Eldon, MO to Castle Point, MO is 156.6 miles and takes about 3 hours 7 minutes via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and US 54, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a mixed driving experience, balancing highway speeds with some more local road sections. With a recommended one-day duration, this trip offers a manageable journey that's easy to fit into a weekend or a single travel day.
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
78.3 miles from Eldon, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
84 mi
1h 38m
US 54
57.1 mi
1h 4m
I 270
9 mi
11m
US 54 Business
1.2 mi
2m
US 54 Bus
0.6 mi
1m
New Halls Ferry Road
0.6 mi
<1m
East North Street
0.4 mi
1m
Halls Ferry Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 84 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eldon, MO and Castle Point, MO.
1
Start on West 2nd Street
84 ft·8 sec·West 2nd Street
2
Turn left onto South Aurora Street
0.1 mi·36 sec·South Aurora Street
3
Turn right onto East North Street
0.4 mi·1 min·East North Street
4
Turn left onto US 54 Bus; MO 87
0.6 mi·1 min·US 54 Bus; MO 87
5
Continue on US 54 Business
1.2 mi·2 min·US 54 Business
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward US 54 East: Jefferson City
7
Merge onto US 54
1.0 mi·1 min·US 54
8
Turn straight onto US 54
56 mi·1 hr 2 min·US 54
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Saint Louis
10
Merge onto I 70; US 40
84 mi·1 hr 38 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·12 sec
Exit 232Toward I 270: Chicago, MemphisUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·36 sec
Toward I 270 North: ChicagoUse the slight left lane.
13
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·18 sec·this road
Exit 232Toward I 270 North: Chicago
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 270 North: ChicagoUse the straight lane.
15
Merge onto I 270
9.0 mi·11 min·I 270
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 30Toward AC: New Halls Ferry Road, Old Halls Ferry Road
17
Turn straight onto Pershall Road
0.3 mi·48 sec·Pershall Road
18
Turn right onto MO AC
0.6 mi·57 sec·New Halls Ferry Road
19
Continue on MO AC
0.3 mi·35 sec·Halls Ferry Road
20
Turn left onto Hudson Drive
0.3 mi·1 min·Hudson Drive
21
Turn right onto Edgefield Drive
0.3 mi·1 min·Edgefield Drive
22
Turn left onto Duchess Drive
0.2 mi·56 sec·Duchess Drive
23
Turn left onto Lord Drive
284 ft·12 sec·Lord Drive
24
Arrive at destination
Lord Drive
Trip Plan
Given this is a one-day trip, consider leaving Eldon in the morning to maximize daylight hours for your 3 hour 7 minute drive. The longest stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is 84 miles, so plan your first stop around or after that point. With a fuel cost estimated at $24, it's wise to ensure your tank is at least half full before departing Eldon. Keep an eye out for the transition between major highways like I 270 and US 54, as this is where the driving character changes most noticeably.
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 78.3 miles from Eldon, MO, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84 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 34 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.3 miles or 1h 31m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Castle Point, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Eldon, 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 Eldon, MO
This is one driving day of about 156.6 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Eldon, 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 84 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 154.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|South Aurora Street
Turn left onto South Aurora Street
Navigation decision point
8
144.2 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
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 232
Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
7
144.4 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 270 North: Chicago
8
145.1 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 270 North: Chicago
6
154.2 mi into trip|~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward AC: New Halls Ferry Road, Old Halls Ferry Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 30
Toward AC: New Halls Ferry Road, Old Halls Ferr...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.48 one way
$48.97 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$26.88
$53.76
premium
$4.89
$30.14
$60.27
diesel
$5.61
$34.58
$69.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47
0
$16.44
$7.52
Efficient EV
39.2
0
$13.70
$6.26
EV Truck/SUV
62.6
0
$21.92
$10.02
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Eldon, MO
Late night
in Eldon on Sunday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Castle Point, MO
Late night
in Castle Point on Sunday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
60°F
Warrenton, MO
78 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
3 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 7m 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...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
$19
near mile 157.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed drive experience, with 43% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 84 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, providing a good opportunity for consistent travel. As you progress, expect the character of the drive to shift, integrating stretches of US 54 and I 270 with potentially more varied road conditions. This blend means you'll experience both efficient highway cruising and segments that might require more attention.
43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Aurora Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 156.6 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: near the start (South Aurora Street): Navigation decision point; at 144.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Eldon, MO to Castle Point, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Memphis
144.2 mi in|~2h 48m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 156.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84 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 Castle Point, 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: near the start (South Aurora Street): Navigation decision point; at 144.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Castle Point, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
