Gallatin, MO to St. Louis, MO is 272.9 miles and takes about 5h 28m via Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and Avenue of the Saints, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It’s a fairly straightforward drive that’s well-suited for a single day. You’ll experience a mix of highway and surface roads on this route. Consider this drive if you're looking for a direct path between these two points with a moderate amount of driving time.
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
136.5 miles from Gallatin, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
136.6 mi
2h 37m
Avenue of the Saints
101.3 mi
2h 1m
South Main Street
14 mi
20m
V.F.W. Memorial Highway
5.8 mi
6m
Jack Buck Memorial Highway
5.8 mi
7m
Daniel Boone Expressway
5.7 mi
7m
Veterans Road
2.1 mi
3m
Paris Gravel Road
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
— 136.6 mi, about 2h 37m
Traffic on I-64
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 9 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~5,652 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,927
Quietest
2 AM
~160 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
35.3×
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 Gallatin, MO and St. Louis, MO.
1
Start on West Grand Street
222 ft·8 sec·West Grand Street
2
Turn right onto MO 13
14 mi·20 min·South Main Street
3
Take the ramp onto US 36 Business
0.1 mi·8 sec·US 36 Business
Toward US 36 East, MO 110 East: Chillicothe
4
Merge onto US 36; MO 110
137 mi·2 hr 37 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
5
Continue on US 24; US 36; MO 110
5.8 mi·6 min·V.F.W. Memorial Highway
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward Veterans Road
7
Turn right onto Veterans Road
2.1 mi·3 min·Veterans Road
8
At end of road, turn left onto County Road 422
279 ft·6 sec·County Road 422
9
Continue on Paris Gravel Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Paris Gravel Road
10
Take the ramp
120 ft·3 sec
11
Merge onto US 61
101 mi·2 hr 1 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the right lane.
12
Continue on I 64; US 40
5.7 mi·7 min·Daniel Boone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on I 64; US 40
5.8 mi·7 min·Jack Buck Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 39AToward 14th StreetUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn left onto South 14th Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·South 14th Street
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto Market Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Market Street
17
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 28m estimated drive time, starting your trip in the morning is ideal to ensure you arrive with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of highway, as services can be spaced out. The $42 fuel cost is a helpful estimate for budgeting. Since this is a single-day trip, aim to get on the road early to make the most of your time and avoid late-night driving, particularly as you transition off the main expressways.
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 136.5 miles from Gallatin, MO, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.6 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 60 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.5 miles or 2h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 27m
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 Gallatin, 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 Gallatin, MO
This is one driving day of about 272.9 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Gallatin, 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 Chicago-Kansas City Expressway for about 136.6 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 272.4 — 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 13 / South Main Street
Turn right onto MO 13 / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
14 mi into trip|~20m in|US 36 Business
Take the ramp onto US 36 Business toward US 36 East, MO 110 East: Chillicothe
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 36 East, MO 110 East: Chillicothe
5
159.5 mi into trip|~3h 10m in|US 61 / Avenue of the Saints
Merge onto US 61 / Avenue of the Saints
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
272.2 mi into trip|~5h 26m in
Take the exit toward 14th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 39A
Toward 14th Street
5
272.4 mi into trip|~5h 26m in|South 14th Street
Turn left onto South 14th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.30 one way
$80.60 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$44.49
$88.98
premium
$4.72
$50.67
$101.34
diesel
$4.80
$51.53
$103.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.9
1
$28.65
$13.10
Efficient EV
68.2
0
$23.88
$10.92
EV Truck/SUV
109.2
1
$38.21
$17.47
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Gallatin, MO
Morning
in Gallatin on Sunday
Local time
10:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
SW 6 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 10:48PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 8:35PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
St. Louis, MO
Morning
in St. Louis on Sunday
Local time
10:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 10:48PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 8:35PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
88°F
Independence, IL
136 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
4 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
5h 28m 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.
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 route is about 52% highway, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on faster roads. The longest continuous stretch on the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway measures 136.6 miles. After that, expect to transition to surface roads, which will likely involve more local traffic and potentially more frequent stops. You'll notice the change from high-speed cruising to a more suburban or town-like pace as you move onto Avenue of the Saints and then South Main Street.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 136.6 mi on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MO 13 / South Main Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 28m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MO 13 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 14 miles (US 36 Business): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.5 miles (US 61 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Top landmarks
•Gateway Arch — monument in St. Louis, Missouri
•Missouri Botanical Garden — non-profit organization in the USA
•Gateway Arch National Park — American National Park in St. Louis, Missouri
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 136.6 miles on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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.
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 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MO 13 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 14 miles (US 36 Business): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.5 miles (US 61 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at St. Louis, MO before the return drive.
