This trip from Billings to Castle Point, Missouri, covers 239.1 miles and will take approximately 4 hours and 38 minutes of driving time. It's a straightforward, single-day journey with a fuel cost estimated at $36, making it an economical option. The route primarily utilizes the Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway, offering a focused highway experience through the Midwest. With only one recommended stop, it's well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. This drive is designed for efficiency, getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
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
119.5 miles from Billings, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway
206.7 mi
3h 45m
Northeast Elm Street
8.9 mi
13m
MO MM
3.9 mi
6m
Police Officer Ernest M. Brockman Sr. Memorial Highway
3.5 mi·4 min·Police Officer Ernest M. Brockman Sr. Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 44
2.7 mi·3 min·Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
9
Continue on I 44
0.6 mi·47 sec·Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 284Toward Jamieson AvenueUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
227 ft·6 sec
Toward Jamieson Avenue
12
Turn left onto Jamieson Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Jamieson Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
At end of road, turn left onto Arsenal Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·Arsenal Street
14
Turn right onto McCausland Avenue
1.6 mi·2 min·McCausland Avenue
15
Continue on South Skinker Boulevard
2.8 mi·5 min·South Skinker Boulevard
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on Kienlen Avenue
1.6 mi·2 min·Kienlen Avenue
17
Continue on Jennings Station Road
3.3 mi·6 min·Jennings Station Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Turn left onto Halls Ferry Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Halls Ferry Road
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto Chambers Road
0.4 mi·38 sec·Chambers Road
20
Turn left onto Lord Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Lord Drive
21
Arrive at destination
Lord Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 38-minute duration, starting your drive from Billings in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight. You'll likely only need one planned stop for fuel or a quick break, given the longest stretch of highway. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 206.7-mile segment on the Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway, to ensure a smooth journey. The relatively short duration and highway focus mean you have flexibility; you can depart later if needed or push through to Castle Point without feeling rushed. Planning your single stop strategically along this main artery will be key to a comfortable trip.
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 119.5 miles from Billings, MO, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 206.7 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 53 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.5 miles or 2h 16m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Castle Point, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Billings, 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 Billings, MO
This is one driving day of about 239.1 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Billings, 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 Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway for about 206.7 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 226.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|MO 14 / Northwest Jefferson Avenue
Turn right onto MO 14 / Northwest Jefferson Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
13 mi into trip|~20m in|I 44 / Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway
Merge onto I 44 / Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
226.7 mi into trip|~4h 14m in
Take the exit toward Jamieson Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 284
Toward Jamieson Avenue
6
226.8 mi into trip|~4h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Jamieson Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Jamieson Avenue
5
226.8 mi into trip|~4h 14m in|Jamieson Avenue
Turn left onto Jamieson Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.38 one way
$74.76 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$41.04
$82.08
premium
$4.89
$46.01
$92.03
diesel
$5.61
$52.79
$105.58
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.7
0
$25.11
$11.48
Efficient EV
59.8
0
$20.92
$9.56
EV Truck/SUV
95.6
1
$33.47
$15.30
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Billings, MO
Night
in Billings on Saturday
Local time
9:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Castle Point, MO
Night
in Castle Point on Saturday
Local time
9:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Washington, MO
120 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
15 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 38m 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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
$19
near mile 230.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 86% of the route on higher-speed roads. You'll spend a significant amount of time on the Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway, including an uninterrupted stretch of 206.7 miles. Expect a consistent driving experience for most of the journey, characterized by smooth, direct travel. While primarily a highway experience, brief sections on MO MM and Northeast Elm Street will offer minor variations before you rejoin the freeway. The profile suggests a drive that prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently rather than offering constant scenic changes.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 206.7 mi on Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway and Northeast Elm Street. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MO 14 / Northwest Jefferson Avenue.
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 239.1 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (MO 14 / Northwest Jefferson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 13 miles (I 44 / Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 226.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,495 ft491 ft
Total Climb
485 ft
Total Descent
1,356 ft
Highest Point
1,495 ft
~34.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,004 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 38m. Total distance: 239.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 206.7 miles on Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway. 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: near the start (MO 14 / Northwest Jefferson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 13 miles (I 44 / Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 226.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Castle Point, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
