Traveling from Kirksville to Chesterfield, Missouri, covers 187.6 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes of driving time. Because the trip is relatively straightforward, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to budget for an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $28 on fuel for the journey, making this a budget-friendly way to navigate the Midwest. You will rely on a mix of thoroughfares, specifically the Avenue of the Saints, the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, and US 63. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a functional connection between the two Missouri locales.
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
93.8 miles from Kirksville, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
90.2 mi
1h 47m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
52.9 mi
1h 1m
US 63
28.6 mi
32m
V.F.W. Memorial Highway
5.8 mi
6m
North Baltimore Street
4 mi
6m
Veterans Road
2.1 mi
3m
Chesterfield Airport Road
1.2 mi
2m
East Illinois Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 90.2 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kirksville, MO and Chesterfield, MO.
1
Start on North Franklin Street
0.2 mi·42 sec·North Franklin Street
2
Turn right onto East Illinois Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East Illinois Street
3
Turn right onto US 63 Bus
4.0 mi·6 min·North Baltimore Street
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·21 sec
Toward US 63 South: Macon
5
Merge onto US 63
29 mi·32 min·US 63
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·12 sec
Toward US 36 East, MO 110 East: Hannibal
7
Merge onto US 36; MO 110
53 mi·1 hr 1 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
8
Continue on US 24; US 36; MO 110
5.8 mi·6 min·V.F.W. Memorial Highway
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward Veterans Road
10
Turn right onto Veterans Road
2.1 mi·3 min·Veterans Road
11
At end of road, turn left onto County Road 422
279 ft·6 sec·County Road 422
12
Continue on Paris Gravel Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Paris Gravel Road
13
Take the ramp
120 ft·3 sec
14
Merge onto US 61
90 mi·1 hr 47 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the right lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 17Toward Boone's CrossingUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto Boone's Crossing
0.1 mi·21 sec·Boone's Crossing
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto Chesterfield Airport Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Chesterfield Airport Road
18
Turn slight right
212 ft·7 sec
Toward Baxter RoadUse the right lane.
19
Turn slight right onto Baxter Road
0.3 mi·33 sec·Baxter Road
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto Old Chesterfield Road
0.2 mi·40 sec·Old Chesterfield Road
21
Turn right onto Santa Maria Drive
107 ft·4 sec·Santa Maria Drive
22
Arrive at destination
Santa Maria Drive
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3 hour and 45 minute travel time, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive. Since the route is manageable in a single day, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best, though mid-morning starts can help you avoid any unexpected traffic. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 90.2-mile stretch on the Avenue of the Saints, as service availability can vary compared to more populated areas. By pacing yourself and utilizing the single stop effectively, you can keep the fatigue of a nearly 200-mile drive to a minimum. Staying mindful of the highway-to-local road transitions will ensure you arrive in Chesterfield feeling refreshed and ready for your next move.
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 93.8 miles from Kirksville, MO, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.2 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 41 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.8 miles or 1h 51m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chesterfield, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kirksville, 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 Kirksville, MO
This is one driving day of about 187.6 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Kirksville, 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 90.2 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 33.5 and 185.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
33.5 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward US 36 East, MO 110 East: Hannibal
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 36 East, MO 110 East: Hannibal
4
92.5 mi into trip|~1h 48m in
Take the exit toward Veterans Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Veterans Road
5
95.4 mi into trip|~1h 54m 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
185.6 mi into trip|~3h 41m in
Take the exit toward Boone's Crossing
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 17
Toward Boone's Crossing
5
185.8 mi into trip|~3h 42m in|Boone's Crossing
Turn right onto Boone's Crossing
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.33 one way
$58.66 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$32.20
$64.40
premium
$4.89
$36.10
$72.20
diesel
$5.61
$41.42
$82.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.3
0
$19.70
$9.00
Efficient EV
46.9
0
$16.42
$7.50
EV Truck/SUV
75
0
$26.26
$12.01
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Kirksville, MO
Late night
in Kirksville on Tuesday
Local time
4:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chesterfield, MO
Late night
in Chesterfield on Tuesday
Local time
4:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°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
8 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 45m 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.
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
$19
near mile 187.6
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 mixed driving profile, balancing high-speed highway travel with more localized segments. About 43% of your journey will be spent on major highways, providing a steady pace for a large portion of the 187.6 miles. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch along the Avenue of the Saints, which spans 90.2 miles of the trip. As you transition between the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and US 63, the road feel shifts, moving from expansive highway driving to the varied conditions typical of regional Missouri transit. Expect the drive to feel efficient, as the route balances faster stretches with the necessary transitions required to reach your destination.
43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.2 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 33.5 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
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 187.6 miles you will encounter 18 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 33.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 95.4 miles (US 61 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 45m. Total distance: 187.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (43%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 90.2 miles on Avenue of the Saints. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 33.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 95.4 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Chesterfield, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
