Skip to main content

Trip from Florissant, MO to Aurora, MO

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 53m

Distance

251.3 mi

404 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 40m ★
6 AM
4h 54m
8 AM
5h 21m
10 AM
5h 3m
12 PM
5h 1m
3 PM
5h 5m
5 PM
5h 19m
8 PM
4h 46m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Florissant, MO, MO

Florissant, MO

Wikimedia Commons

natural light display that occurs in the sky, primarily at high latitudes (near the Arctic and Antarctic on Earth) or even on other planets

Aurora, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embark on a 251.3-mile journey from Florissant, MO, to Aurora, MO, a trip that will take approximately 4 hours and 53 minutes. This drive is best suited as a single-day excursion, especially with a projected fuel cost of around $38. You'll navigate primarily local roads, with a significant number of turns, rather than high-speed highways, as indicated by the 0% highway share. The route stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel throughout your travels. Given the profile, it's a more engaging, turn-heavy experience perfect for a day trip.

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

125.7 miles from Florissant, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 25m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor 201.8 mi 3h 39m
US 60 18 mi 26m
Rosemary Straub Davison Highway 16.1 mi 20m
MO B 3.9 mi 6m
Dougherty Ferry Road 2.5 mi 4m
East Church Street 2 mi 3m
Lindbergh Boulevard 1.7 mi 3m
Southwest Elm Street 1.2 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor — 201.8 mi, about 3h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Florissant, MO and Aurora, MO.

1

Start on North New Florissant Road

87 ft · 5 sec · North New Florissant Road
2

Turn right onto Washington Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · Washington Street
3

Turn left onto US 67

1.7 mi · 3 min · Lindbergh Boulevard
4

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Use the right lane.
5

Merge onto I 270

16 mi · 20 min · Rosemary Straub Davison Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 28 sec
Exit 8 Toward Dougherty Ferry Road Use the slight right lane.
7

Turn right onto Dougherty Ferry Road

2.5 mi · 4 min · Dougherty Ferry Road
Use the straight lane.
8

Continue on Forest Avenue

1.0 mi · 2 min · Forest Avenue
9

Turn left onto MO 141

0.7 mi · 1 min · MO 141
10

Take the exit

105 ft · 3 sec
11

Turn right onto North Highway Drive

0.1 mi · 14 sec · North Highway Drive
12

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 13 sec
Toward I 44 West, US 50 West: Rolla
13

Merge onto I 44; US 50

202 mi · 3 hr 39 min · Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
Use the straight lane.
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 70 Toward MO MM, MO B
15

Turn left onto MO B; MO MM

3.9 mi · 6 min · MO B; MO MM
16

Continue on this road

314 ft · 11 sec · this road
17

Turn straight onto US 60; MO 413

9.0 mi · 13 min · US 60; MO 413
18

Continue on US 60; MO 14; MO 413

1.2 mi · 1 min · Southwest Elm Street
19

Continue on US 60; MO 413

5.3 mi · 7 min · US 60; MO 413
20

Continue on US 60; MO 265

3.8 mi · 5 min · US 60; MO 265
21

Turn right onto US 60 Business

2.0 mi · 3 min · East Church Street
22

Turn right onto MO 39; MO 265

96 ft · 1 sec · South Elliott Avenue
23

Arrive at destination

MO 39; MO 265

Trip Plan

With a duration of under 5 hours, this 251.3-mile trip is easily manageable as a single-day adventure. Plan to depart in the morning to allow ample time for the numerous turns and to enjoy the drive without feeling rushed. While there's only one stop recommended, the frequent turns mean you'll be engaged with the road, so consider a brief break midway to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move through local areas, and note the estimated fuel cost of $38 for budgeting. A good tip for this route is to have your GPS or navigation system readily available due to the 'turn-heavy' nature.

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 125.7 miles from Florissant, MO, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 201.8 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 55 miles or 1h 9m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 125.7 miles or 2h 25m 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 53m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aurora, MO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Florissant, 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 Florissant, MO

This is one driving day of about 251.3 miles and 4h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Florissant, 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 Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor for about 201.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and the county seat of Pulaski County, Missouri, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waynesville, MO

126 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

Byrnes Mill, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waynesville, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 125.7 miles from Florissant, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 201.8 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.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Diamond Head Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Republic, Missouri

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 21min to go 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14177325188

Visit website

Cantonese Kitchen

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Springfield, Missouri

2.4 mi

HK'S Cafe & Bistro

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Berkeley, Missouri

2 mi

Best coffee break · first break window

Cafe Amalia

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kirkwood, Missouri

Near the start, short detour

First break · 21min in 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+13146982200

Visit website

Diamond Head Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Republic, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14177325188

Visit website

Cantonese Kitchen

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Springfield, Missouri

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+14177715621

HK'S Cafe & Bistro

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately

Berkeley, Missouri

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+13145512100

Hive Cafe LLC

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30

Ferguson, Missouri

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+13149428717

Visit website

Cafe Amalia

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Kirkwood, Missouri

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+13146982200

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Springfield, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Flying J EV Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Sullivan, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15738608880

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Marshfield, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Springfield, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Dynamic Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Springfield, Missouri

+18332172197

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Sullivan, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Dynamic EVC Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Republic, Missouri

+18332172197

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.4 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Rolla, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Saint Clair Rest Area (Westbound)

0.1 mi from route

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

Flying J Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

QuikTrip

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

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

Rest Area

1.5 mi from route

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 225.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
3.1 mi into trip | ~6m in | I 270 / Rosemary Straub Davison Highway

Merge onto I 270 / Rosemary Straub Davison Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
19.3 mi into trip | ~26m in

Take the exit toward Dougherty Ferry Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 8 Toward Dougherty Ferry Road
5
23.9 mi into trip | ~35m in

Take the ramp toward I 44 West, US 50 West: Rolla

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 44 West, US 50 West: Rolla
5
24.1 mi into trip | ~35m in | I 44; US 50 / Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor

Merge onto I 44; US 50 / Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
225.9 mi into trip | ~4h 14m in

Take the exit toward MO MM, MO B

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 70 Toward MO MM, MO B

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$39.29 one way

$78.58 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 88 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $43.14 $86.27
premium $4.89 $48.36 $96.72
diesel $5.61 $55.48 $110.97

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 87.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 75.4 0 $26.39 $12.06
Efficient EV 62.8 0 $21.99 $10.05
EV Truck/SUV 100.5 1 $35.18 $16.08

Gas CO2

88 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 16, 2026

Origin

Florissant, MO

Late night in Florissant on Tuesday

Local time

4:24 AM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Aurora, MO

Late night in Aurora on Tuesday

Local time

4:24 AM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 13 mph 24% chance Live forecast

70°F

Waynesville, MO

126 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

4h 53m 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

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...

4 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 234
Caution: BE AWARE OF HIGH-WATER DANGER
View on nps.gov
Gateway Arch National Park

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...

13 mi from route ~33 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 route is characterized by its frequent turns, making it a 'turn-heavy local drive' with no highway mileage. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not specified, suggesting a dynamic driving experience with regular changes in direction and speed. Expect to be actively navigating through local roads for the majority of the 251.3 miles, rather than cruising on open highways. This means you'll likely experience a variety of road conditions and speeds as you make your way from Florissant to Aurora.

Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 201.8 mi on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in near I 270 / Rosemary Straub Davison Highway.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 251.3 miles you will encounter 13 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: at 3.1 miles (I 270 / Rosemary Straub Davison Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Florissant, MO to Aurora, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Mo B along the way.

Mo B

225.9 mi in | ~4h 14m

About the Cities

Arriving in Aurora, MO

Full guide →

Aurora is a small town in the Southwest Missouri Region of the Missouri Ozarks.

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 53m. Total distance: 251.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (7%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 201.8 miles on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 20 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 3.1 miles (I 270 / Rosemary Straub Davison Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Aurora, 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Florissant, MO or browse trips ending in Aurora, MO.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.