Riverside, MO to St. Louis, MO is 255.2 miles and takes about 4h 58m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, taking you across the Midwest. The route is mostly on surface roads, so expect a more local feel rather than interstate cruising. With only one recommended stop and a drive time under five hours, this is a straightforward trip for a single day.
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
127.6 miles from Riverside, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
135.3 mi
2h 34m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
Avenue of the Saints
27.7 mi
33m
George Brett Super Highway
8.1 mi
11m
Jack Buck Memorial Highway
5.8 mi
7m
Daniel Boone Expressway
5.7 mi
7m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
5.6 mi
6m
US 169
3.5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 135.3 mi, about 2h 34m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,281 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,830
Quietest
1 AM
~292 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
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 Riverside, MO and St. Louis, MO.
1
Start on this road
154 ft·12 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn uturn onto US 69
115 ft·8 sec·Northwest Gateway Avenue
3
Turn straight onto US 69
310 ft·12 sec·US 69
Toward US 69 North
4
Turn sharp left onto US 69
157 ft·6 sec·Northwest Vivion Road
5
Turn left onto US 69
0.4 mi·48 sec·Northwest Gateway Avenue
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on US 69
0.9 mi·1 min·Northwest Platte Road
7
Enter roundabout onto Northwest Briarcliff Parkway
60 ft·1 sec·Northwest Briarcliff Parkway
8
Continue on Northwest Briarcliff Parkway
396 ft·8 sec·Northwest Briarcliff Parkway
9
Enter roundabout
480 ft·9 sec
Toward MO 9 South: North Kansas City
10
Continue
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward MO 9 South: North Kansas City
11
Merge onto MO 9
0.3 mi·24 sec·MO 9
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward US 169 South: Kansas City
13
Merge onto US 169
3.5 mi·5 min·US 169
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto Broadway Boulevard
0.1 mi·18 sec·Broadway Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn left onto West 6th Street
0.3 mi·26 sec·West 6th Street
Use the left lane.
16
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward I 35 North, I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East
17
Continue on I 35; I 70; US 24; US 40
0.4 mi·39 sec·George Brett Super Highway
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70; US 24; US 40
0.5 mi·58 sec·George Brett Super Highway
Toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 71 South: Saint Louis, JoplinUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70; US 24; US 40
7.1 mi·9 min·George Brett Super Highway
Exit noneToward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East: Saint LouisUse the slight left / straight lanes.
32 mi·34 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi·24 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
26
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
27
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
28
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
29
Continue on I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
30
Take the exit onto US 40
0.3 mi·33 sec·US 40
Exit 210AToward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
31
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
28 mi·33 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
32
Continue on I 64; US 40
5.7 mi·7 min·Daniel Boone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
33
Continue on I 64; US 40
5.8 mi·7 min·Jack Buck Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 39AToward 14th StreetUse the slight right lane.
35
Turn left onto South 14th Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·South 14th Street
Use the left lane.
36
Turn right onto Market Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Market Street
37
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
Leaving Riverside in the morning should give you plenty of daylight to reach St. Louis. Since this drive is under five hours, you can be flexible with your timing. Plan for one stop along the way to stretch your legs or grab a bite. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially after leaving the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, as services might be less frequent on the surface roads. The estimated fuel cost is around $39.
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 127.6 miles from Riverside, MO, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.3 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 56 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.6 miles or 2h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near St. Louis, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Riverside, 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 Riverside, MO
This is one driving day of about 255.2 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Riverside, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 135.3 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 0.1 and 254.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 69 / Northwest Vivion Road
Turn sharp left onto US 69 / Northwest Vivion Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in
Enter roundabout toward MO 9 South: North Kansas City
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward MO 9 South: North Kansas City
8
6.8 mi into trip|~12m in|I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 71 South: Saint Louis, Joplin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East, US 71...
9
7.3 mi into trip|~13m in|I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit none
Toward I 70 East, US 24 East, US 40 East: Saint...
7
254.5 mi into trip|~4h 57m in
Take the exit toward 14th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 39A
Toward 14th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.69 one way
$75.37 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$41.61
$83.21
premium
$4.72
$47.38
$94.77
diesel
$4.80
$48.19
$96.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.6
0
$26.80
$12.25
Efficient EV
63.8
0
$22.33
$10.21
EV Truck/SUV
102.1
1
$35.73
$16.33
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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
Riverside, MO
Late night
in Riverside on Monday
Local time
12:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
SW 7 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
St. Louis, MO
Late night
in St. Louis on Monday
Local time
12:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
W 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 58m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly on surface roads, with about 4% on highways. You'll experience the longest stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, covering 135.3 miles. Expect a significant portion of your drive to be on local roads, so be prepared for varied speed limits and more intersections after the highway segments end.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 135.3 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 69 / Northwest Vivion Road.
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 255.2 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 0.1 miles (US 69 / Northwest Vivion Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 6.8 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The Gateway City of St. Louis is the epitome of the modern Midwestern metropolis. Missouri's second-largest city is vibrant but laid-back, populous but navigable, historic but still relevant. The city's planners have created an aesthetically beautiful city, with plenty of green space amidst buildings both old and new, framed by the majestic Mississippi and Missouri rivers. And capping it all is the world's tallest man-made monument, the beautiful and iconic Gateway Arch.
St. Louis is a city of culture and surprisingly inexpensive. Among American cities, only Washington, D.C. has more free attractions for tourists and residents alike. Hotels, restaurants, and even parking garages avoid the premium pricing common in other big cities. Although often overlooked, St. Louis can be an affordable, educational, and fun family getaway.
Top landmarks
•Gateway Arch — monument in St. Louis, Missouri
•Missouri Botanical Garden — non-profit organization in the USA
•Gateway Arch National Park — American National Park in St. Louis, Missouri
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 58m. Total distance: 255.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 135.3 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. 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 St. Louis, 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 0.1 miles (US 69 / Northwest Vivion Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 6.8 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at St. Louis, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
