Oakville, MO to Kirksville, MO is 210.4 miles and takes about 4h 16m via Avenue of the Saints, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Missouri, moving you from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a fairly straightforward trip, mostly on well-maintained roads, making it a solid option for a single-day excursion. Plan for a moderate amount of driving that shouldn't feel too rushed.
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
105.2 miles from Oakville, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
52.9 mi
1h 1m
North Missouri Street
28.5 mi
31m
I 270
12 mi
15m
V.F.W. Memorial Highway
5.8 mi
6m
Veterans Road
2.2 mi
3m
I 255
2.2 mi
2m
South Franklin Street
2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oakville, MO and Kirksville, MO.
1
Start on this road
120 ft·13 sec·this road
2
Turn left
130 ft·15 sec
3
Turn left onto Cliff Cave Road
171 ft·7 sec·Cliff Cave Road
4
Turn slight right
160 ft·3 sec
Toward MO 231
5
Turn slight right onto MO 231
1.7 mi·3 min·Telegraph Road
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·55 sec
Toward I 255 West, US 50 West: Memphis
7
Merge onto I 255; US 50
2.2 mi·2 min·I 255; US 50
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on I 270
12 mi·15 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 12Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: WentzvilleUse the slight left lane.
11
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·9 sec·this road
Exit 12Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
12
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
99 mi·1 hr 57 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
249 ft·14 sec
14
Turn left onto Paris Gravel Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Paris Gravel Road
15
Keep slight right at fork onto County Road 422
279 ft·8 sec·County Road 422
16
Turn right onto Veterans Road
2.2 mi·3 min·Veterans Road
17
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·16 sec
Toward US 36 West, MO 110 West: Monroe City
18
Merge onto US 36; MO 110
5.8 mi·6 min·V.F.W. Memorial Highway
19
Continue on US 24; US 36; MO 110
53 mi·1 hr 1 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward US 63: Macon, Kirksville
21
Turn right onto US 63
28 mi·31 min·North Missouri Street
22
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 63 Business: Kirksville
23
Continue on US 63 Bus
1.6 mi·1 min·South Baltimore Street
24
Turn slight left
249 ft·11 sec
Toward Kirksville, Truman State University
25
Continue on South Franklin Street
2.0 mi·5 min·South Franklin Street
26
Arrive at destination
North Franklin Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration of around 4 hours and 16 minutes, this drive is definitely manageable in a single day. To make the most of it, consider leaving in the morning to allow for a relaxed pace and potential for an unexpected stop. You'll have one planned stop along the route, which is a good opportunity to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $33 and it's always wise to top up before hitting longer stretches, especially the 98.8-mile section on the Avenue of the Saints.
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 105.2 miles from Oakville, MO, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 46 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.2 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kirksville, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Oakville, 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 Oakville, MO
This is one driving day of about 210.4 miles and 4h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Oakville, 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 98.8 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 118.5 — 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|Cliff Cave Road
Turn left onto Cliff Cave Road
Navigation decision point
5
2.1 mi into trip|~5m in|I 255; US 50
Merge onto I 255; US 50
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
16.3 mi into trip|~22m in
Take the exit toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
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 12
Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Lo...
8
16.4 mi into trip|~23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Went...
6
118.5 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Take the ramp toward US 36 West, MO 110 West: Monroe City
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 36 West, MO 110 West: Monroe City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.10 one way
$70.19 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$38.29
$76.59
premium
$5.25
$43.51
$87.03
diesel
$6.28
$51.99
$103.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.1
0
$22.09
$10.10
Efficient EV
52.6
0
$18.41
$8.42
EV Truck/SUV
84.2
1
$29.46
$13.47
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Oakville, MO
Morning
in Oakville on Thursday
Local time
7:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
SE 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Kirksville, MO
Morning
in Kirksville on Thursday
Local time
7:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 16m 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 trip involves 32% highway driving, with the longest continuous stretch on the Avenue of the Saints covering 98.8 miles. You'll experience a mixed profile of highway and surface roads, meaning you'll transition from faster-paced driving to more local cruising. Expect to notice the change from more developed exit areas to simpler rural access points as you progress north.
32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Cliff Cave Road.
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 19 significant decision points across 210.4 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: near the start (Cliff Cave Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles (I 255; US 50): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
980 ft501 ft
Total Climb
778 ft
Total Descent
395 ft
Highest Point
980 ft
~210.4 mi in
Elevation Range
479 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Oakville, MO to Kirksville, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Louis along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 16m. Total distance: 210.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.8 miles on Avenue of the Saints. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 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 Kirksville, 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 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Cliff Cave Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles (I 255; US 50): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Kirksville, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
