If you are planning a trip from Florissant to Malden, expect a journey covering 200.2 miles across the heart of Missouri. This drive typically takes about 3 hours and 54 minutes, making it a manageable excursion that fits easily into a single day. You will primarily navigate via the Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, the Rosemary Straub Davison Highway, and US 60. Budgeting roughly $30 for fuel should cover your transit costs comfortably. Since the entire route stays within the Midwest, you can expect a consistent regional feel as you head south. It is an ideal distance for a straightforward day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay.
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
100.1 miles from Florissant, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
126.7 mi
2h 15m
Rosemary Straub Davison Highway
24.3 mi
30m
US 60
22.6 mi
26m
US 60 Business
16.3 mi
24m
North Douglas Street
2.3 mi
4m
Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
1.8 mi
2m
Lindbergh Boulevard
1.7 mi
3m
Rosa Parks Highway
1.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
— 126.7 mi, about 2h 15m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~719 veh/hr typical
· worst 962
Quietest
2 AM
~67 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 47 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Florissant, MO and Malden, 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
24 mi·30 min·Rosemary Straub Davison Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·27 sec
Exit 1AToward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward I 55 South: Memphis
8
Merge onto I 55
1.5 mi·1 min·Rosa Parks Highway
9
Continue on I 55
1.8 mi·2 min·Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
10
Continue on I 55
127 mi·2 hr 15 min·Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 66BToward US 60 West: Dexter, Poplar Bluff
12
Merge onto US 60
23 mi·26 min·US 60
13
Take the exit onto US 60 Business
0.3 mi·40 sec·US 60 Business
Toward MO 25, US 60 Business: Dexter, Bloomfield
14
Turn left onto US 60 Business; MO 25
16 mi·23 min·US 60 Business; MO 25
15
Continue on MO 25 Business
2.3 mi·4 min·North Douglas Street
16
Turn left onto MO 25 Business
0.2 mi·28 sec·West Main Street
17
Turn right onto MO 25 Business
442 ft·10 sec·South Madison Street
18
Turn right onto West Laclede Street
63 ft·2 sec·West Laclede Street
19
Arrive at destination
West Laclede Street
Trip Plan
Given the four-hour duration, try to depart early in the day to maximize your time once you arrive in Malden. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive, especially since the route involves significant local road mileage rather than simple interstate travel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $30 estimate assumes steady driving conditions, and local roads can sometimes impact your vehicle's efficiency. Since you have the flexibility of a single-day trip, feel free to adjust your pace to suit your comfort level. A helpful tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the transition points between the Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway and US 60 to avoid missing turns on these more local stretches.
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 100.1 miles from Florissant, MO, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 126.7 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 44 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.1 miles or 1h 55m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Malden, 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 200.2 miles and 3h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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 Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway for about 126.7 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 181.3 — 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.
8
27.4 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis...
5
27.7 mi into trip|~36m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 55 South: Memphis
6
158.1 mi into trip|~2h 57m in
Take the exit toward US 60 West: Dexter, Poplar Bluff
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 66B
Toward US 60 West: Dexter, Poplar Bluff
5
181.3 mi into trip|~3h 24m in|US 60 Business
Take the exit onto US 60 Business toward MO 25, US 60 Business: Dexter, Bloomfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MO 25, US 60 Business: Dexter, Bloomfiel...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.56 one way
$59.13 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$32.64
$65.28
premium
$4.72
$37.17
$74.34
diesel
$4.80
$37.80
$75.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.1
0
$21.02
$9.61
Efficient EV
50.1
0
$17.52
$8.01
EV Truck/SUV
80.1
1
$28.03
$12.81
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Florissant, MO
Morning
in Florissant on Sunday
Local time
6:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 2 to 8 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 8:17PM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Malden, MO
Morning
in Malden on Sunday
Local time
6:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Partly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 3 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 8:17PM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
90°F
Crystal City, MO
100 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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 54m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Established by 1750, Ste. Geneviève was the first permanent European settlement in Missouri. Early French Canadian settlers were drawn here by the rich agricultural land known as Le Grand Champ (the B...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 75.9
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
$19
near mile 27.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a turn-heavy profile that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Only 19% of the journey is spent on highways, so be prepared for a more local driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 126.7 miles. Because of the technical nature of the roads, your speed and focus will shift frequently compared to a standard freeway drive. Expect the road character to change as you transition between these specific highway segments, requiring consistent attention to navigation throughout the 200.2-mile trek.
Only 19% 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: 126.7 mi on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 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 Effort6/10
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 200.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 27.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
625 ft291 ft
Total Climb
422 ft
Total Descent
711 ft
Highest Point
625 ft
~14.3 mi in
Elevation Range
334 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Florissant, MO and Malden, MO, road signs point toward Memphis, Poplar Bluff and Bloomfield.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 54m. Total distance: 200.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 126.7 miles on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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.
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 Malden, 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. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 27.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park and Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Malden, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
