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Trip from Poplar Bluff, MO to Saint Charles, MO

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 44m

Distance

165.4 mi

266 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Sparse

1 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 34m ★
6 AM
2h 45m
8 AM
3h 6m
10 AM
2h 52m
12 PM
2h 50m
3 PM
2h 53m
5 PM
3h 5m
8 PM
2h 38m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Butler County, Missouri, United States

Poplar Bluff, MO

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of St. Charles County, Missouri, United States

Saint Charles, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 165.4-mile journey from Poplar Bluff, MO to Saint Charles, MO is a straightforward, single-day excursion, taking approximately 2 hours and 44 minutes. You'll navigate primarily on North Westwood Boulevard and State Street before merging onto I 55 North for a portion of the trip. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest to Midwest drive is around $25. With just one recommended stop, this route is designed for efficiency, making it an ideal option if you're looking for a relatively quick trip between these Missouri cities. It's a practical drive that keeps you moving without extensive detours.

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

82.7 miles from Poplar Bluff, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
North Westwood Boulevard — —
State Street — —
I 55 North — —
Rosa Parks Highway — —
I 270 West — —
I 70 — —
I 70 West — —
South Fifth Street — —

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: North Westwood Boulevard — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Poplar Bluff, MO and Saint Charles, MO.

1

Start on West Pine Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Pine Street
2

Turn right onto North Westwood Boulevard

1.3 mi · 2 min · North Westwood Boulevard
3

Continue on State Street

0.3 mi · 26 sec · State Street
4

Continue on North Westwood Boulevard

1.6 mi · 2 min · North Westwood Boulevard
5

Continue straight

0.4 mi · 38 sec
6

Continue straight

113 mi · 2 hr 9 min
7

Keep slight right

0.3 mi · 27 sec
8

Take the exit straight toward I 55 North: Saint Louis

0.3 mi · 49 sec · I 55 North: Saint Louis
9

Merge slight left

21 mi · 22 min
10

Continue on Rosa Parks Highway

1.3 mi · 1 min · Rosa Parks Highway
11

Take the exit slight right toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago

0.2 mi · 27 sec · I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
12

Keep slight left to continue on I 270 West: Kansas City

387 ft · 8 sec · I 270 West: Kansas City
13

Continue on I 270 West

0.7 mi · 1 min · I 270 West
14

Merge slight left

18 mi · 22 min
15

Take the exit slight right toward I 70: Kansas City, Saint Louis, Saint Louis Lambert International Airport

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 70: Kansas City, Saint Louis, Saint Louis Lambert International Airport
16

Keep slight left to continue on I 70 West: Kansas City

0.1 mi · 11 sec · I 70 West: Kansas City
17

Continue on I 70 West: Kansas City

0.6 mi · 57 sec · I 70 West: Kansas City
18

Merge slight left

2.7 mi · 3 min
19

Take the exit slight right toward I 70 Business: Fifth Street

0.2 mi · 18 sec · I 70 Business: Fifth Street
20

Keep slight right to continue on I 70 Business: Fifth Street North, Bass Pro Drive, Ameristar Boulevard

233 ft · 5 sec · I 70 Business: Fifth Street North, Bass Pro Drive, Ameristar Boulevard
21

Turn slight right onto South Fifth Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · South Fifth Street
22

Turn right onto Jefferson Street

0.2 mi · 44 sec · Jefferson Street
23

Turn left onto North Second Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · North Second Street
24

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Given the modest 2-hour and 44-minute duration for this 165.4-mile drive, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Poplar Bluff in the morning allows for a relaxed arrival in Saint Charles by midday, with time to spare. The estimated fuel cost of $25 is quite manageable, so plan to refuel before you leave Poplar Bluff to ensure a smooth journey. With only one recommended stop, consider making it a quick pit stop for a snack or to stretch your legs. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to local signage as you transition from I 55 North onto the local roads leading into Saint Charles, as these can change quickly.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 82.7 miles from Poplar Bluff, MO, or about 1h 22m into the drive.

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 36 miles or 35m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 82.7 miles or 1h 22m 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 15m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Charles, 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 165.4 miles and 2h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Leadington, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Leadington, MO

83 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Fredericktown, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Leadington, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 82.7 miles from Poplar Bluff, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

The Wine Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Charles, Missouri

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 165.4

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+16364108002

Visit website

The Wine Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 165.4

St Charles, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+16364108002

Visit website

Cafe Telegraph Smoke Shack

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 141.7

St. Louis, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+13142009952

Visit website

QTea Vietnamese Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 141.7

Arnold, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+16363332869

Visit website

Filipino Bakery Cafe & Market

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 153.5

Maryland Heights, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+13147106335

Visit website

Cafe Amalia

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30 mile 153.5

Kirkwood, Missouri

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+13146982200

Visit website

Francis Energy Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Poplar Bluff, Missouri

+18004891588

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.86 one way

$51.72 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $28.39 $56.78
premium $4.89 $31.83 $63.66
diesel $5.61 $36.52 $73.04

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: 57.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 49.6 0 $17.37 $7.94
Efficient EV 41.4 0 $14.47 $6.62
EV Truck/SUV 66.2 0 $23.16 $10.59

Gas CO2

58 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (67% 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

9:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

83°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Saint Charles, MO

Night in Saint Charles on Saturday

Local time

9:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live 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

26 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

2h 44m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for much of this 165.4-mile route. While I 55 North offers a brief stretch of highway driving, the majority of your journey will involve navigating through local streets and roads. The highway share is 0%, indicating a consistent focus on surface streets and potentially more frequent intersections and speed changes. This means you'll need to stay alert and manage your pace as you transition between different road types. The drive progresses by moving you through more developed areas as you approach Saint Charles.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Main road: North Westwood Boulevard.

How Hard Is This Drive?

1/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Poplar Bluff, MO to Saint Charles, MO is easy. At 2h 44m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Poplar Bluff, MO to Saint Charles, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 44m. Total distance: 165.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Poplar Bluff, MO to Saint Charles, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Saint Charles, MO before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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