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Trip from Hayti, MO to Saint Charles, MO

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 47m

Distance

203.7 mi

328 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 35m ★
6 AM
3h 48m
8 AM
4h 13m
10 AM
3h 57m
12 PM
3h 54m
3 PM
3h 58m
5 PM
4h 12m
8 PM
3h 40m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Hayti, MO, MO

Hayti, MO

Valeria Boltneva

city in and county seat of St. Charles County, Missouri, United States

Saint Charles, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 203.7-mile drive from Hayti, MO to Saint Charles, MO is a straightforward, highway-focused journey, easily manageable as a single-day trip. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 47 minutes on the road, with the bulk of your travel happening on I-55, I-270, and I-70. With 97% of the route on highways, this is a direct path for getting where you need to go. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $32, making it an economical option for a quick getaway or a necessary commute. Both your origin and destination are within the Midwest region, so you'll be traversing familiar territory.

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

101.9 miles from Hayti, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 175.7 mi 3h 8m
I 270 18.1 mi 22m
I 70 2.7 mi 3m
Rosa Parks Highway 1.3 mi 1m
East Washington Street 1.1 mi 2m
South Fifth Street 1 mi 2m
Jefferson Street 0.2 mi <1m
North Second Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 175.7 mi, about 3h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hayti, MO and Saint Charles, MO.

1

Start on South 3rd Street

108 ft · 8 sec · South 3rd Street
2

Turn right onto MO 84

1.1 mi · 2 min · East Washington Street
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward I 55 North, US 61 North: Sikeston
4

Merge onto I 55; US 61

74 mi · 1 hr 19 min · I 55; US 61
5

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

102 mi · 1 hr 49 min · I 55
6

Continue on I 55

1.3 mi · 1 min · Rosa Parks Highway
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 196 Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago Use the slight right lane.
8

Keep slight left at fork

388 ft · 8 sec
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City Use the slight left lane.
9

Continue on this road

0.7 mi · 1 min · this road
Exit 196 Toward I 270 West
10

Merge onto I 270

18 mi · 22 min · I 270
Use the straight lane.
11

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 20A Toward I 70: Kansas City, Saint Louis, Saint Louis Lambert International Airport Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 11 sec
Toward I 70 West: Kansas City Use the slight left lane.
13

Continue on this road

0.6 mi · 57 sec · this road
Exit 20B Toward I 70 West: Kansas City
14

Merge onto I 70

2.7 mi · 3 min · I 70
15

Take the exit onto I 70 Business

0.2 mi · 17 sec · I 70 Business
Exit 229B Toward I 70 Business: Fifth Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight right at fork

231 ft · 5 sec
Toward I 70 Business: Fifth Street North, Bass Pro Drive, Ameristar Boulevard Use the right lane.
17

Turn slight right onto I 70 Business

1.0 mi · 2 min · South Fifth Street
Use the right lane.
18

Turn right onto Jefferson Street

0.2 mi · 44 sec · Jefferson Street
19

Turn left onto North Second Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · North Second Street
20

Arrive at destination

North Second Street

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour and 47-minute trip, leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive with plenty of daylight. Since it's a relatively short drive at 203.7 miles, you have the flexibility to make spontaneous stops if needed, though only one official stop is factored into the general plan. The longest stretch without a major change in direction is 175.7 miles on I-55, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, perhaps before embarking on that long segment. Keep an eye on traffic as you get closer to the St. Louis area, as congestion can impact your arrival time.

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 101.9 miles from Hayti, MO, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 175.7 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 45 miles or 49m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 101.9 miles or 1h 50m 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

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Hayti, 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 Hayti, MO

This is one driving day of about 203.7 miles and 3h 47m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Hayti, 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 I 55 for about 175.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

census-designated place in St. Louis County, Missouri

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Oakville, MO

102 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

Charleston, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Campton, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 101.9 miles from Hayti, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 175.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

QTea Vietnamese Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Arnold, Missouri

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 174.6

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+16363332869

Visit website

The Wine Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Charles, Missouri

0.5 mi

84 Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hayti, Missouri

0.9 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Cafe Amalia

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kirkwood, Missouri

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 189.2

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+13146982200

Visit website

QTea Vietnamese Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 174.6

Arnold, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+16363332869

Visit website

The Wine Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 203.7

St Charles, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+16364108002

Visit website

84 Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hayti, Missouri

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+15739305044

Hungry Hippo Cafe

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 14.6

Portageville, Missouri

Hours: 10 am–1:30 pm

+15734122142

Cafe Genevieve

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 131

Ste. Genevieve, Missouri

Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm

+15738833562

Subway

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour Inexpensiv mile 87.3

Jackson, Missouri

Hours: 8:30 am–9:30 pm

+15732043092

Visit website

Cafe Amalia

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 189.2

Kirkwood, Missouri

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+13146982200

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 178.4 and 202.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
178.4 mi into trip | ~3h 13m in

Take the exit toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago

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 196 Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chi...
8
178.7 mi into trip | ~3h 13m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 West: Kansas City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
8
197.6 mi into trip | ~3h 37m in

Take the exit toward I 70: Kansas City, Saint Louis, Saint Louis Lambert International Airport

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 20A Toward I 70: Kansas City, Saint Louis, Saint Lo...
7
198.7 mi into trip | ~3h 39m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 West: Kansas City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 70 West: Kansas City
9
202.3 mi into trip | ~3h 43m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 70 Business: Fifth Street North, Bass Pro Drive, Ameristar Boulevard

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward I 70 Business: Fifth Street North, Bass...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.85 one way

$63.69 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 71 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $34.97 $69.93
premium $4.89 $39.20 $78.40
diesel $5.61 $44.97 $89.95

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 71.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 61.1 0 $21.39 $9.78
Efficient EV 50.9 0 $17.82 $8.15
EV Truck/SUV 81.5 1 $28.52 $13.04

Gas CO2

71 kg

EV CO2

24 kg (66% 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 16, 2026

Origin

Hayti, MO

Night in Hayti on Saturday

Local time

11:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Saint Charles, MO

Night in Saint Charles on Saturday

Local time

11:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

84°F

Sunny

SW 8 mph 5% chance Live forecast

64°F

Oakville, MO

102 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

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 47m 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

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...

6 mi from route ~14 min detour Free near mile 133.9
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 near mile 183.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Predominantly a highway-focused drive, you'll experience 97% of this 203.7-mile route on major interstates. The personality of the drive is characterized by efficient travel, with a significant uninterrupted stretch of 175.7 miles on I-55. This means you can settle in and cover a lot of ground without frequent exits or slowdowns. While the majority of the journey is on high-speed roadways, be prepared for the transition as you approach the St. Louis metropolitan area and eventually Saint Charles.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 175.7 mi on I 55.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 270. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 178.4 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 15 significant decision points across 203.7 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 178.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 178.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 197.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 Hayti, MO to Saint Charles, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago along the way.

Chicago

178.4 mi in | ~3h 13m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 47m. Total distance: 203.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 175.7 miles on I 55. 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 Saint Charles, 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 178.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 178.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 197.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Saint Charles, 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.

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