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Trip from Bolivar, MO to Saint Charles, MO

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 14m

Distance

212.6 mi

342 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 1m ★
6 AM
4h 14m
8 AM
4h 41m
10 AM
4h 23m
12 PM
4h 21m
3 PM
4h 25m
5 PM
4h 39m
8 PM
4h 6m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city and county seat of Polk County, Missouri, United States

Bolivar, MO

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of St. Charles County, Missouri, United States

Saint Charles, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 217.8-mile journey from Bolivar, MO, to Saint Charles, MO, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take about 3 hours and 39 minutes. The primary roads you'll navigate include South Jefferson Avenue, I-44 East, and I-270. With a fuel cost estimated at $33, this drive through the Midwest offers a practical way to travel between these two Missouri cities. Given its relatively short duration and straightforward route, it's an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times.

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

106.3 miles from Bolivar, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 12m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 44 146.6 mi 2h 39m
East Broadway Street 45.1 mi 1h 4m
I 270 12.6 mi 15m
I 70 2.7 mi 3m
South Jefferson Avenue 1.1 mi 1m
South Fifth Street 1 mi 2m
Jefferson Street 0.2 mi <1m
North Second Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 44 — 146.6 mi, about 2h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bolivar, MO and Saint Charles, MO.

1

Start on MO 32

45 mi · 1 hr 4 min · East Broadway Street
2

Turn right onto MO 5; MO 64

1.1 mi · 1 min · South Jefferson Avenue
3

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward I 44 East: Rolla
4

Merge onto I 44

147 mi · 2 hr 39 min · I 44
5

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Exit 276 Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis Use the slight right lane.
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 11 sec
Toward I 270 North: Chicago Use the slight left lane.
7

Continue on this road

0.5 mi · 52 sec · this road
Exit 276 Toward I 270 North: Chicago
8

Merge onto I 270

13 mi · 15 min · I 270
Use the straight lane.
9

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 20A Toward I 70: Kansas City, Saint Louis, Saint Louis Lambert International Airport Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 11 sec
Toward I 70 West: Kansas City Use the slight left lane.
11

Continue on this road

0.6 mi · 57 sec · this road
Exit 20B Toward I 70 West: Kansas City
12

Merge onto I 70

2.7 mi · 3 min · I 70
13

Take the exit onto I 70 Business

0.2 mi · 17 sec · I 70 Business
Exit 229B Toward I 70 Business: Fifth Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork

231 ft · 5 sec
Toward I 70 Business: Fifth Street North, Bass Pro Drive, Ameristar Boulevard Use the right lane.
15

Turn slight right onto I 70 Business

1.0 mi · 2 min · South Fifth Street
Use the right lane.
16

Turn right onto Jefferson Street

0.2 mi · 44 sec · Jefferson Street
17

Turn left onto North Second Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · North Second Street
18

Arrive at destination

North Second Street

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour and 39-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Bolivar to maximize your daylight hours and minimize potential traffic. Since it's a shorter trip, you can be quite flexible with your stops, but planning one stop around the halfway point could be beneficial for stretching your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition between road types, and note that the estimated fuel cost is $33. A practical tip for this route is to stay alert during the segments that utilize I-44 East, as it can be a busy corridor.

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 106.3 miles from Bolivar, MO, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.6 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 7m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 106.3 miles or 2h 12m 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 26m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Charles, MO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Bolivar, 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 Bolivar, MO

This is one driving day of about 212.6 miles and 4h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Bolivar, 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 146.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Cuba, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cuba, MO

106 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Lebanon, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cuba, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 106.3 miles from Bolivar, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 44 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 146.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Oseyo Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Bolivar, Missouri

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14173262100

Visit website

The Wine Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Charles, Missouri

0.5 mi

TK's Pizza

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

St Robert, Missouri

2.4 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Cafe Amalia

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kirkwood, Missouri

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 197.4

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+13146982200

Visit website

Oseyo Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Bolivar, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14173262100

Visit website

The Wine Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 212.6

St Charles, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+16364108002

Visit website

TK's Pizza

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 75.9

St Robert, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15733363278

Visit website

Cafe Amalia

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 197.4

Kirkwood, Missouri

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+13146982200

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 45.6

Lebanon, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Bolivar, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14173260188

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 75.9

St Robert, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Bolivar, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Bolivar, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.4 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 106.3

Rolla, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 60.7

Richland, Missouri

+15737753044

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 106.3

Rolla, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

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 193.2 and 211.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
193.2 mi into trip | ~3h 47m in

Take the exit toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis

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 276 Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
8
193.3 mi into trip | ~3h 47m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 North: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 270 North: Chicago
8
206.5 mi into trip | ~4h 4m in

Take the exit toward I 70: Kansas City, Saint Louis, Saint Louis Lambert International Airport

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 20A Toward I 70: Kansas City, Saint Louis, Saint Lo...
7
207.5 mi into trip | ~4h 5m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 West: Kansas City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 70 West: Kansas City
9
211.2 mi into trip | ~4h 10m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 70 Business: Fifth Street North, Bass Pro Drive, Ameristar Boulevard

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward I 70 Business: Fifth Street North, Bass...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.24 one way

$66.48 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 74 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $36.49 $72.99
premium $4.89 $40.91 $81.83
diesel $5.61 $46.94 $93.88

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: 74.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 63.8 0 $22.32 $10.20
Efficient EV 53.2 0 $18.60 $8.50
EV Truck/SUV 85 1 $29.76 $13.61

Gas CO2

74 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (66% 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Bolivar, MO

Night in Bolivar on Saturday

Local time

11:20 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Saint Charles, MO

Night in Saint Charles on Saturday

Local time

11:20 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

75°F

Cuba, MO

106 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

4h 14m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a route that's a bit turn-heavy and leans towards local driving, with 0% highway share. This means you'll be engaging with more varied road conditions and potentially encountering more traffic signals and intersections than you would on a pure interstate journey. The drive progresses through a mix of local roads, requiring your attention as you navigate turns and transitions. While there isn't a designated longest uninterrupted stretch, the overall character is one of continuous engagement with the local road network.

76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 146.6 mi on I 44.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and East Broadway Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 193.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 14 significant decision points across 212.6 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 193.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 193.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 206.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Bolivar, MO to Saint Charles, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.

Memphis

193.2 mi in | ~3h 47m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 14m. Total distance: 212.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 146.6 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.

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 Charles, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 193.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 193.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 206.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Saint Charles, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Return Trip

Saint Charles, MO to Bolivar, MO

Plan the drive back the other way.

210.1 mi 4h 13m

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