This 175.6-mile drive from Poplar Bluff, MO to O'Fallon, MO is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take about 3 hours and 28 minutes. Primarily utilizing US 60, I-55, and I-270, this route offers a direct path through Missouri's Midwest region. With a fuel cost estimated around $27, it's an economical choice for a quick getaway or a functional journey. The highway-focused profile means you'll spend most of your time on faster roads, making it efficient for getting to your destination.
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
87.8 miles from Poplar Bluff, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 60
112.6 mi
2h 9m
I 55
20.5 mi
22m
I 270
18.1 mi
22m
I 70
13.6 mi
16m
North Westwood Boulevard
2.9 mi
4m
Rosa Parks Highway
1.3 mi
1m
East Terra Lane
0.9 mi
1m
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 O'Fallon, 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
18 mi·22 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 20AToward I 70: Kansas City, Saint Louis, Saint Louis Lambert International AirportUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·11 sec
Toward I 70 West: Kansas CityUse the slight left lane.
17
Continue on this road
0.6 mi·57 sec·this road
Exit 20BToward I 70 West: Kansas City
18
Merge onto I 70
14 mi·16 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
390 ft·8 sec
Exit 218Toward MO K: O'Fallon, Main StreetUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn straight onto East Terra Lane
0.9 mi·1 min·East Terra Lane
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Main Street
22
Turn right
25 ft·1 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 28-minute duration, this trip is best suited as a single-day excursion from Poplar Bluff to O'Fallon. Starting your drive earlier in the day will give you ample time to reach your destination without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop, plan to refuel before you depart or during the initial leg on US 60. The efficiency of this highway-centric route means you can easily adjust your timing if needed, but keep an eye on traffic as you approach the St. Louis metropolitan area on I-270.
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 87.8 miles from Poplar Bluff, MO, or about 1h 42m 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 39 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.8 miles or 1h 42m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near O'Fallon, 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 175.6 miles and 3h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 139.5 and 174.1 — 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
8
158.7 mi into trip|~3h 5m in
Take the exit toward I 70: Kansas City, Saint Louis, Saint Louis Lambert International Airport
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 20A
Toward I 70: Kansas City, Saint Louis, Saint Lo...
7
159.8 mi into trip|~3h 7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 West: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 70 West: Kansas City
8
174.1 mi into trip|~3h 25m in
Take the exit toward MO K: O'Fallon, Main Street
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 218
Toward MO K: O'Fallon, Main Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.45 one way
$54.91 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.14
$60.28
premium
$4.89
$33.79
$67.59
diesel
$5.61
$38.77
$77.54
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.4 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
52.7
0
$18.44
$8.43
Efficient EV
43.9
0
$15.36
$7.02
EV Truck/SUV
70.2
0
$24.58
$11.24
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
21 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 20, 2026
Origin
Poplar Bluff, MO
Late night
in Poplar Bluff on Tuesday
Local time
4:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
O'Fallon, MO
Late night
in O'Fallon on Tuesday
Local time
4:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Arnold, MO
88 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
2 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
3h 28m 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.
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
$19
near mile 139.3
Established by 1750, Ste. Geneviève was the first permanent European settlement in Missouri. Early French Canadian settlers were drawn here by the rich agricultural land known as Le Grand Champ (the B...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 102.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 94% of the journey taking place on interstates and major highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 112.6 miles, primarily on US 60, before transitioning to I-55 and then I-270. This means you'll largely be in a mode of steady, efficient travel rather than navigating winding backroads. The road character is geared towards covering distance quickly, making it ideal for those prioritizing arrival time.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 60 and I 55. 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 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 13 significant decision points across 175.6 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 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 158.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Poplar Bluff, MO and O'Fallon, MO, road signs point toward Chicago, Saint Louis and Saint Louis Lambert International Airport.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 28m. Total distance: 175.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 28m 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 O'Fallon, 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 158.7 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 and Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at O'Fallon, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
