Caruthersville, MO to Florissant, MO is 210.8 miles and takes about 3h 58m via I 55 and I 270, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, mostly highway drive that stays within Missouri, connecting two points in the Midwest. With a recommended one-day trip, you'll spend most of your time on major interstates. It's a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to cover this distance without needing extensive planning.
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
105.4 miles from Caruthersville, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
175.7 mi
3h 8m
I 270
24.4 mi
30m
West 3rd Street
2.9 mi
5m
MO 84
2 mi
3m
North Lindbergh Boulevard
1.8 mi
3m
Rosa Parks Highway
1.3 mi
1m
West Washington Street
1 mi
2m
North New Florissant Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 175.7 mi, about 3h 8m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~719 veh/hr typical
· worst 962
Quietest
2 AM
~67 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 47 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 Caruthersville, MO and Florissant, MO.
1
Start on this road
45 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
2.9 mi·5 min·West 3rd Street
3
Continue on MO 84
2.0 mi·3 min·MO 84
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 55 North, US 61 North: Sikeston
5
Merge onto I 55; US 61
74 mi·1 hr 19 min·I 55; US 61
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
102 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 55
7
Continue on I 55
1.3 mi·1 min·Rosa Parks Highway
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 196Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
388 ft·8 sec
Toward I 270 West: Kansas CityUse the slight left lane.
10
Continue on this road
0.7 mi·1 min·this road
Exit 196Toward I 270 West
11
Merge onto I 270
24 mi·30 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 25Toward US 67Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn left onto US 67
1.8 mi·3 min·North Lindbergh Boulevard
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto West Washington Street
1.0 mi·2 min·West Washington Street
15
Turn left onto North New Florissant Road
87 ft·1 sec·North New Florissant Road
16
Arrive at destination
North New Florissant Road
Trip Plan
Given this is a single-day drive of under 4 hours, leaving anytime in the morning or early afternoon should work well. You'll want to keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 175.7-mile stretch on I 55 where services might be less frequent than in more urban areas. Plan for a quick stop around the halfway mark to stretch your legs, perhaps before you get too far down I 55. The fuel cost estimate of $37 is helpful for budgeting, and since it's a short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on traffic or personal preference.
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 105.4 miles from Caruthersville, MO, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 175.7 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 46 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.4 miles or 1h 57m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Florissant, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Caruthersville, 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 Caruthersville, MO
This is one driving day of about 210.8 miles and 3h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Caruthersville, 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 55 for about 175.7 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 5 and 208 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the ramp toward I 55 North, US 61 North: Sikeston
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, US 61 North: Sikeston
8
182.3 mi into trip|~3h 20m in
Take the exit toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
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 196
Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chi...
8
182.5 mi into trip|~3h 20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
7
207.8 mi into trip|~3h 52m in
Take the exit toward US 67
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 25
Toward US 67
6
208 mi into trip|~3h 53m in|US 67 / North Lindbergh Boulevard
Turn left onto US 67 / North Lindbergh Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.13 one way
$62.26 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$34.37
$68.73
premium
$4.72
$39.14
$78.28
diesel
$4.80
$39.80
$79.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.2
0
$22.13
$10.12
Efficient EV
52.7
0
$18.45
$8.43
EV Truck/SUV
84.3
1
$29.51
$13.49
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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Caruthersville, MO
Late night
in Caruthersville on Sunday
Local time
1:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 0 to 5 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Florissant, MO
Late night
in Florissant on Sunday
Local time
1:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 2 to 9 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
90°F
Crystal City, MO
105 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
1 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
3h 58m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Established by 1750, Ste. Geneviève was the first permanent European settlement in Missouri. Early French Canadian settlers were drawn here by the rich agricultural land known as Le Grand Champ (the B...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 138.1
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
$19
near mile 181.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is almost entirely highway, with 96% of the 210.8 miles on interstates like I 55 and I 270. You'll experience a very long stretch of 175.7 miles on I 55, indicating extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads happens near the end, with West 3rd Street marking the final segment into Florissant. Expect a drive dominated by high-speed travel with frequent exits and potential for merging traffic as you approach your destination.
96% 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: 175.7 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 270. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 210.8 miles you will encounter 10 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 5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
655 ft276 ft
Total Climb
626 ft
Total Descent
322 ft
Highest Point
655 ft
~135.5 mi in
Elevation Range
379 ft
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 Caruthersville, MO to Florissant, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 58m. Total distance: 210.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 175.7 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 Florissant, 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 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park and Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Florissant, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
