Spanning 221.4 miles across the Missouri Midwest, this trip connects Battlefield to Saint Peters in roughly 4 hours and 22 minutes. It is a manageable journey that works perfectly as a single-day excursion, though your pace will dictate your comfort level. Budget approximately $34 for fuel to cover the distance, which primarily utilizes Payne Stewart Highway, Manchester Road, and West Bypass. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, you should prepare for a navigation-intensive experience rather than a mindless cruise. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a direct path through the heart of the state.
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
110.7 miles from Battlefield, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Payne Stewart Highway
177.4 mi
3h 12m
Manchester Road
13.4 mi
18m
West Bypass
6.8 mi
10m
MO 109
4.9 mi
7m
Mid Rivers Mall Drive
4.7 mi
9m
MO 94
3.4 mi
4m
Avenue of the Saints
2.7 mi
3m
MO FF
2.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Payne Stewart Highway
— 177.4 mi, about 3h 12m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,432 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,709
Quietest
2 AM
~177 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.1×
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 Battlefield, MO and Saint Peters, MO.
1
Start on 182
68 ft·3 sec·West 3rd Street
2
Turn right onto MO FF
2.5 mi·3 min·MO FF
3
Continue on US 160
6.8 mi·10 min·West Bypass
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 44 East: Rolla
5
Merge onto I 44
177 mi·3 hr 12 min·Payne Stewart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 253Toward I 44 Business, MO 100 East: Gray SummitUse the slight right lane.
7
Turn left onto MO 100
13 mi·18 min·Manchester Road
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward MO 109
9
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
224 ft·4 sec·MO 109
10
Continue on MO 109
515 ft·10 sec·MO 109
11
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
98 ft·1 sec·MO 109
12
Continue on MO 109
0.4 mi·45 sec·MO 109
13
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
94 ft·2 sec·MO 109
14
Continue on MO 109
4.3 mi·6 min·MO 109
15
Enter roundabout onto South Eatherton Road
94 ft·1 sec·South Eatherton Road
16
Continue on South Eatherton Road
2.4 mi·4 min·South Eatherton Road
17
Continue on Olive Street Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Olive Street Road
18
Take the ramp onto Chesterfield Airport Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Chesterfield Airport Road
19
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
2.7 mi·3 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 10Toward MO 94: Defiance, Saint CharlesUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft·4 sec
Toward MO 94 East: Saint CharlesUse the right lane.
22
Merge onto MO 94
3.4 mi·4 min·MO 94
Use the right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Pitman Hill RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn left onto Mid Rivers Mall Drive
4.7 mi·9 min·Mid Rivers Mall Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
25
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·20 sec
Toward I 70 West: WentzvilleUse the slight left lane.
26
Merge onto I 70
479 ft·6 sec·I 70
27
Arrive at destination
I 70
Trip Plan
Since this drive covers 221.4 miles in one go, planning for at least one dedicated stop will keep you refreshed during the 4-hour and 22-minute duration. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, try to depart in the morning to avoid navigating complex local intersections after dark. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $34 estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and the specific local roads you choose. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, allowing you to adjust your pace if traffic picks up on the local segments. Make sure your GPS is updated and ready to handle the frequent turns required along the Payne Stewart Highway and beyond.
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 110.7 miles from Battlefield, MO, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 177.4 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 49 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.7 miles or 2h 4m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Peters, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Battlefield, 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 Battlefield, MO
This is one driving day of about 221.4 miles and 4h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Battlefield, 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 Payne Stewart Highway for about 177.4 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.6 and 216.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
9.6 mi into trip|~15m in|I 44 / Payne Stewart Highway
Merge onto I 44 / Payne Stewart Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
187 mi into trip|~3h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 44 Business, MO 100 East: Gray Summit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 253
Toward I 44 Business, MO 100 East: Gray Summit
8
212.4 mi into trip|~4h 6m in
Take the exit toward MO 94: Defiance, Saint Charles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 10
Toward MO 94: Defiance, Saint Charles
8
212.6 mi into trip|~4h 6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MO 94 East: Saint Charles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward MO 94 East: Saint Charles
8
216.1 mi into trip|~4h 11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Pitman Hill Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Pitman Hill Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.70 one way
$65.39 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$36.10
$72.19
premium
$4.72
$41.11
$82.21
diesel
$4.80
$41.80
$83.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.4
0
$23.25
$10.63
Efficient EV
55.4
0
$19.37
$8.86
EV Truck/SUV
88.6
1
$31.00
$14.17
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 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
Battlefield, MO
Late night
in Battlefield on Sunday
Local time
5:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 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
Saint Peters, MO
Late night
in Saint Peters on Sunday
Local time
5:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
W 9 mph21% 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
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 22m 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.
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...
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...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
$19
near mile 206.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a road personality that leans heavily toward local navigation, as only 4% of the trip is spent on major highways. You will spend the bulk of your time on the 177.4-mile stretch along the Payne Stewart Highway, which serves as the backbone of your journey. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, your focus will be required on winding segments rather than high-speed interstate lanes. The transition between these local roads and the bypasses creates a varied experience that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Prepare for a drive that demands consistent attention to turns and changing road types as you navigate toward your destination.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 177.4 mi on Payne Stewart Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.6 miles in near I 44 / Payne Stewart Highway.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 221.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 9.6 miles (I 44 / Payne Stewart Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 187 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 212.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 22m. Total distance: 221.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 177.4 miles on Payne Stewart Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 21 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 Saint Peters, 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 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.6 miles (I 44 / Payne Stewart Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 187 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 212.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Wilson's Creek National Battlefield and Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Saint Peters, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
