Neosho to Saint Peters is 286.1 miles and takes about 5h 34m via Congressman Gene Taylor Highway and Manchester Road, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Missouri, connecting two points in the Midwest. The route primarily uses surface roads, suggesting a more local feel rather than interstate cruising. With a recommended one-day drive, it's a straightforward trip for getting between these two locations without needing an overnight stay.
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
143 miles from Neosho, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
234.4 mi
4h 13m
Manchester Road
13.4 mi
18m
MO 59
11.7 mi
17m
MO 109
4.9 mi
7m
Mid Rivers Mall Drive
4.7 mi
9m
MO 94
3.4 mi
4m
Elwood Junction Road
3.1 mi
4m
Avenue of the Saints
2.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
— 234.4 mi, about 4h 13m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,432 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,709
Quietest
2 AM
~177 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.1×
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 Neosho, MO and Saint Peters, MO.
1
Start on East Main Street
218 ft·15 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn left onto South Washington Street
0.3 mi·53 sec·South Washington Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto MO 86
0.2 mi·26 sec·East Coler Street
4
Turn right onto US 60 Business
1.3 mi·2 min·North College Street
5
Continue on US 60 Business
3.1 mi·4 min·Elwood Junction Road
6
Turn left
0.3 mi·50 sec
7
Turn straight onto MO 59
12 mi·17 min·MO 59
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·42 sec
Toward I 44 East: Springfield
9
Merge onto I 44
234 mi·4 hr 13 min·Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 253Toward I 44 Business, MO 100 East: Gray SummitUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn left onto MO 100
13 mi·18 min·Manchester Road
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward MO 109
13
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
224 ft·4 sec·MO 109
14
Continue on MO 109
515 ft·10 sec·MO 109
15
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
98 ft·1 sec·MO 109
16
Continue on MO 109
0.4 mi·45 sec·MO 109
17
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
94 ft·2 sec·MO 109
18
Continue on MO 109
4.3 mi·6 min·MO 109
19
Enter roundabout onto South Eatherton Road
94 ft·1 sec·South Eatherton Road
20
Continue on South Eatherton Road
2.4 mi·4 min·South Eatherton Road
21
Continue on Olive Street Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Olive Street Road
22
Take the ramp onto Chesterfield Airport Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Chesterfield Airport Road
23
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
2.7 mi·3 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 10Toward MO 94: Defiance, Saint CharlesUse the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft·4 sec
Toward MO 94 East: Saint CharlesUse the right lane.
26
Merge onto MO 94
3.4 mi·4 min·MO 94
Use the right lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Pitman Hill RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn left onto Mid Rivers Mall Drive
4.7 mi·9 min·Mid Rivers Mall Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
29
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·20 sec
Toward I 70 West: WentzvilleUse the slight left lane.
30
Merge onto I 70
479 ft·6 sec·I 70
31
Arrive at destination
I 70
Trip Plan
For this 5h 34m drive, consider an early morning departure from Neosho to maximize daylight and arrive in Saint Peters comfortably. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility with stops, but plan at least one break to stretch your legs. The longest stretch is over 234 miles on Congressman Gene Taylor Highway, so ensure you have enough fuel before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition from the highway portion to the predominantly surface road sections.
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 143 miles from Neosho, MO, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 234.4 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 63 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143 miles or 2h 42m 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 21m
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 Neosho, 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 Neosho, MO
This is one driving day of about 286.1 miles and 5h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Neosho, 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 Gene Taylor Highway for about 234.4 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 280.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|MO 86 / East Coler Street
At end of road, turn left onto MO 86 / East Coler Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
8
251.7 mi into trip|~4h 39m 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
277.1 mi into trip|~5h 18m 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
277.3 mi into trip|~5h 19m 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
280.8 mi into trip|~5h 24m 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
$42.25 one way
$84.50 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$46.64
$93.29
premium
$4.72
$53.12
$106.24
diesel
$4.80
$54.02
$108.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.8
1
$30.04
$13.73
Efficient EV
71.5
0
$25.03
$11.44
EV Truck/SUV
114.4
1
$40.05
$18.31
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Neosho, MO
Morning
in Neosho on Sunday
Local time
9:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 8 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Saint Peters, MO
Morning
in Saint Peters on Sunday
Local time
9:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Clear
SW 6 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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 34m 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.
George Washington Carver National Monument
National Monument
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...
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 69.1
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...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
$19
near mile 266.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive has a highway share of 7%, meaning most of your 286.1 miles will be on surface roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 234.4 miles on Congressman Gene Taylor Highway before transitioning to other roads. Expect to navigate through varied scenery as you move from one part of Missouri to another, with the bulk of your time spent on non-highway routes.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 234.4 mi on Congressman Gene Taylor Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 0.3 miles in near MO 86 / East Coler Street.
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 22 significant decision points across 286.1 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 0.3 miles (MO 86 / East Coler Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 251.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 277.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Neosho is a sizeable town in Southwest Missouri and has several monikers, among them "Gateway To The Ozarks," "City of Springs," and "Flower Box City". The latter two pertain to characteristics of the town, namely the source of numerous springs as well as a citywide initiative involving flower boxes. The name Neosho is derived from a Native American word meaning "clear, cold water".
Top landmarks
•Neosho Commercial Historic District — historic district in Neosho, Missouri
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 34m. Total distance: 286.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 234.4 miles on Congressman Gene Taylor Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (MO 86 / East Coler Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 251.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 277.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — George Washington Carver National Monument, 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 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 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.
