If you are planning a trip from Monett to Castle Point, you are looking at a 273.1-mile journey across Missouri. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 16 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable single-day trek. With an estimated fuel cost of $41, it is an affordable excursion that stays entirely within the Midwest. While you only need one day to complete the trip, the route is turn-heavy and requires your full attention. It is a straightforward drive that connects two distinct parts of the state, so prepare for a full day of travel rather than a quick commute.
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 Monett, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway
206.7 mi
3h 45m
US 60
28.5 mi
42m
MO MM
3.9 mi
6m
Police Officer Ernest M. Brockman Sr. Memorial Highway
3.5 mi·4 min·Police Officer Ernest M. Brockman Sr. Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 44
2.7 mi·3 min·Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
9
Continue on I 44
0.6 mi·47 sec·Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 284Toward Jamieson AvenueUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
227 ft·6 sec
Toward Jamieson Avenue
12
Turn left onto Jamieson Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Jamieson Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
At end of road, turn left onto Arsenal Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·Arsenal Street
14
Turn right onto McCausland Avenue
1.6 mi·2 min·McCausland Avenue
15
Continue on South Skinker Boulevard
2.8 mi·5 min·South Skinker Boulevard
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on Kienlen Avenue
1.6 mi·2 min·Kienlen Avenue
17
Continue on Jennings Station Road
3.3 mi·6 min·Jennings Station Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Turn left onto Halls Ferry Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Halls Ferry Road
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto Chambers Road
0.4 mi·38 sec·Chambers Road
20
Turn left onto Lord Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Lord Drive
21
Arrive at destination
Lord Drive
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 16-minute drive, try to depart early in the morning to beat local traffic congestion on the more technical sections of the route. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, especially since the turn-heavy nature of the roads can be more taxing than standard highway driving. Keep your $41 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling stops, as local roads may offer fewer convenient stations than a major interstate corridor. Because this is a one-day trip, embrace the flexibility of your schedule by adjusting your pace to account for the winding nature of Farm Road 2240 and the Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway.
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 Monett, MO, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 206.7 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 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.8 miles or 2h 40m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Castle Point, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Monett, 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 Monett, MO
This is one driving day of about 263.5 miles and 5h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Monett, 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 Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway for about 206.7 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 37.4 and 251.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
37.4 mi into trip|~57m in|I 44 / Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway
Merge onto I 44 / Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
251.1 mi into trip|~4h 51m in
Take the exit toward Jamieson Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 284
Toward Jamieson Avenue
6
251.2 mi into trip|~4h 51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Jamieson Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Jamieson Avenue
5
251.3 mi into trip|~4h 52m in|Jamieson Avenue
Turn left onto Jamieson Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
251.5 mi into trip|~4h 52m in|Arsenal Street
At end of road, turn left onto Arsenal Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.20 one way
$82.39 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$45.23
$90.46
premium
$4.89
$50.71
$101.42
diesel
$5.61
$58.18
$116.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
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, 2026-04-13.
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Monett, MO
Late night
in Monett on Sunday
Local time
2:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Castle Point, MO
Late night
in Castle Point on Sunday
Local time
2:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Waynesville, 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
3 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
5h 15m 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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
$19
near mile 254.4
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 27.3
The young child known as the "Plant Doctor" tended his secret garden while observing the day-to-day operations of a 19th century farm. Nature and nurture ultimately influenced George on his quest for...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You will navigate a turn-heavy local drive that demands a bit more focus than a simple interstate cruise. The route utilizes a mix of Farm Road 2240, I-44 East, and the Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway. Since this path is characterized by local roads rather than long, high-speed stretches, you should anticipate frequent adjustments in your driving pace. With a highway share of 0%, you are trading the monotony of a major expressway for a more hands-on, technical driving experience. Staying alert is essential as you transition between these different roadway types throughout the 273.1-mile transit.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 206.7 mi on Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway and US 60. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 37.4 miles in near I 44 / Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway.
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 263.5 miles you will encounter 12 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 37.4 miles (I 44 / Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 251.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 251.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 15m. Total distance: 263.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 206.7 miles on Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway. 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.
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 37.4 miles (I 44 / Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 251.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 251.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park, Wilson's Creek National Battlefield and George Washington Carver National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Castle Point, MO before the return drive.
