If you are planning a trip from Gladstone to Jefferson City, expect a straightforward journey covering 163.3 miles. You will spend about 3 hours and 8 minutes on the road, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. Budget approximately $25 for fuel to complete the transit between these two Missouri locations. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, the transition between them feels like a consistent regional experience. While you could easily make the trip in one go, planning for one scheduled stop will help keep you refreshed for the duration of the drive.
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
81.7 miles from Gladstone, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
54.3 mi
58m
US 63
28.5 mi
31m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
5.6 mi
6m
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
4.4 mi
5m
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi
2m
Northeast Chouteau Trafficway
1.7 mi
3m
North Chouteau Trafficway
1.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
— 54.4 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gladstone, MO and Jefferson City, MO.
1
Start on North Garfield Avenue
413 ft·20 sec·North Garfield Avenue
2
Turn right onto Northeast 61st Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Northeast 61st Street
3
Turn right onto MO 1
0.7 mi·1 min·North Antioch Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto Northeast Chouteau Trafficway
1.7 mi·3 min·Northeast Chouteau Trafficway
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on MO 269
1.6 mi·2 min·Northeast Chouteau Parkway
6
Continue on MO 269
1.7 mi·2 min·North Chouteau Trafficway
7
Turn left onto East Front Street
1.2 mi·2 min·East Front Street
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 435 South: Grandview
9
Merge onto I 435
4.4 mi·5 min·Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24
0.3 mi·23 sec·US 24
Exit 63Toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Kansas City, Sports Complex
11
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·1 min
Toward I 70 East: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
469 ft·11 sec
Toward I 70 East: Saint LouisUse the slight left / straight lanes.
32 mi·34 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi·24 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
20
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
21
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
22
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.5 mi·1 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 128AToward US 63: Jefferson City, Moberly
24
Turn slight right
192 ft·4 sec
Toward US 63 South: Jefferson City
25
Merge onto US 63 Conn
521 ft·11 sec·US 63 Conn
Use the slight right lane.
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward US 63 South: Jefferson CityUse the straight lane.
27
Merge onto US 63
27 mi·29 min·US 63
28
Take the exit onto US 63
1.3 mi·1 min·US 63
Toward US 54 West, US 63 South: Jefferson City
29
Take the exit
388 ft·18 sec
Toward State Capitol
30
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.6 mi·1 min·West Main Street
31
Turn right onto Broadway Street
446 ft·26 sec·Broadway Street
32
Turn left onto West High Street
0.2 mi·38 sec·West High Street
33
Turn right
254 ft·25 sec
34
At end of road, turn left onto East Wall Way
6 ft·0 sec·East Wall Way
35
Arrive at destination
East Wall Way
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour journey, consider departing early in the morning to avoid local traffic congestion. Since the route involves significant local road mileage, stay alert for changing speed limits and intersection turns. One well-timed stop is all you need to maintain your energy levels across the 163.3-mile distance. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule. A concrete tip for this specific drive is to keep your navigation system active, as the transition between the three main highways and local roads can be easy to miss if you aren't watching your exits.
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 81.7 miles from Gladstone, MO, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.4 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 36 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.7 miles or 1h 36m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jefferson City, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gladstone, 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 Gladstone, MO
This is one driving day of about 163.3 miles and 3h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Gladstone, 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 U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway for about 54.4 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 133.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|MO 1 / North Antioch Road
Turn right onto MO 1 / North Antioch Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
11.9 mi into trip|~20m in|US 24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24 toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Kansas City, Sports Complex
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 63
Toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Ka...
7
12.2 mi into trip|~20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
7
13.4 mi into trip|~22m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
7
133.4 mi into trip|~2h 33m in|US 63 Conn
Merge onto US 63 Conn
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.53 one way
$51.06 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.03
$56.06
premium
$4.89
$31.43
$62.85
diesel
$5.61
$36.05
$72.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49
0
$17.15
$7.84
Efficient EV
40.8
0
$14.29
$6.53
EV Truck/SUV
65.3
0
$22.86
$10.45
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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 20, 2026
Origin
Gladstone, MO
Late night
in Gladstone on Tuesday
Local time
4:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jefferson City, MO
Late night
in Jefferson City on Tuesday
Local time
4:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
5 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 8m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. You will traverse a mix of thoroughfares, including the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, and US 63. With only 19% of the trip spent on highways, the route relies heavily on local roads that shift the pace of your travel. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during the 54.4 miles spent on the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that requires more frequent navigation than a standard highway trek.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.4 mi on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near MO 1 / North Antioch Road.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 163.3 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: at 0.4 miles (MO 1 / North Antioch Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.9 miles (US 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
938 ft632 ft
Total Climb
378 ft
Total Descent
683 ft
Highest Point
938 ft
Elevation Range
306 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gladstone, MO and Jefferson City, MO, road signs point toward Kansas City, Sports Complex and Moberly.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 8m. Total distance: 163.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.4 miles on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial 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 Jefferson City, 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: at 0.4 miles (MO 1 / North Antioch Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.9 miles (US 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Jefferson City, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
