Kissee Mills, MO to Saint Peters, MO is 255.7 miles and takes about 5h 3m via I 44 and US 160, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Missouri, taking you from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Most of the route is on highways, making for a straightforward trip. Plan for a single day of driving, as the duration is manageable for most drivers. It's a practical option if you need to get between these two points 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
127.8 miles from Kissee Mills, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 44
170.3 mi
3h 3m
US 160
15.4 mi
23m
Manchester Road
13.4 mi
18m
American Legion Memorial Highway
12.2 mi
14m
US Highway 65
12 mi
13m
Schoolcraft Freeway
10.7 mi
13m
MO 109
4.9 mi
7m
Mid Rivers Mall Drive
4.7 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 170.3 mi, about 3h 3m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,442 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,784
Quietest
2 AM
~180 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
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 Peters, 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
170 mi·3 hr 3 min·I 44
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 253Toward I 44 Business, MO 100 East: Gray SummitUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn left onto MO 100
13 mi·18 min·Manchester Road
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward MO 109
16
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
224 ft·4 sec·MO 109
17
Continue on MO 109
515 ft·10 sec·MO 109
18
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
98 ft·1 sec·MO 109
19
Continue on MO 109
0.4 mi·45 sec·MO 109
20
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
94 ft·2 sec·MO 109
21
Continue on MO 109
4.3 mi·6 min·MO 109
22
Enter roundabout onto South Eatherton Road
94 ft·1 sec·South Eatherton Road
23
Continue on South Eatherton Road
2.4 mi·4 min·South Eatherton Road
24
Continue on Olive Street Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Olive Street Road
25
Take the ramp onto Chesterfield Airport Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Chesterfield Airport Road
26
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
2.7 mi·3 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 10Toward MO 94: Defiance, Saint CharlesUse the slight right lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft·4 sec
Toward MO 94 East: Saint CharlesUse the right lane.
29
Merge onto MO 94
3.4 mi·4 min·MO 94
Use the right lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Pitman Hill RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn left onto Mid Rivers Mall Drive
4.7 mi·9 min·Mid Rivers Mall Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
32
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·20 sec
Toward I 70 West: WentzvilleUse the slight left lane.
33
Merge onto I 70
479 ft·6 sec·I 70
34
Arrive at destination
I 70
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time, departing in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach your destination without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your break strategically along the 170.3-mile stretch on I 44. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on the highway segments, as services can sometimes be spread out. The estimated fuel cost of $39 is a good baseline for budgeting. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure 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 127.8 miles from Kissee Mills, MO, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 170.3 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 56 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.8 miles or 2h 28m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Peters, 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 255.7 miles and 5h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 170.3 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 250.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.1 mi into trip|~1m in|US 160; MO 76
Turn sharp left onto US 160; MO 76
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
8
221.3 mi into trip|~4h 8m in
Take the exit toward I 44 Business, MO 100 East: Gray Summit
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 253
Toward I 44 Business, MO 100 East: Gray Summit
8
246.7 mi into trip|~4h 47m in
Take the exit toward MO 94: Defiance, Saint Charles
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 10
Toward MO 94: Defiance, Saint Charles
8
246.9 mi into trip|~4h 47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MO 94 East: Saint Charles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward MO 94 East: Saint Charles
8
250.4 mi into trip|~4h 52m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Pitman Hill Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Pitman Hill Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.65 one way
$85.31 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$46.36
$92.72
premium
$5.26
$52.94
$105.88
diesel
$6.18
$62.20
$124.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.7
0
$26.85
$12.27
Efficient EV
63.9
0
$22.37
$10.23
EV Truck/SUV
102.3
1
$35.80
$16.36
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 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 18, 2026
Origin
Kissee Mills, MO
Morning
in Kissee Mills on Monday
Local time
7:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
SE 1 to 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Saint Peters, MO
Morning
in Saint Peters on Monday
Local time
7:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Sunny
SE 1 to 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
79°F
Cuba, MO
128 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
1 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 3m 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 44.1
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
$19
near mile 238.1
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 high highway share of 85%, meaning you'll spend most of your time on faster roads. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 170.3 miles on I 44. You'll transition from US 160 to I 44, and eventually to Manchester Road, which is a surface street. Expect a consistent flow of exits and traffic as you approach Saint Peters.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 170.3 mi on I 44.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 1.1 miles in near US 160; MO 76.
Driving Effort9/10
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 21 significant decision points across 255.7 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 1.1 miles (US 160; MO 76): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 221.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 246.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 3m. Total distance: 255.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 170.3 miles on I 44. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Peters, 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. There are 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (US 160; MO 76): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 221.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 246.7 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 5.1 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 Peters, MO before the return drive.
