Pierce City to Saint Peters is 260.5 miles and takes about 5 hours 7 minutes via I 44 and Manchester Road, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, taking you from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Most of the drive is on the highway, making it a straightforward trip. With only one recommended stop and a duration under six hours, this route is ideal for a single-day drive when you want to get to your destination efficiently.
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
130.3 miles from Pierce City, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 44
214.5 mi
3h 51m
Manchester Road
13.4 mi
18m
MO 97
6.5 mi
11m
MO 109
4.9 mi
7m
Mid Rivers Mall Drive
4.7 mi
9m
Lindsey Boulevard
4.1 mi
7m
MO 94
3.4 mi
4m
Avenue of the Saints
2.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 214.5 mi, about 3h 51m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,442 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,784
Quietest
2 AM
~180 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Pierce City, MO and Saint Peters, MO.
1
Start on this road
77 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Myrtle Street
198 ft·13 sec·Myrtle Street
3
Turn left onto East Washington Avenue
506 ft·24 sec·East Washington Avenue
4
Turn right onto MO 97
0.5 mi·57 sec·North Elm Street
5
Turn right onto MO 97
0.2 mi·21 sec·East Madison Street
6
Turn left onto MO 97
4.1 mi·7 min·Lindsey Boulevard
7
Keep slight right at fork onto MO 97
4.5 mi·7 min·MO 97
8
At end of road, turn right onto MO 97
2.0 mi·3 min·MO 97
9
Turn left onto MO 97
322 ft·8 sec·MO 97
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 44 East: Springfield
11
Merge onto I 44
215 mi·3 hr 51 min·I 44
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 253Toward I 44 Business, MO 100 East: Gray SummitUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto MO 100
13 mi·18 min·Manchester Road
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward MO 109
15
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
224 ft·4 sec·MO 109
16
Continue on MO 109
515 ft·10 sec·MO 109
17
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
98 ft·1 sec·MO 109
18
Continue on MO 109
0.4 mi·45 sec·MO 109
19
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
94 ft·2 sec·MO 109
20
Continue on MO 109
4.3 mi·6 min·MO 109
21
Enter roundabout onto South Eatherton Road
94 ft·1 sec·South Eatherton Road
22
Continue on South Eatherton Road
2.4 mi·4 min·South Eatherton Road
23
Continue on Olive Street Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Olive Street Road
24
Take the ramp onto Chesterfield Airport Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Chesterfield Airport Road
25
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
2.7 mi·3 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 10Toward MO 94: Defiance, Saint CharlesUse the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft·4 sec
Toward MO 94 East: Saint CharlesUse the right lane.
28
Merge onto MO 94
3.4 mi·4 min·MO 94
Use the right lane.
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Pitman Hill RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn left onto Mid Rivers Mall Drive
4.7 mi·9 min·Mid Rivers Mall Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
31
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·20 sec
Toward I 70 West: WentzvilleUse the slight left lane.
32
Merge onto I 70
479 ft·6 sec·I 70
33
Arrive at destination
I 70
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time, leaving Pierce City in the morning will get you to Saint Peters with plenty of daylight to spare. The route is designed for a single day, so you don't need to plan for an overnight stay. With only one suggested stop and the majority of the drive on I 44, you can easily adjust your pace as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the long 214.5-mile stretch on I 44, as services can be more spread out on interstates. The transition from I 44 to local roads like Manchester Road will be your cue to prepare for more frequent exits and traffic.
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 130.3 miles from Pierce City, MO, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 214.5 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 57 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.3 miles or 2h 29m 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 59m
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 Pierce 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 Pierce City, MO
This is one driving day of about 260.5 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Pierce 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 I 44 for about 214.5 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 255.2 — 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|Myrtle Street
Turn left onto Myrtle Street
Navigation decision point
8
226.2 mi into trip|~4h 13m 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
251.5 mi into trip|~4h 52m 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
251.7 mi into trip|~4h 52m 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
255.2 mi into trip|~4h 57m 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
$43.45 one way
$86.91 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$47.23
$94.46
premium
$5.26
$53.94
$107.87
diesel
$6.18
$63.37
$126.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.2
0
$27.35
$12.50
Efficient EV
65.1
0
$22.79
$10.42
EV Truck/SUV
104.2
1
$36.47
$16.67
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Pierce City, MO
Morning
in Pierce City on Saturday
Local time
6:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
36°F
Partly Cloudy
N 5 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:40AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Destination
Saint Peters, MO
Morning
in Saint Peters on Saturday
Local time
6:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Partly Cloudy
N 6 to 13 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:40AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
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
2 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 7m 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...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 44.9
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...
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
$19
near mile 242.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 88% of the 260.5 miles on high-speed roads like I 44. You'll experience a long stretch of 214.5 miles on I 44 before transitioning to surface roads like Manchester Road and MO 97. Expect a consistent cruising experience for the majority of the trip, with the shift to surface streets signaling your approach to the St. Louis area.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 214.5 mi on I 44.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 early in the drive near Myrtle Street.
Driving Effort10/10
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 26 significant decision points across 260.5 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 (Myrtle Street): Navigation decision point; at 226.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 251.5 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 5h 7m. Total distance: 260.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 214.5 miles on I 44. 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: near the start (Myrtle Street): Navigation decision point; at 226.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 251.5 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, George Washington Carver National Monument and Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 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.
