Origin
Cole Camp, MO
Morning in Cole Camp on Tuesday
Local time
7:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cole Camp, MO to Saint Charles, MO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 35m
Distance
173.4 mi
279 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 23m
★
6 AM
3h 36m
8 AM
4h 1m
10 AM
3h 44m
12 PM
3h 42m
3 PM
3h 46m
5 PM
3h 59m
8 PM
3h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cole Camp, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Saint Charles, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 173.4-mile journey from Cole Camp, MO to Saint Charles, MO is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 35 minutes to complete. You'll navigate using a mix of major roads including the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and MO C, with about 21% of the drive on highways. Budget around $27 for fuel for this Midwest to Midwest trek. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 79.9 miles, this route offers a straightforward drive perfect for a quick getaway or transit.
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
86.7 miles from Cole Camp, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 79.9 mi | 1h 33m |
| MO C | 35 mi | 47m |
| C. F. “Red” Whaley Expressway | 31.9 mi | 35m |
| East Main Street | 20.2 mi | 27m |
| MO 5 | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| First Capitol Drive | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| I 70 Business | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| South Second Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 79.9 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cole Camp, MO and Saint Charles, MO.
1
Start on South Maple Street
76 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Maple Street
2
Turn right onto MO 52
20 mi
·
27 min
·
East Main Street
3
Keep slight left at fork
160 ft
·
3 sec
4
Keep slight right at fork onto MO 5; MO 52
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
MO 5; MO 52
5
Turn left onto MO C
13 mi
·
17 min
·
MO C
6
Turn right
14 ft
·
0 sec
7
Turn left
99 ft
·
2 sec
8
Turn straight onto MO C
22 mi
·
29 min
·
MO C
9
Turn right onto MO C
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
Southwest Boulevard
10
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward US 54 East: Fulton
11
Merge onto US 54
32 mi
·
35 min
·
C. F. “Red” Whaley Expressway
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Saint Louis
13
Merge onto I 70; US 40
80 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 228
Toward I 70 Business, MO 94: First Capitol Drive, Lewis and Clark Trail
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 70 Business, MO 94 East: First Capitol Drive, Lindenwood University, SSM Health Saint Joseph Hospital
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto I 70 Business; MO 94
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
First Capitol Drive
17
Turn slight right onto I 70 Business; MO 94
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
I 70 Business; MO 94
Toward MO 94
18
Turn left onto South Second Street
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
South Second Street
19
Arrive at destination
North Second Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 35-minute duration for this 173.4-mile drive, you can comfortably complete it in one day. Consider an early morning departure from Cole Camp to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic closer to Saint Charles. With a fuel cost estimate of $27 and only one stop suggested, you have flexibility to take breaks as needed. Pay attention to road signage as you transition between the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and local roads like MO C to ensure you're on the most efficient path.
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 86.7 miles from Cole Camp, MO, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.9 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 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.7 miles or 1h 51m 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 56m
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 Cole Camp, 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 Cole Camp, MO
This is one driving day of about 173.4 miles and 3h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Cole Camp, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 79.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86.7 miles from Cole Camp, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 59 and 171.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
59 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
Take the ramp toward US 54 East: Fulton
Navigation decision point
Toward US 54 East: Fulton
5
91 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Saint Louis
5
91.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
|
I 70; US 40 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge onto I 70; US 40 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
171.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 29m in
Take the exit toward I 70 Business, MO 94: First Capitol Drive, Lewis and Clark Trail
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 228
Toward I 70 Business, MO 94: First Capitol Driv...
9
171.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 Business, MO 94 East: First Capitol Drive, Lindenwood University, SSM Health Saint Joseph Hospital
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 70 Business, MO 94 East: First Capitol...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.11 one way
$54.22 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.76 | $59.53 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.37 | $66.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.28 | $76.57 |
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: 60.7 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 | 52 | 0 | $18.21 | $8.32 |
| Efficient EV | 43.4 | 0 | $15.17 | $6.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.4 | 0 | $24.28 | $11.10 |
Gas CO2
61 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.
Destination
Saint Charles, MO
Morning in Saint Charles on Tuesday
Local time
7:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Liberty, MO
87 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
6 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 35m 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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
$19
near mile 173.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for much of this 173.4-mile route, which has a relatively low 21% highway share. While the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway provides a longer, uninterrupted stretch of 79.9 miles, much of your time will be spent on more localized roads like MO C. This means you'll be adjusting your speed and direction more frequently, offering a varied driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. The character of the road will shift as you progress, requiring your attention.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.9 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 59 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 173.4 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 59 miles: Navigation decision point; at 91 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.2 miles (I 70; US 40 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Saint Charles, MO
Full guide →St. Charles, Missouri is outside of St. Louis on the bank of the Missouri River. It was Missouri's first state capital and was one of the first stops by Lewis and Clark on their journey to explore Louisiana Territory. The historic Main Street has largely been restored to its 1812-era appearance including gas lights a boardwalk and is lined with shops selling artwork, handicrafts, home decorations, antiques. There are also many restaurants.
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 3h 35m. Total distance: 173.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.9 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. 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 59 miles: Navigation decision point; at 91 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.2 miles (I 70; US 40 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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