Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 40m
Distance
138.7 mi
223 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Charles, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Chaffee, MO
life vibes
This 138.7-mile journey from Saint Charles, MO to Chaffee, MO is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes. You'll primarily be on the Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway and I-270, with a small portion on Nash Road. With a fuel cost estimated at $22, this drive offers a straightforward experience through the Midwest region of Missouri. The route is designed for a single day, making it a convenient option for a quick excursion or a segment of a larger road trip. Expect a local feel for much of the drive, punctuated by highway stretches.
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
69.3 miles from Saint Charles, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway | 101 mi | 1h 48m |
| I 270 | 19 mi | 23m |
| Nash Road | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| MO 77 | 2.9 mi | 5m |
| I 70 | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Rosa Parks Highway | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| South Fifth Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Charles, MO and Chaffee, MO.
Start on North Second Street
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
Turn left onto MO 94
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 70
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on this road
Merge onto I 270
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 55
Continue on I 55
Continue on I 55
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right onto MO AB
Enter roundabout onto MO 77
Continue on MO 77
Turn left onto MO A
Enter roundabout onto MO A
Continue on MO A
Turn left onto MO M
Arrive at destination
Given the 2-hour 40-minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single day trip, offering flexibility in when you choose to depart. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this drive without feeling rushed. The estimated fuel cost of $22 makes budgeting straightforward. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to road signs as you transition between the Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway and local roads, as the "turn-heavy" nature means navigation can require focus. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your time at your destination.
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.
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 31 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.3 miles or 1h 21m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chaffee, MO than in the middle of the route.
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 138.7 miles and 2h 40m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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.
A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 69.3 miles from Saint Charles, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 101 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 129.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto MO 94 / South Fifth Street
Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight right at fork toward I 270 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward MO AB: Cape Girardeau Regional Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Regular Gas
$21.68 one way
$43.37 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $23.81 | $47.62 |
| premium | $4.89 | $26.69 | $53.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.62 | $61.25 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.6 | 0 | $14.56 | $6.66 |
| Efficient EV | 34.7 | 0 | $12.14 | $5.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.5 | 0 | $19.42 | $8.88 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Saint Charles on Saturday
Local time
11:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Sunny
Destination
Night in Chaffee on Saturday
Local time
11:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
57°F
Arnold, MO
69 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This drive has a "turn-heavy local drive" profile, meaning you’ll encounter more frequent turns and local road navigation than a pure interstate experience. While 18% of the route involves highways, you'll spend a significant portion on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 101 miles along the Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, offering a good period of consistent travel. Be prepared for a road that changes character, transitioning between more open highway and more involved local segments.
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 0.4 miles in near MO 94 / South Fifth Street.
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 19 significant decision points across 138.7 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 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; at 4.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Saint Charles, MO and Chaffee, MO, road signs point toward Memphis and Mo Ab: Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.
Memphis
Mo Ab: Cape Girardeau Regional Airport
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 40m. Total distance: 138.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
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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