If you are looking to travel from North Kansas City to Saint Charles, expect a 233.1-mile journey that takes approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes. This route is best suited as a straightforward day trip, as it does not require an overnight stay to complete comfortably. You will navigate primarily via East 12th Avenue, Ozark Street, and Bedford Road, moving entirely within the Missouri Midwest. Budgeting about $35 for fuel should cover your needs for the duration of the trip. Since you are staying within the same state, the transition is consistent, offering a reliable path between these two regional hubs.
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
115.3 miles from North Kansas City, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
153.3 mi
2h 56m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
George Brett Super Highway
6.4 mi
8m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
5.6 mi
6m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.9 mi
2m
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi
2m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi
1m
I 29
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 153.3 mi, about 2h 56m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,281 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,830
Quietest
1 AM
~292 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
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 North Kansas City, MO and Saint Charles, MO.
1
Start on this road
194 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Continue on East 12th Avenue
0.1 mi·29 sec·East 12th Avenue
3
Turn right onto Ozark Street
0.2 mi·56 sec·Ozark Street
4
Turn left onto Bedford Road
0.3 mi·38 sec·Bedford Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward I 29 South, I 35 South, US 71 SouthUse the slight left lane.
32 mi·34 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi·24 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
18
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
19
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
20
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
21
Continue on I 70; US 40
99 mi·1 hr 57 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 228Toward I 70 Business, MO 94: First Capitol Drive, Lewis and Clark TrailUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward I 70 Business, MO 94 East: First Capitol Drive, Lindenwood University, SSM Health Saint Joseph HospitalUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
24
Turn straight onto I 70 Business; MO 94
0.9 mi·2 min·First Capitol Drive
25
Turn slight right onto I 70 Business; MO 94
0.9 mi·2 min·I 70 Business; MO 94
Toward MO 94
26
Turn left onto South Second Street
0.3 mi·56 sec·South Second Street
27
Arrive at destination
North Second Street
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is simple since the 3-hour and 40-minute duration offers plenty of flexibility for a single-day excursion. You should budget for one stop along the way to break up the drive, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can be more taxing than a straight highway shot. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $35 estimate assumes steady travel without heavy idling or detours. Since you are sticking to local roads like Bedford Road and Ozark Street, give yourself extra time during peak hours to account for local traffic patterns. A concrete tip for this trip is to map out your one planned stop in advance to ensure you have a comfortable place to stretch your legs away from the frequent turns.
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 115.3 miles from North Kansas City, MO, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153.3 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 51 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.3 miles or 2h 9m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Charles, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving North Kansas City, 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 North Kansas City, MO
This is one driving day of about 230.6 miles and 4h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from North Kansas City, 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 153.3 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 228.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Ozark Street
Turn right onto Ozark Street
Navigation decision point
9
0.8 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 29 South, I 35 South, US 71 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 29 South, I 35 South, US 71 South
5
2 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward The Paseo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 4A
Toward The Paseo
8
228.3 mi into trip|~4h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 70 Business, MO 94: First Capitol Drive, Lewis and Clark Trail
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 228
Toward I 70 Business, MO 94: First Capitol Driv...
9
228.4 mi into trip|~4h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 Business, MO 94 East: First Capitol Drive, Lindenwood University, SSM Health Saint Joseph Hospital
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 70 Business, MO 94 East: First Capitol...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.05 one way
$68.11 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$37.60
$75.19
premium
$4.72
$42.82
$85.63
diesel
$4.80
$43.54
$87.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.2
0
$24.21
$11.07
Efficient EV
57.7
0
$20.18
$9.22
EV Truck/SUV
92.2
1
$32.28
$14.76
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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
North Kansas City, MO
Late night
in North Kansas City on Monday
Local time
1:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 7 to 12 mph28% 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
Saint Charles, MO
Late night
in Saint Charles on Monday
Local time
1:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
W 10 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
91°F
Columbia, MO
115 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
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 29m 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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
$19
near mile 230.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will be navigating local roads for the entire 233.1 miles. The personality of this drive is defined by frequent turns rather than high-speed cruising, so prepare for a more engaging, hands-on experience. Because the route relies on local streets and roads, the pace remains steady and consistent throughout the journey. You will find that the road conditions require a different level of focus compared to standard highway travel.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 153.3 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 0.2 miles in near Ozark Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 230.6 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 0.2 miles (Ozark Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
St. Charles, Missouri is outside of St. Louis on the bank of the Missouri River. It was Missouri's first state capital and was one of the first stops by Lewis and Clark on their journey to explore Louisiana Territory. The historic Main Street has largely been restored to its 1812-era appearance including gas lights a boardwalk and is lined with shops selling artwork, handicrafts, home decorations, antiques. There are also many restaurants.
Top landmarks
•First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site — historic site in Missouri, United States
•African Church — church building in Missouri, United States of America
•Frenchtown Historic District — historic district in St. Charles County, Missouri
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 29m. Total distance: 230.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 153.3 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 32 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 Charles, 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 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Ozark Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Saint Charles, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
