Ozark, MO to Saint Peters, MO is 222.1 miles and takes about 4h 20m via I 44, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Missouri, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward trip, mostly on the interstate, making it a practical choice for getting between these two points. You'll find it's a route that prioritizes efficiency over extensive sightseeing, ideal if you have a destination in mind and want to get there without much fuss. Plan for a single day of travel.
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
111.1 miles from Ozark, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 44
170.3 mi
3h 3m
Manchester Road
13.4 mi
18m
Schoolcraft Freeway
10.7 mi
13m
MO 109
4.9 mi
7m
Mid Rivers Mall Drive
4.7 mi
9m
American Legion Memorial Highway
4.5 mi
5m
MO 94
3.4 mi
4m
Avenue of the Saints
2.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 170.3 mi, about 3h 3m
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 Ozark, MO and Saint Peters, MO.
1
Start on West Church Street
97 ft·6 sec·West Church Street
2
Turn right onto US 65 Bus; MO 14
1.4 mi·2 min·North 3rd Street
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 65 North: SpringfieldUse the right lane.
4
Merge onto US 65
4.5 mi·5 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
5
Continue on US 65
11 mi·13 min·Schoolcraft Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·54 sec
Toward I 44 East: Saint Louis
7
Merge onto I 44
170 mi·3 hr 3 min·I 44
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 253Toward I 44 Business, MO 100 East: Gray SummitUse the slight right lane.
9
Turn left onto MO 100
13 mi·18 min·Manchester Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward MO 109
11
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
224 ft·4 sec·MO 109
12
Continue on MO 109
515 ft·10 sec·MO 109
13
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
98 ft·1 sec·MO 109
14
Continue on MO 109
0.4 mi·45 sec·MO 109
15
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
94 ft·2 sec·MO 109
16
Continue on MO 109
4.3 mi·6 min·MO 109
17
Enter roundabout onto South Eatherton Road
94 ft·1 sec·South Eatherton Road
18
Continue on South Eatherton Road
2.4 mi·4 min·South Eatherton Road
19
Continue on Olive Street Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Olive Street Road
20
Take the ramp onto Chesterfield Airport Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Chesterfield Airport Road
21
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
2.7 mi·3 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 10Toward MO 94: Defiance, Saint CharlesUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft·4 sec
Toward MO 94 East: Saint CharlesUse the right lane.
24
Merge onto MO 94
3.4 mi·4 min·MO 94
Use the right lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Pitman Hill RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn left onto Mid Rivers Mall Drive
4.7 mi·9 min·Mid Rivers Mall Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
27
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·20 sec
Toward I 70 West: WentzvilleUse the slight left lane.
28
Merge onto I 70
479 ft·6 sec·I 70
29
Arrive at destination
I 70
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 20-minute estimated drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. Leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight and allow you to avoid rush hour traffic in the St. Louis area. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before leaving the more rural sections of I 44, as services can be more spread out. The estimated fuel cost of $39 is a helpful budget marker for this 222.1-mile excursion.
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 111.1 miles from Ozark, MO, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 170.3 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 49 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.1 miles or 2h 3m 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 20m
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 Ozark, 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 Ozark, MO
This is one driving day of about 222.1 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Ozark, 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 44 for about 170.3 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 216.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.4 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward US 65 North: Springfield
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 65 North: Springfield
8
187.8 mi into trip|~3h 26m 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
213.1 mi into trip|~4h 5m 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
213.3 mi into trip|~4h 5m 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
216.8 mi into trip|~4h 10m 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
$32.80 one way
$65.60 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$36.21
$72.42
premium
$4.72
$41.24
$82.47
diesel
$4.80
$41.94
$83.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.6
0
$23.32
$10.66
Efficient EV
55.5
0
$19.43
$8.88
EV Truck/SUV
88.8
1
$31.09
$14.21
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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
Ozark, MO
Night
in Ozark on Sunday
Local time
9:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 mph19% 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 Peters, MO
Night
in Saint Peters on Sunday
Local time
9:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 9 mph21% 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
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 20m 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.
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
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...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 7.7
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...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
$19
near mile 206.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily interstate cruising, with 85% of the 222.1 miles on highways like I 44. You'll experience a long stretch of 170.3 miles on I 44 before transitioning. The final portion of your trip will be on surface roads, including Manchester Road and Schoolcraft Freeway, for about 31.8 miles. Expect a steady pace for most of the drive, with a noticeable shift in environment as you approach the St. Louis metropolitan area.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 170.3 mi on I 44.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and Manchester Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in.
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 21 significant decision points across 222.1 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 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 187.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 213.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 222.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 170.3 miles on I 44. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 187.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 213.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Wilson's Creek National Battlefield and 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 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Saint Peters, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
