Leesville to St. Louis is 218 miles and takes about 4h 38m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, moving from the Midwest region to the same region, and is a straightforward drive. You'll spend most of your time on surface roads, making it a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate cruise. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, especially if you want to arrive in St. Louis with plenty of time to spare.
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
109 miles from Leesville, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
61.9 mi
1h 11m
MO C
46.9 mi
1h 8m
C. F. “Red” Whaley Expressway
31.9 mi
35m
Avenue of the Saints
27.7 mi
33m
West Main Street
21.2 mi
29m
Jack Buck Memorial Highway
5.8 mi
7m
Daniel Boone Expressway
5.7 mi
7m
US 65
5.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 61.9 mi, about 1h 11m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,340 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,883
Quietest
1 AM
~235 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Leesville, MO and St. Louis, MO.
1
Start on MO PP
2.9 mi·5 min·MO PP
2
Turn slight right onto MO C
12 mi·20 min·MO C
3
Turn left onto US 65
5.6 mi·6 min·US 65
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward MO 52 East: Cole Camp
5
Turn right onto MO 52
3.0 mi·3 min·State Highway 52
6
Continue on MO 52
21 mi·29 min·West Main Street
7
Keep slight left at fork
160 ft·3 sec
8
Keep slight right at fork onto MO 5; MO 52
3.4 mi·4 min·MO 5; MO 52
9
Turn left onto MO C
13 mi·17 min·MO C
10
Turn right
14 ft·0 sec
11
Turn left
99 ft·2 sec
12
Turn straight onto MO C
22 mi·29 min·MO C
13
Turn right onto MO C
0.2 mi·42 sec·Southwest Boulevard
14
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward US 54 East: Fulton
15
Merge onto US 54
32 mi·35 min·C. F. “Red” Whaley Expressway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Saint Louis
17
Merge onto I 70; US 40
62 mi·1 hr 11 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
18
Take the exit onto US 40
0.3 mi·33 sec·US 40
Exit 210AToward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
19
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
28 mi·33 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
20
Continue on I 64; US 40
5.7 mi·7 min·Daniel Boone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on I 64; US 40
5.8 mi·7 min·Jack Buck Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 39AToward 14th StreetUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn left onto South 14th Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·South 14th Street
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto Market Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Market Street
25
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 38m estimated drive time, leaving Leesville in the morning allows ample daylight to reach St. Louis. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $34, you can be quite flexible with your timing. Consider breaking up the 61.9-mile longest stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway with a brief pause if needed. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the advantage of not needing to rush; however, be aware that the majority of the route is on surface roads, so keep an eye on local traffic patterns as you approach St. Louis.
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 109 miles from Leesville, MO, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.9 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 48 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near St. Louis, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Leesville, 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 Leesville, MO
This is one driving day of about 218 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Leesville, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 61.9 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 83.7 and 217.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
83.7 mi into trip|~2h in
Take the ramp toward US 54 East: Fulton
Navigation decision point
Toward US 54 East: Fulton
5
115.7 mi into trip|~2h 36m in
Take the exit toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Saint Louis
6
177.9 mi into trip|~3h 47m in|US 40
Take the exit onto US 40 toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 210A
Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Ches...
5
178.2 mi into trip|~3h 48m in|I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
217.3 mi into trip|~4h 36m in
Take the exit toward 14th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 39A
Toward 14th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.19 one way
$64.39 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$35.54
$71.08
premium
$4.72
$40.48
$80.95
diesel
$4.80
$41.16
$82.33
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: 76.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.4
0
$22.89
$10.46
Efficient EV
54.5
0
$19.08
$8.72
EV Truck/SUV
87.2
1
$30.52
$13.95
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Leesville, MO
Morning
in Leesville on Monday
Local time
6:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
St. Louis, MO
Morning
in St. Louis on Monday
Local time
6:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
W 9 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
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
4 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
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily surface roads, with only 23% of the drive on highways. Your longest continuous stretch on a main road will be 61.9 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Expect to transition from highway driving to surface roads, likely noticing more local traffic and varied speed limits as you move off the main highway. The profile suggests a predominantly non-highway experience, so plan for a more connected-to-the-landscape drive.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.9 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 83.7 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 218 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 83.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 115.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 177.9 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The Gateway City of St. Louis is the epitome of the modern Midwestern metropolis. Missouri's second-largest city is vibrant but laid-back, populous but navigable, historic but still relevant. The city's planners have created an aesthetically beautiful city, with plenty of green space amidst buildings both old and new, framed by the majestic Mississippi and Missouri rivers. And capping it all is the world's tallest man-made monument, the beautiful and iconic Gateway Arch.
St. Louis is a city of culture and surprisingly inexpensive. Among American cities, only Washington, D.C. has more free attractions for tourists and residents alike. Hotels, restaurants, and even parking garages avoid the premium pricing common in other big cities. Although often overlooked, St. Louis can be an affordable, educational, and fun family getaway.
Top landmarks
•Gateway Arch — monument in St. Louis, Missouri
•Missouri Botanical Garden — non-profit organization in the USA
•Gateway Arch National Park — American National Park in St. Louis, Missouri
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 38m. Total distance: 218 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.9 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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 St. Louis, 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 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 83.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 115.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 177.9 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. 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 St. Louis, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
