Rock Port to St. Louis is 367.7 miles and takes about 6h 56m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $65 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you across Missouri, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Expect a mix of highway driving and surface roads for most of the trip. Given the relatively short duration, it's a manageable one-day trip if you get an early start.
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
183.8 miles from Rock Port, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
135.3 mi
2h 34m
I 29
92.9 mi
1h 39m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
I 435
28 mi
30m
Avenue of the Saints
27.7 mi
33m
Jack Buck Memorial Highway
5.8 mi
7m
Daniel Boone Expressway
5.7 mi
7m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
5.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 135.3 mi, about 2h 34m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 23 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 Rock Port, MO and St. Louis, MO.
1
Start on South Nebraska Street
85 ft·9 sec·South Nebraska Street
2
Turn left onto West Clay Street
0.1 mi·30 sec·West Clay Street
3
Turn right onto MO 111
0.7 mi·2 min·South Main Street
4
Continue on MO 111
2.7 mi·3 min·Lewis & Clark Trail
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward I 29 South: Saint Joseph
6
Merge onto I 29
91 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 29
7
Merge onto I 29; I 435; US 71
2.2 mi·2 min·I 29; I 435; US 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 435
28 mi·30 min·I 435
Exit 14Toward I 435 East: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24
0.3 mi·23 sec·US 24
Exit 63Toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Kansas City, Sports Complex
10
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·1 min
Toward I 70 East: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
469 ft·11 sec
Toward I 70 East: Saint LouisUse the slight left / straight lanes.
32 mi·34 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi·24 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
19
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
20
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
21
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
22
Continue on I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
23
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
24
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
28 mi·33 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
25
Continue on I 64; US 40
5.7 mi·7 min·Daniel Boone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on I 64; US 40
5.8 mi·7 min·Jack Buck Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 39AToward 14th StreetUse the slight right lane.
28
Turn left onto South 14th Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·South 14th Street
Use the left lane.
29
Turn right onto Market Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Market Street
30
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 56m drive, aim for an early morning departure from Rock Port. This allows you to complete the 367.7 miles before evening and gives you flexibility. The route includes one recommended stop, so plan for a break roughly midway or when you feel ready. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you transition from highway to surface roads, and budget around $65 for gas. The 135.3-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is a good time to cover distance efficiently.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 183.8 miles from Rock Port, MO, or about 3h 22m 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 81 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.8 miles or 3h 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 5h 42m
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 Rock Port, 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 Rock Port, MO
This is one driving day of about 367.7 miles and 6h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Rock Port, 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 96.9 and 366.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
96.9 mi into trip|~1h 47m in|I 435
Keep slight right at fork onto I 435 toward I 435 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 14
Toward I 435 East: Saint Louis
7
124.9 mi into trip|~2h 17m in|US 24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24 toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Kansas City, Sports Complex
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 63
Toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Ka...
7
125.2 mi into trip|~2h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
7
126.4 mi into trip|~2h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
7
366.9 mi into trip|~6h 54m 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
$61.13 one way
$122.27 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg129 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$66.59
$133.18
premium
$5.18
$75.03
$150.06
diesel
$5.35
$77.45
$154.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
110.3
1
$38.61
$17.65
Efficient EV
91.9
1
$32.17
$14.71
EV Truck/SUV
147.1
1
$51.48
$23.53
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Rock Port, MO
Afternoon
in Rock Port on Wednesday
Local time
2:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Patchy Fog
N 3 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:06AM CDT until June 1 at 4:45AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:04AM CDT until June 1 at 4:30AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
St. Louis, MO
Afternoon
in St. Louis on Wednesday
Local time
2:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
S 2 mph68% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:06AM CDT until June 1 at 4:45AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:04AM CDT until June 1 at 4:30AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
86°F
Centralia, MO
184 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 56m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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?
About 35% of this 367.7-mile route is on highways. You'll experience a stretch of 135.3 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which is a significant portion of your time on higher-speed roads. After the highway sections, expect to transition to more varied surface roads. This mix means you'll encounter both faster cruising and areas with more frequent intersections and lower speed limits.
35% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 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
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 96.9 miles in near I 435.
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 16 significant decision points across 367.7 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 96.9 miles (I 435): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.9 miles (US 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
985 ft464 ft
Total Climb
353 ft
Total Descent
831 ft
Highest Point
985 ft
~105 mi in
Elevation Range
522 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rock Port, MO and St. Louis, MO, road signs point toward Kansas City and Sports Complex.
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 6h 56m. Total distance: 367.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 56m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface 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.
Yes — we found about 50 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 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. There are 50 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 96.9 miles (I 435): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.9 miles (US 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at St. Louis, MO before the return drive.
