Saint Clair Rest Area (Westbound)
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Chesterfield, MO to Ozark, MO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 3m
Distance
211 mi
340 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 50m
★
6 AM
4h 3m
8 AM
4h 29m
10 AM
4h 12m
12 PM
4h 10m
3 PM
4h 14m
5 PM
4h 28m
8 PM
3h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chesterfield, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Ozark, MO
Valeria Boltneva
Trip Overview
Chesterfield, MO to Ozark, MO is 211 miles and takes about 4h 3m via I 44, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive entirely within Missouri, connecting two points in the Midwest. The route is predominantly highway, making it a quick trip if you're looking to get from point A to point B efficiently. With just one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, it's a manageable drive for a single day.
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
105.5 miles from Chesterfield, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 44 | 170.7 mi | 3h 3m |
| Manchester Road | 16.8 mi | 24m |
| Schoolcraft Freeway | 11 mi | 13m |
| American Legion Memorial Highway | 4.6 mi | 5m |
| Clarkson Road | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| Baxter Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Jackson Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Santa Maria Drive | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 170.7 mi, about 3h 3m
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
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Chesterfield, MO and Ozark, MO.
1
Start on Santa Maria Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Santa Maria Drive
2
At end of road, turn right onto Wild Horse Creek Road
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Wild Horse Creek Road
3
Turn left onto Baxter Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Baxter Road
4
Turn right onto MO 340
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Clarkson Road
5
Turn right onto MO 100
17 mi
·
24 min
·
Manchester Road
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 44 West, US 50 West: St. Clair
7
Merge onto I 44; US 50
171 mi
·
3 hr 3 min
·
I 44; US 50
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 82A
Toward US 65 South: Branson
9
Merge onto US 65
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Schoolcraft Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 65
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
11
Take the exit onto US 65 Business
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
US 65 Business
Toward US 65 Busienss, MO 14: Nixa
12
Turn left onto US 65 Bus; MO 14
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Jackson Road
13
Continue on US 65 Bus; MO 14
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Jackson Street
14
Turn left onto West Church Street
97 ft
·
4 sec
·
West Church Street
15
Arrive at destination
West Church Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour drive time, departing Chesterfield, MO in the morning allows ample time to reach Ozark, MO before evening. You only need one stop, so plan it around the halfway point or when you feel the need for a break. The longest stretch on I 44 is over 170 miles, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. Since this is a single-day 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 105.5 miles from Chesterfield, MO, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 170.7 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 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.5 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ozark, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chesterfield, 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 Chesterfield, MO
This is one driving day of about 211 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Chesterfield, 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 170.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 105.5 miles from Chesterfield, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 44 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 170.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
TA
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Mr. Fuel
0.1 mi from route
Truck Parking
0.1 mi from route
Truck Parking
0.1 mi from route
Saint Clair Rest Area (Eastbound)
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
B&D Auto/Truck Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Conway Rest Area (Eastbound)
0.2 mi from route
Conway Rest Area (Westbound)
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.9 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 193.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Wild Horse Creek Road
At end of road, turn right onto Wild Horse Creek Road
Navigation decision point
5
22.4 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Take the exit toward I 44 West, US 50 West: St. Clair
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 44 West, US 50 West: St. Clair
5
22.6 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
I 44; US 50
Merge onto I 44; US 50
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
193.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 39m in
Take the exit toward US 65 South: Branson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 82A
Toward US 65 South: Branson
5
193.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 40m in
|
US 65 / Schoolcraft Freeway
Merge onto US 65 / Schoolcraft Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.16 one way
$62.32 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $34.40 | $68.80 |
| premium | $4.72 | $39.18 | $78.35 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $39.84 | $79.68 |
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 | 63.3 | 0 | $22.16 | $10.13 |
| Efficient EV | 52.8 | 0 | $18.46 | $8.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84.4 | 1 | $29.54 | $13.50 |
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.
Origin
Chesterfield, MO
Morning in Chesterfield on Sunday
Local time
6:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Partly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 1 to 8 mph
17% chance
Live 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
Ozark, MO
Morning in Ozark on Sunday
Local time
6:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 2 to 8 mph
18% chance
Live 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
89°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
4 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 3m 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...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 203.7
Caution: BE AWARE OF HIGH-WATER DANGER
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
$19
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 86% of the 211 miles on interstates like I 44 and the Schoolcraft Freeway. You'll experience a long stretch of 170.7 miles on I 44 before transitioning to surface roads like Manchester Road. Expect a consistent cruising speed for the majority of the trip, with a noticeable increase in exit density as you approach your destination.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 170.7 mi on I 44.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and Manchester Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Wild Horse Creek Road.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 3m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Wild Horse Creek Road): Navigation decision point; at 22.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.6 miles (I 44; US 50): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,460 ft
472 ft
Total Climb
1,125 ft
Total Descent
431 ft
Highest Point
1,460 ft
~180.8 mi in
Elevation Range
987 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Chesterfield, MO
Full guide →Founded 1837
Arriving in Ozark, MO
Full guide →Founded 1818
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 3m. Total distance: 211 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 170.7 miles on I 44. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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.
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: at 0.3 miles (Wild Horse Creek Road): Navigation decision point; at 22.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.6 miles (I 44; US 50): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Ozark, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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