Traveling from Cabool to St. Louis covers 171.1 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 22 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is well within the limits of a comfortable day trip, there is no need to book an overnight stay unless you prefer a leisurely pace. You will primarily navigate the region using US-63, the Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway, and I-44. With fuel costs estimated at approximately $26, it is an affordable trek across the Missouri Midwest. Whether you are heading to the city for business or a change of scenery, this highway-focused route offers a straightforward connection between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
85.5 miles from Cabool, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 44
94.8 mi
1h 44m
US 63
64.3 mi
1h 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
Market Street
1 mi
1m
Ozark Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 94.8 mi, about 1h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cabool, MO and St. Louis, MO.
1
Start on this road
120 ft·14 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto US 60 Business
0.3 mi·27 sec·Ozark Street
3
Continue on US 60 Business
0.3 mi·33 sec·Ozark Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 63
64 mi·1 hr 20 min·US 63
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63
287 ft·4 sec·North Bishop Avenue
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63
183 ft·3 sec·North Bishop Avenue
7
Keep slight right at fork onto MO E
0.3 mi·32 sec·Tim Bradley Way
8
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward I 44 East: Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 44
95 mi·1 hr 44 min·I 44
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 44
2.7 mi·3 min·Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
11
Continue on I 44
3.5 mi·4 min·Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I 44
2.3 mi·3 min·Officer David Haynes Memorial Highway
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 289Toward Jefferson AvenueUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue
1.3 mi·2 min·South Jefferson Avenue
15
Turn right onto Market Street
1.0 mi·1 min·Market Street
16
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule to avoid peak traffic in St. Louis. Plan for at least one stop to break up the 171.1-mile journey, which helps keep you alert and comfortable. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the longer interstate segments, though the $26 estimated cost is manageable for most vehicles. Because the vast majority of your trip relies on I-44, monitor local traffic reports for that specific corridor before you head out. Embracing this as a single-day trip allows you to maximize your time in the city rather than spending unnecessary hours on the road.
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 85.5 miles from Cabool, MO, or about 1h 44m 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 38 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.5 miles or 1h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 45m
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 Cabool, 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 Cabool, MO
This is one driving day of about 171.1 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Cabool, 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 168.6 — 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|US 60 Business / Ozark Street
Turn left onto US 60 Business / Ozark Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|US 63
Turn left onto US 63
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
64.9 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63 / North Bishop Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63 / North Bishop Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
7
65.2 mi into trip|~1h 22m 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
168.6 mi into trip|~3h 17m 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
$26.75 one way
$53.50 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$29.37
$58.74
premium
$4.89
$32.93
$65.85
diesel
$5.61
$37.78
$75.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.3
0
$17.97
$8.21
Efficient EV
42.8
0
$14.97
$6.84
EV Truck/SUV
68.4
0
$23.95
$10.95
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Cabool, MO
Night
in Cabool on Saturday
Local time
11:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
St. Louis, MO
Night
in St. Louis on Saturday
Local time
11:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Washington, MO
86 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 22m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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?
Expect a highly efficient journey, as 93% of your travel time is spent on highways. The route features a significant 94.8-mile stretch on I-44, which serves as the backbone of your drive and allows for consistent cruising speeds. Transitioning from the local sections onto the interstate creates a distinct shift in pace, moving you from regional roads onto a major thoroughfare. This profile is decidedly highway-focused, prioritizing speed and connectivity over winding backroads. You will find that the road maintains a predictable flow, making it a reliable choice for drivers who prefer a direct path to their destination.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 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 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 60 Business / Ozark 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 171.1 miles you will encounter 8 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 (US 60 Business / Ozark Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (US 63): Lane positioning matters here; at 64.9 miles (I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63 / North Bishop Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 22m. Total distance: 171.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 22m 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: near the start (US 60 Business / Ozark Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (US 63): Lane positioning matters here; at 64.9 miles (I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63 / North Bishop Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at St. Louis, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
