This 168.1-mile drive from Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to Florissant, Missouri, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 19 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, with US 60 and I-270 being key routes. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $26. Given its relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, it's an efficient trip for those looking to cover ground within the Midwest without needing an overnight stay. This route keeps you within the state of Missouri for the entire journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
84 miles from Poplar Bluff, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 60
112.6 mi
2h 9m
I 270
24.4 mi
30m
I 55
20.5 mi
22m
North Westwood Boulevard
2.9 mi
4m
North Lindbergh Boulevard
1.8 mi
3m
Rosa Parks Highway
1.3 mi
1m
West Washington Street
1 mi
2m
West Pine Street
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 60
— 112.6 mi, about 2h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Poplar Bluff, MO and Florissant, MO.
1
Start on US 60 Business
0.8 mi·1 min·West Pine Street
2
Turn right onto US 60 Business; US 67 Business
1.3 mi·2 min·North Westwood Boulevard
3
Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business
0.3 mi·25 sec·State Street
4
Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business
1.6 mi·2 min·North Westwood Boulevard
5
Continue on US 67; US 60 Business
0.4 mi·37 sec·US 67; US 60 Business
6
Continue on US 60; US 67
113 mi·2 hr 9 min·US 60; US 67
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 67
0.3 mi·27 sec·US 67
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
9
Merge onto I 55
21 mi·22 min·I 55
10
Continue on I 55
1.3 mi·1 min·Rosa Parks Highway
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 196Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
388 ft·8 sec
Toward I 270 West: Kansas CityUse the slight left lane.
13
Continue on this road
0.7 mi·1 min·this road
Exit 196Toward I 270 West
14
Merge onto I 270
24 mi·30 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 25Toward US 67Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn left onto US 67
1.8 mi·3 min·North Lindbergh Boulevard
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto West Washington Street
1.0 mi·2 min·West Washington Street
18
Turn left onto North New Florissant Road
87 ft·1 sec·North New Florissant Road
19
Arrive at destination
North New Florissant Road
Trip Plan
With a duration of just over 3 hours, you have considerable flexibility in planning your departure time for this 168.1-mile drive. Consider an early start to avoid potential traffic as you approach the St. Louis metropolitan area near Florissant. The estimated fuel cost is $26, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing Poplar Bluff, as your longest stretch without a major town could be up to 112.6 miles on US 60. With only one recommended stop, plan for a break that suits your needs, whether for fuel or a quick rest, to make the most of this efficient highway journey.
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 84 miles from Poplar Bluff, MO, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.6 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 37 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84 miles or 1h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Florissant, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Poplar Bluff, 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 Poplar Bluff, MO
This is one driving day of about 168.1 miles and 3h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Poplar Bluff, 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 US 60 for about 112.6 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 139.5 and 165.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
139.5 mi into trip|~2h 41m in
Take the exit toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
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 196
Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chi...
8
139.8 mi into trip|~2h 41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
5
140.6 mi into trip|~2h 43m in|I 270
Merge onto I 270
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
165 mi into trip|~3h 13m in
Take the exit toward US 67
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 25
Toward US 67
6
165.3 mi into trip|~3h 14m in|US 67 / North Lindbergh Boulevard
Turn left onto US 67 / North Lindbergh Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.28 one way
$52.56 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.85
$57.71
premium
$4.89
$32.35
$64.70
diesel
$5.61
$37.11
$74.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.4
0
$17.65
$8.07
Efficient EV
42
0
$14.71
$6.72
EV Truck/SUV
67.2
0
$23.53
$10.76
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Poplar Bluff, MO
Night
in Poplar Bluff on Saturday
Local time
9:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Florissant, MO
Night
in Florissant on Saturday
Local time
9:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Arnold, MO
84 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 19m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for 94% of this trip, covering 168.1 miles. The majority of your travel will be on interstates and well-maintained US highways, facilitating a steady pace. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 112.6 miles on US 60, offering a significant period of consistent driving. While primarily a highway experience, the route transitions between different major roads, providing a varied, albeit predominantly fast-paced, journey. This drive offers a straightforward path with minimal scenic detours.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 112.6 mi on US 60.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 60 and I 270. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 139.5 miles in.
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 9 significant decision points across 168.1 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 139.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 140.6 miles (I 270): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Poplar Bluff, MO to Florissant, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 19m. Total distance: 168.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 112.6 miles on US 60. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Florissant, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 139.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 140.6 miles (I 270): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Florissant, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
