Traveling from Saint Charles to Cabool covers 172.6 miles of Missouri terrain, typically requiring about 3 hours and 28 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a relatively short trek across the Midwest, you can easily complete it as a one-day trip without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor, North Bishop Avenue, and I-270. With a fuel budget of approximately $26, the trip is quite economical for a solo traveler or a small group. This route is ideal if you prefer a direct drive between these two Missouri points, offering a straightforward connection that avoids the need for complex multi-day planning.
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
86.3 miles from Saint Charles, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
86.4 mi
1h 34m
North Bishop Avenue
64.3 mi
1h 20m
I 270
10.9 mi
13m
I 70
2.7 mi
3m
Dougherty Ferry Road
2.5 mi
4m
South Fifth Street
1.1 mi
2m
Forest Avenue
1 mi
2m
MO 141
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
— 86.4 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Charles, MO and Cabool, MO.
1
Start on North Second Street
0.2 mi·38 sec·North Second Street
2
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
0.2 mi·44 sec·Jefferson Street
3
Turn left onto MO 94
1.1 mi·2 min·South Fifth Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 70 EastUse the left / straight lanes.
5
Merge onto I 70
2.7 mi·3 min·I 70
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·12 sec
Exit 232Toward I 270: Chicago, MemphisUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·33 sec
Toward I 270 South: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
8
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·10 sec·this road
Exit 232Toward I 270 South: Memphis
9
Merge onto I 270
11 mi·13 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 8Toward Dougherty Ferry RoadUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn right onto Dougherty Ferry Road
2.5 mi·4 min·Dougherty Ferry Road
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on Forest Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·Forest Avenue
13
Turn left onto MO 141
0.7 mi·1 min·MO 141
14
Take the exit
105 ft·3 sec
15
Turn right onto North Highway Drive
0.1 mi·14 sec·North Highway Drive
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·13 sec
Toward I 44 West, US 50 West: Rolla
17
Merge onto I 44; US 50
86 mi·1 hr 34 min·Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 185Toward MO E: Rolla
19
Enter roundabout onto MO E
294 ft·5 sec·Tim Bradley Way
20
Continue on MO E
0.4 mi·48 sec·Tim Bradley Way
Use the left lane.
21
Turn slight right onto I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63
30 ft·0 sec·North Bishop Avenue
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63
145 ft·2 sec·North Bishop Avenue
23
Continue on I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63
64 mi·1 hr 20 min·North Bishop Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
24
Turn right onto US 60 Business
0.5 mi·59 sec·US 60 Business
Use the right lane.
25
Turn right
120 ft·8 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this drive clocks in under four hours, you have the flexibility to depart at your leisure, though heading out mid-morning helps avoid peak traffic near Saint Charles. Plan for at least one stop to break up the 172.6-mile journey and keep your focus sharp on the more technical sections. Given the $26 fuel estimate, topping off your tank before leaving Saint Charles is a smart way to ensure you don't have to hunt for gas stations during the longer 86.4-mile stretch. Since the route relies heavily on local roads, keep your navigation app handy to manage the frequent turns effectively. Embrace the shorter duration by using your one planned stop to stretch your legs, as the winding nature of the drive can be more physically demanding than a straight highway run.
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 86.3 miles from Saint Charles, MO, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.4 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 38 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.3 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cabool, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Saint Charles, 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 Saint Charles, MO
This is one driving day of about 172.6 miles and 3h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Saint Charles, 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 Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor for about 86.4 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 16 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Jefferson Street
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|MO 94 / South Fifth Street
Turn left onto MO 94 / South Fifth Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
4.3 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
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 232
Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
7
4.5 mi into trip|~8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 270 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 270 South: Memphis
7
16 mi into trip|~22m in
Take the exit toward Dougherty Ferry Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 8
Toward Dougherty Ferry Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.98 one way
$53.97 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$29.63
$59.25
premium
$4.89
$33.22
$66.43
diesel
$5.61
$38.11
$76.22
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: 60.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.8
0
$18.12
$8.28
Efficient EV
43.2
0
$15.10
$6.90
EV Truck/SUV
69
0
$24.16
$11.05
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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 11, 2026
Origin
Saint Charles, MO
Night
in Saint Charles on Saturday
Local time
11:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
SE 8 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Cabool, MO
Night
in Cabool on Saturday
Local time
11:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
S 9 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
74°F
Washington, MO
86 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
3h 28m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention compared to a standard interstate cruise. Although the route features a 9% highway share, much of your time will be spent on winding, non-highway roads that give the trip a more technical feel. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 86.4 miles along the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor, where you can settle into a steady rhythm. As you transition from the Saint Charles area toward Cabool, the road character shifts from suburban connectivity to the more localized, curving paths characteristic of the region. Stay alert through the turns, as the road surface and geometry will vary significantly throughout the journey.
Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.4 mi on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 0.2 miles in near Jefferson Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 172.6 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 0.2 miles (Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (MO 94 / South Fifth Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,287 ft491 ft
Total Climb
796 ft
Total Descent
0 ft
Highest Point
1,287 ft
~172.6 mi in
Elevation Range
796 ft
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 Saint Charles, MO to Cabool, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Mo E: Rolla along the way.
Mo E: Rolla
107.2 mi in|~2h 5m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 28m. Total distance: 172.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 86.4 miles on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor. 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 Cabool, 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 0.2 miles (Jefferson Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (MO 94 / South Fifth Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Cabool, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
