Traveling from Highlandville to Castle Point covers 238.5 miles across Missouri, making for a straightforward journey that fits easily into a single day of driving. You should anticipate roughly 4 hours and 38 minutes behind the wheel, assuming typical traffic conditions. With a fuel budget of approximately $36, this trip remains an affordable way to traverse the Midwest. Since the entire route stays within Missouri, you will experience a consistent regional feel from start to finish. It functions best as a direct, one-day transit rather than a multi-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
119.2 miles from Highlandville, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 44
197.7 mi
3h 35m
Schoolcraft Freeway
10.7 mi
13m
American Legion Memorial Highway
10.1 mi
11m
Jennings Station Road
3.3 mi
6m
MO EE
3 mi
7m
South Skinker Boulevard
2.8 mi
5m
Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
2.7 mi
3m
Halls Ferry Road
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 197.7 mi, about 3h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highlandville, MO and Castle Point, MO.
1
Start on Kentling Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Kentling Avenue
2
Turn left onto MO EE
3.0 mi·7 min·MO EE
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward US 65 North: Springfield
4
Merge onto US 65
10 mi·11 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
5
Continue on US 65
11 mi·13 min·Schoolcraft Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·54 sec
Toward I 44 East: Saint Louis
7
Merge onto I 44
198 mi·3 hr 35 min·I 44
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 44
2.7 mi·3 min·Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
9
Continue on I 44
0.6 mi·47 sec·Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 284Toward Jamieson AvenueUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
227 ft·6 sec
Toward Jamieson Avenue
12
Turn left onto Jamieson Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Jamieson Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
At end of road, turn left onto Arsenal Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·Arsenal Street
14
Turn right onto McCausland Avenue
1.6 mi·2 min·McCausland Avenue
15
Continue on South Skinker Boulevard
2.8 mi·5 min·South Skinker Boulevard
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on Kienlen Avenue
1.6 mi·2 min·Kienlen Avenue
17
Continue on Jennings Station Road
3.3 mi·6 min·Jennings Station Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Turn left onto Halls Ferry Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Halls Ferry Road
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto Chambers Road
0.4 mi·38 sec·Chambers Road
20
Turn left onto Lord Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Lord Drive
21
Arrive at destination
Lord Drive
Trip Plan
To keep your 4-hour and 38-minute drive manageable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since the majority of your time is spent on I-44, keep an eye on traffic patterns and potential construction delays that can impact your pace on such a long, high-speed stretch. Departing early in the day is your best strategy to avoid peak traffic congestion near urban centers. Given the $36 fuel estimate, topping off your tank before hitting the interstate will help you maintain a steady rhythm. Use your single planned stop to reset, as the nearly 200-mile stretch on I-44 can be mentally fatiguing.
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 119.2 miles from Highlandville, MO, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 197.7 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 52 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.2 miles or 2h 17m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Castle Point, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Highlandville, 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 Highlandville, MO
This is one driving day of about 238.5 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Highlandville, 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 44 for about 197.7 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 226.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.3 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the ramp toward US 65 North: Springfield
Navigation decision point
Toward US 65 North: Springfield
5
24.9 mi into trip|~34m in|I 44
Merge onto I 44
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
226 mi into trip|~4h 14m in
Take the exit toward Jamieson Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 284
Toward Jamieson Avenue
6
226.2 mi into trip|~4h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Jamieson Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Jamieson Avenue
5
226.2 mi into trip|~4h 14m in|Jamieson Avenue
Turn left onto Jamieson Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.29 one way
$74.57 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$40.94
$81.88
premium
$4.89
$45.90
$91.79
diesel
$5.61
$52.66
$105.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.6
0
$25.04
$11.45
Efficient EV
59.6
0
$20.87
$9.54
EV Truck/SUV
95.4
1
$33.39
$15.26
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Highlandville, MO
Night
in Highlandville on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Castle Point, MO
Night
in Castle Point on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Washington, MO
119 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
16 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
4h 38m 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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
$19
near mile 230.2
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 16.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with about 87% of your travel spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate stretches of I-44, the Schoolcraft Freeway, and the American Legion Memorial Highway as you progress toward your destination. Be prepared for a significant long-haul segment, as your longest uninterrupted stretch covers 197.7 miles on I-44. While the ride is efficient and fast-paced, the dominance of interstate driving means the experience is more about utility and speed than technical or winding local roads. Expect a consistent, predictable driving environment as you move through these primary corridors.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 197.7 mi on I 44.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and Schoolcraft Freeway. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in.
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 238.5 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 3.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 24.9 miles (I 44): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 226 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,468 ft998 ft
Total Climb
0 ft
Total Descent
470 ft
Highest Point
1,468 ft
~29.8 mi in
Elevation Range
470 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 38m. Total distance: 238.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 197.7 miles on I 44. 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 Castle Point, 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 3.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 24.9 miles (I 44): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 226 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park and Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Castle Point, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
