Dixon, MO to St. Louis, MO is 130.8 miles and takes about 2h 32m via I 44 and Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically crossing Missouri. With 84% of the drive on highways, it’s a straightforward journey ideal for a single-day excursion. You can expect a practical, no-frills drive that gets you from point A to point B efficiently. Consider this route if you're looking for a quick connection between these two Missouri locations.
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
65.4 miles from Dixon, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 44
107.9 mi
1h 59m
MO D
9.1 mi
12m
Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway
3.5 mi
4m
Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
2.7 mi
3m
MO 28
2.6 mi
4m
Officer David Haynes Memorial Highway
2.3 mi
3m
South Jefferson Avenue
1.3 mi
2m
Market Street
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 107.9 mi, about 1h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dixon, MO and St. Louis, MO.
1
Start on MO 28
2.6 mi·4 min·MO 28
2
Turn left onto MO D
9.1 mi·12 min·MO D
3
Turn left onto US Historic 66; MO D; CR 7570
0.1 mi·16 sec·US Historic 66; MO D; CR 7570
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward I 44 East: Rolla
5
Merge onto I 44
108 mi·1 hr 59 min·I 44
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 44
2.7 mi·3 min·Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
7
Continue on I 44
3.5 mi·4 min·Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway
8
Continue on I 44
2.3 mi·3 min·Officer David Haynes Memorial Highway
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 289Toward Jefferson AvenueUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue
1.3 mi·2 min·South Jefferson Avenue
11
Turn right onto Market Street
1.0 mi·1 min·Market Street
12
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2h 32m duration, you have flexibility in when you depart for this 130.8-mile trip. Leaving in the morning allows ample time to reach St. Louis and still have most of the day for activities. With a fuel cost estimated at $20, plan your fill-ups accordingly, especially since the longest stretch on I 44 is over 100 miles. You'll only have one recommended stop, so make it count for a quick stretch or snack. Keep an eye out for the transition onto Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway as you near your destination.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 65.4 miles from Dixon, MO, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.9 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 29 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.4 miles or 1h 16m 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 2m
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 Dixon, 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 Dixon, MO
This is one driving day of about 130.8 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Dixon, 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 107.9 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 6
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.6 and 128.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
2.6 mi into trip|~4m in|MO D
Turn left onto MO D
Navigation decision point
3
11.7 mi into trip|~16m in|US Historic 66; MO D; CR 7570
Turn left onto US Historic 66; MO D; CR 7570
Navigation decision point
6
11.8 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the ramp toward I 44 East: Rolla
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward I 44 East: Rolla
5
12 mi into trip|~17m in|I 44
Merge onto I 44
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
128.4 mi into trip|~2h 27m 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
$20.45 one way
$40.90 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$22.45
$44.90
premium
$4.89
$25.17
$50.34
diesel
$5.61
$28.88
$57.76
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.2
0
$13.73
$6.28
Efficient EV
32.7
0
$11.45
$5.23
EV Truck/SUV
52.3
0
$18.31
$8.37
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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 15, 2026
Origin
Dixon, MO
Night
in Dixon on Saturday
Local time
11:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
St. Louis, MO
Night
in St. Louis on Saturday
Local time
11:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Union, MO
65 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
17 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
2h 32m 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?
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 84% of the 130.8 miles spent on major roadways like I 44 and Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 107.9 miles on I 44, meaning you can settle in for a substantial period on the interstate. While the profile is highway-heavy, there are brief moments on roads like MO D that offer a slight change of pace before rejoining the faster routes. Expect a generally consistent driving experience that prioritizes direct travel.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 107.9 mi on I 44.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and MO D. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in near MO D.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Dixon, MO to St. Louis, MO is easy. At 2h 32m with 84% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.6 miles (MO D): Navigation decision point; at 11.7 miles (US Historic 66; MO D; CR 7570): Navigation decision point; at 11.8 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.
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.
The longest stretch is about 107.9 miles on I 44. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 2.6 miles (MO D): Navigation decision point; at 11.7 miles (US Historic 66; MO D; CR 7570): Navigation decision point; at 11.8 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at St. Louis, MO before heading back.
