Driving from Doniphan to St. Louis covers 178.4 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 34 minutes. Since this trip is well within the reach of a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Plan on budgeting roughly $27 for fuel to complete the journey. You will primarily utilize a combination of US 67, I-55, and US 160 to navigate through the Midwest. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that connects rural Missouri directly to the state's largest metropolitan hub. Whether you are heading north for business or a weekend getaway, the route offers a reliable and efficient transition between the 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
89.2 miles from Doniphan, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 67
124.1 mi
2h 22m
I 55
20.5 mi
22m
US 160
18.4 mi
27m
Rosa Parks Highway
12.5 mi
15m
South Tucker Boulevard
1.3 mi
3m
Walnut Street
0.7 mi
1m
Gravois Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Plum Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 67
— 124.1 mi, about 2h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Doniphan, MO and St. Louis, MO.
1
Start on Plum Street
169 ft·9 sec·Plum Street
2
Turn right onto MO 142
0.7 mi·1 min·Walnut Street
3
Turn right onto US 160; MO 21
18 mi·27 min·US 160; MO 21
4
Turn left onto US 160
97 ft·1 sec·US 160
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
6
Merge onto US 67
10 mi·11 min·US 67
7
Take the exit onto US 67
113 mi·2 hr 10 min·US 67
Toward US 60 West, US 67 North: Springfield
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 67
0.3 mi·27 sec·US 67
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
10
Merge onto I 55
21 mi·22 min·I 55
11
Continue on I 55
12 mi·15 min·Rosa Parks Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 207AToward MO 30 East: Gravois AvenueUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn slight right onto Gravois Avenue
0.2 mi·27 sec·Gravois Avenue
14
Continue on South Tucker Boulevard
1.3 mi·3 min·South Tucker Boulevard
15
Turn right onto Market Street
86 ft·2 sec·Market Street
16
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3 hour and 34 minute journey, aim to leave early to avoid potential congestion as you transition onto the interstate. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to decide where to stretch your legs during the 178.4-mile trek. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Doniphan, as the long 124.1-mile stretch on US 67 means you should plan your refueling needs before committing to the heart of the drive. Since this is a relatively short trip, consider timing your departure to miss peak rush hour traffic in the St. Louis area. Having your navigation set before hitting the highway will help you stay focused on the road during the high-speed sections of the trip.
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 89.2 miles from Doniphan, MO, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 124.1 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 39 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.2 miles or 1h 49m 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 55m
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 Doniphan, 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 Doniphan, MO
This is one driving day of about 178.4 miles and 3h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Doniphan, 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 US 67 for about 124.1 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 176.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|MO 142 / Walnut Street
Turn right onto MO 142 / Walnut Street
Navigation decision point
5
29.7 mi into trip|~40m in|US 67
Take the exit onto US 67 toward US 60 West, US 67 North: Springfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 60 West, US 67 North: Springfield
4
143 mi into trip|~2h 51m in|US 67
Keep slight right at fork onto US 67
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
143.4 mi into trip|~2h 51m in
Take the exit toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
7
176.7 mi into trip|~3h 30m in
Take the exit toward MO 30 East: Gravois Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 207A
Toward MO 30 East: Gravois Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.89 one way
$55.78 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.62
$61.25
premium
$4.89
$34.33
$68.66
diesel
$5.61
$39.39
$78.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.5
0
$18.73
$8.56
Efficient EV
44.6
0
$15.61
$7.14
EV Truck/SUV
71.4
0
$24.98
$11.42
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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 Apr 11, 2026
Origin
Doniphan, MO
Night
in Doniphan on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
St. Louis, MO
Night
in St. Louis on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
SE 8 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
56°F
Farmington, MO
89 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
12 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 34m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient experience, as 91% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend a significant portion of your time on US 67, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 124.1 miles. The road’s personality shifts from the quieter, local feel of US 160 to the more consistent, high-speed flow of the interstate system as you approach the city. Because the path is so heavily focused on major thoroughfares, you can anticipate a steady and predictable rhythm behind the wheel. Prepare for a transition from rural scenery to the denser traffic patterns that characterize the final approach into St. Louis.
91% 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: 124.1 mi on US 67.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 67 and I 55. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MO 142 / Walnut 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 178.4 miles you will encounter 11 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 (MO 142 / Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 29.7 miles (US 67): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143 miles (US 67): 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 34m. Total distance: 178.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 124.1 miles on US 67. 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 (MO 142 / Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 29.7 miles (US 67): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143 miles (US 67): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 St. Louis, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
