Kissee Mills to Saint Charles is 263.5 miles and takes about 5h 2m via I 44 and US 160, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, taking you from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Expect a drive that is almost entirely on major highways, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. It's a practical choice if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
131.8 miles from Kissee Mills, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 44
193 mi
3h 29m
US 160
15.4 mi
23m
I 270
12.6 mi
15m
American Legion Memorial Highway
12.2 mi
14m
US Highway 65
12 mi
13m
Schoolcraft Freeway
10.7 mi
13m
I 70
2.7 mi
3m
South Fifth Street
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 193 mi, about 3h 29m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,737 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,365
Quietest
2 AM
~188 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Kissee Mills, MO and Saint Charles, MO.
1
Start on MO O
97 ft·2 sec·MO O
2
Turn slight left onto US 160
1.1 mi·1 min·US 160
3
Turn sharp left onto US 160; MO 76
2.9 mi·4 min·US 160; MO 76
4
Enter roundabout onto US 160
126 ft·2 sec·US 160
5
Continue on US 160
11 mi·16 min·US 160
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
7
Merge onto US 65
1.3 mi·1 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
8
Continue on US 65
12 mi·13 min·US Highway 65
9
Continue on US 65
11 mi·12 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
10
Continue on US 65
11 mi·13 min·Schoolcraft Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·54 sec
Toward I 44 East: Saint Louis
12
Merge onto I 44
193 mi·3 hr 29 min·I 44
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Exit 276Toward I 270: Chicago, MemphisUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·11 sec
Toward I 270 North: ChicagoUse the slight left lane.
15
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·52 sec·this road
Exit 276Toward I 270 North: Chicago
16
Merge onto I 270
13 mi·15 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 20AToward I 70: Kansas City, Saint Louis, Saint Louis Lambert International AirportUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·11 sec
Toward I 70 West: Kansas CityUse the slight left lane.
19
Continue on this road
0.6 mi·57 sec·this road
Exit 20BToward I 70 West: Kansas City
20
Merge onto I 70
2.7 mi·3 min·I 70
21
Take the exit onto I 70 Business
0.2 mi·17 sec·I 70 Business
Exit 229BToward I 70 Business: Fifth StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork
231 ft·5 sec
Toward I 70 Business: Fifth Street North, Bass Pro Drive, Ameristar BoulevardUse the right lane.
23
Turn slight right onto I 70 Business
1.0 mi·2 min·South Fifth Street
Use the right lane.
24
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
0.2 mi·44 sec·Jefferson Street
25
Turn left onto North Second Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·North Second Street
26
Arrive at destination
North Second Street
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, leaving in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility with stops; consider a break around the halfway point to stretch. With 94% of the route on highways, planning your fuel stops is straightforward, especially with an estimated cost of $42. Keep an eye on the exit numbers on I 44 as they can help you gauge your progress over the 193-mile stretch.
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 131.8 miles from Kissee Mills, MO, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 193 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 58 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.8 miles or 2h 33m 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 4m
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 Kissee Mills, 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 Kissee Mills, MO
This is one driving day of about 263.5 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Kissee Mills, 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 193 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 244.1 and 262.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
244.1 mi into trip|~4h 35m in
Take the exit toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
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 276
Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
8
244.3 mi into trip|~4h 35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 270 North: Chicago
8
257.5 mi into trip|~4h 52m 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
258.5 mi into trip|~4h 53m 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
262.1 mi into trip|~4h 58m 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
$43.95 one way
$87.91 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$47.77
$95.54
premium
$5.26
$54.56
$109.11
diesel
$6.18
$64.10
$128.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.1
0
$27.67
$12.65
Efficient EV
65.9
0
$23.06
$10.54
EV Truck/SUV
105.4
1
$36.89
$16.86
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Kissee Mills, MO
Morning
in Kissee Mills on Tuesday
Local time
6:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
E 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Saint Charles, MO
Morning
in Saint Charles on Tuesday
Local time
6:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
SE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
80°F
Dixon, MO
132 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
2 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
5h 2m 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.
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 36.4
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
$19
near mile 245.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for 94% of this 263.5-mile drive. The majority of your time will be spent on I 44, where you'll encounter the longest stretch of uninterrupted driving at 193 miles. Expect a consistent flow of traffic and frequent exits along this interstate segment. The transition to surface roads will occur as you approach your destination.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 193 mi on I 44.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and US 160. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 244.1 miles in.
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 16 significant decision points across 263.5 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 244.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 244.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 257.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,485 ft491 ft
Total Climb
795 ft
Total Descent
1,290 ft
Highest Point
1,485 ft
~56.6 mi in
Elevation Range
994 ft
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 Kissee Mills, MO to Saint Charles, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
St. Charles, Missouri is outside of St. Louis on the bank of the Missouri River. It was Missouri's first state capital and was one of the first stops by Lewis and Clark on their journey to explore Louisiana Territory. The historic Main Street has largely been restored to its 1812-era appearance including gas lights a boardwalk and is lined with shops selling artwork, handicrafts, home decorations, antiques. There are also many restaurants.
Top landmarks
•First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site — historic site in Missouri, United States
•African Church — church building in Missouri, United States of America
•Frenchtown Historic District — historic district in St. Charles County, Missouri
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 2m. Total distance: 263.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 193 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 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 244.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 244.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 257.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Wilson's Creek National Battlefield and Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Saint Charles, MO before the return drive.
