Arch National Park commemorates President Jefferson’s vision of a continental nation, the individuals and cultural groups who helped shape its history, St. Louis’ role in westward expansion, a...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 93% of the 214.3 miles on major roads like I 44. You'll encounter a substantial stretch of 94.8 miles on I 44 without needing to exit, offering a consistent cruising experience. The transition to surface roads will occur as you approach your destination, likely with more frequent exits and local traffic to navigate in the St. Louis area.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.8 mi on I 44.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and US 63. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Lister Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 214.3 miles you will encounter 17 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 0.1 miles (South Lister Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (West Washington Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 13.8 miles (MO 5): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The Gateway City of St. Louis is the epitome of the modern Midwestern metropolis. Missouri's second-largest city is vibrant but laid-back, populous but navigable, historic but still relevant. The city's planners have created an aesthetically beautiful city, with plenty of green space amidst buildings both old and new, framed by the majestic Mississippi and Missouri rivers. And capping it all is the world's tallest man-made monument, the beautiful and iconic Gateway Arch.
St. Louis is a city of culture and surprisingly inexpensive. Among American cities, only Washington, D.C. has more free attractions for tourists and residents alike. Hotels, restaurants, and even parking garages avoid the premium pricing common in other big cities. Although often overlooked, St. Louis can be an affordable, educational, and fun family getaway.
Top landmarks
•Gateway Arch — monument in St. Louis, Missouri
•Missouri Botanical Garden — non-profit organization in the USA
•Gateway Arch National Park — American National Park in St. Louis, Missouri
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 18m. Total distance: 214.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94.8 miles on I 44. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Lister Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (West Washington Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 13.8 miles (MO 5): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at St. Louis, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
