Origin
Malden, MO
Night in Malden on Saturday
Local time
11:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Malden, MO to St. Louis, MO
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 35m
Distance
185.2 mi
298 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 23m
★
6 AM
3h 35m
8 AM
4h 0m
10 AM
3h 44m
12 PM
3h 41m
3 PM
3h 45m
5 PM
3h 59m
8 PM
3h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Malden, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Malden to St. Louis covers 185.2 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 35 minutes of drive time. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused trip within the Missouri Midwest, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You should budget approximately $28 for fuel to complete the journey. The route primarily utilizes I-55, North Douglas Street, and the Rosa Parks Highway to navigate north. Whether you are heading to the city for business or a change of scenery, this direct path offers a predictable travel experience that avoids the need for an overnight stay.
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
92.6 miles from Malden, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 129 mi | 2h 18m |
| North Douglas Street | 18.2 mi | 27m |
| Rosa Parks Highway | 12.5 mi | 15m |
| US 60 | 7.1 mi | 8m |
| South Tucker Boulevard | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| West Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Gravois Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Madison Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 129 mi, about 2h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Malden, MO and St. Louis, MO.
1
Start on West Laclede Street
63 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Laclede Street
2
Turn left onto MO 25 Business
442 ft
·
14 sec
·
South Madison Street
3
Turn left onto MO 25 Business
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
West Main Street
4
Turn right onto MO 25 Business
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North Douglas Street
5
At end of road, turn left onto MO 25
16 mi
·
23 min
·
North Douglas Street
6
Take the ramp
16 mi
·
18 min
7
Continue on US 60
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
US 60
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 1B
Toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
9
Merge onto I 55
27 mi
·
29 min
·
I 55
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
102 mi
·
1 hr 49 min
·
I 55
11
Continue on I 55
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Rosa Parks Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 207A
Toward MO 30 East: Gravois Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn slight right onto Gravois Avenue
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Gravois Avenue
14
Continue on South Tucker Boulevard
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
South Tucker Boulevard
15
Turn right onto Market Street
86 ft
·
2 sec
·
Market Street
16
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration of under four hours, you have plenty of flexibility when planning your departure time. Aim to incorporate at least one stop during your transit to break up the long 129-mile stretch on I-55. Since fuel costs are estimated at $28, filling your tank before leaving Malden can help you avoid potential price fluctuations near the city. Keep an eye on your odometer to gauge your progress along the interstate segments, as the highway-heavy nature of this route makes it easy to lose track of time. Staying alert during those long interstate miles is the best way to ensure a smooth arrival in 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 92.6 miles from Malden, MO, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129 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 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.6 miles or 1h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 54m
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 Malden, 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 Malden, MO
This is one driving day of about 185.2 miles and 3h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Malden, 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 55 for about 129 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 92.6 miles from Malden, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 183.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
MO 25 Business / South Madison Street
Turn left onto MO 25 Business / South Madison Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
MO 25 Business / West Main Street
Turn left onto MO 25 Business / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
MO 25 Business / North Douglas Street
Turn right onto MO 25 Business / North Douglas Street
Navigation decision point
5
41.7 mi into trip
|
~55m in
Take the exit toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 1B
Toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
7
183.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m in
Take the exit toward MO 30 East: Gravois Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 207A
Toward MO 30 East: Gravois Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.95 one way
$57.91 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $31.79 | $63.58 |
| premium | $4.89 | $35.64 | $71.28 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.89 | $81.78 |
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: 64.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.6 | 0 | $19.45 | $8.89 |
| Efficient EV | 46.3 | 0 | $16.21 | $7.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.1 | 0 | $25.93 | $11.85 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% 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.
Destination
St. Louis, MO
Night in St. Louis on Saturday
Local time
11:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
56°F
Campton, IL
93 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
3h 35m 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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
$19
near mile 185.2
View on nps.gov
Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Established by 1750, Ste. Geneviève was the first permanent European settlement in Missouri. Early French Canadian settlers were drawn here by the rich agricultural land known as Le Grand Champ (the B...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 127.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by efficiency, as roughly 73% of your time will be spent on major highways. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, with the longest uninterrupted stretch spanning 129 miles along I-55. The transition from local roads like North Douglas Street onto the interstate accounts for the bulk of your travel, creating a blend of short, localized navigation and sustained highway cruising. This is a practical, no-frills drive that prioritizes speed over winding backroads. Prepare for a consistent, steady pace that allows you to cover the distance without complex maneuvering.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and North Douglas Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MO 25 Business / South Madison Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 35m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MO 25 Business / South Madison Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (MO 25 Business / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (MO 25 Business / North Douglas Street): Navigation decision point.
About the Cities
Arriving in St. Louis, MO
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 35m. Total distance: 185.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 129 miles on I 55. 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: near the start (MO 25 Business / South Madison Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (MO 25 Business / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (MO 25 Business / North Douglas Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park and Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at St. Louis, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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