Saint Charles, MO to Fair Grove, MO is 206.2 miles and takes about 3h 57m via Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor, I 270, and MO E, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. The route offers a mostly surface road experience, ideal if you prefer to avoid extensive highway driving. With only one recommended stop and a single day's drive, it's a straightforward option for a quick trip between these two locations.
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
103.1 miles from Saint Charles, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
171.2 mi
3h 5m
I 270
10.9 mi
13m
MO E
7.2 mi
9m
County Road 523
5.9 mi
8m
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
Longest stretch:
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
— 171.2 mi, about 3h 5m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 11 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~6,589 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~547 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12×
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 Saint Charles, MO and Fair Grove, 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
171 mi·3 hr 5 min·Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 100Toward MO 38, MO W: Marshfield
19
Turn right onto MO 38
306 ft·15 sec·Spur Drive
20
Turn left onto MO 38
1.2 mi·1 min·County Road 523
21
Keep slight right at fork onto MO 38
4.7 mi·6 min·County Road 523
22
Keep slight left at fork onto MO E
7.1 mi·9 min·MO E
23
Keep slight right at fork onto MO E
477 ft·9 sec·MO E
24
Turn right onto MO 125
0.2 mi·16 sec·South Grove Road
25
Continue on MO 125
0.7 mi·1 min·East Old Mill Road
26
Arrive at destination
MO 125
Trip Plan
Given this route takes under four hours, it's easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow plenty of time for the drive and any unscheduled stops. The longest stretch on the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor means you'll want to ensure you have adequate fuel before heading onto that section, as services might be less frequent. With only one stop recommended, you have flexibility; however, plan your fuel stops strategically. Consider leaving Saint Charles before the morning commute on I 270 to make your initial exit smoother.
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 103.1 miles from Saint Charles, MO, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 171.2 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 45 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.1 miles or 2h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fair Grove, 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 206.2 miles and 3h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 171.2 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 192 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
6
192 mi into trip|~3h 36m in
Take the exit toward MO 38, MO W: Marshfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 100
Toward MO 38, MO W: Marshfield
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.28 one way
$68.57 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$37.34
$74.69
premium
$5.18
$42.08
$84.15
diesel
$5.35
$43.43
$86.86
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.9
0
$21.65
$9.90
Efficient EV
51.6
0
$18.04
$8.25
EV Truck/SUV
82.5
1
$28.87
$13.20
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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 May 31, 2026
Origin
Saint Charles, MO
Afternoon
in Saint Charles on Wednesday
Local time
3:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 7 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 30 at 8:34PM CDT until June 1 at 5:08PM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 30 at 8:23PM CDT until June 1 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Fair Grove, MO
Afternoon
in Fair Grove on Wednesday
Local time
3:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 8 mph56% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 30 at 8:34PM CDT until June 1 at 5:08PM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 30 at 8:23PM CDT until June 1 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
68°F
Cuba, MO
103 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 57m 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.
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
$19
near mile 14.2
Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 206.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily surface roads, with only 7% on highways. You'll spend most of your time on roads like the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor, which accounts for the longest continuous stretch at 171.2 miles. Expect a more rural cruising feel for the majority of your travel, with the transition from I 270 to surface roads happening early on. The limited highway share means fewer exits and a more consistent pace once you're off the interstate.
Only 7% 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: 171.2 mi on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor.
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 0.4 miles in near MO 94 / South Fifth Street.
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 20 significant decision points across 206.2 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 0.4 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,420 ft477 ft
Total Climb
1,458 ft
Total Descent
737 ft
Highest Point
1,420 ft
~191.5 mi in
Elevation Range
943 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 Fair Grove, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Mo W: Marshfield along the way.
St. Charles, Missouri is outside of St. Louis on the bank of the Missouri River. It was Missouri's first state capital and was one of the first stops by Lewis and Clark on their journey to explore Louisiana Territory. The historic Main Street has largely been restored to its 1812-era appearance including gas lights a boardwalk and is lined with shops selling artwork, handicrafts, home decorations, antiques. There are also many restaurants.
Top landmarks
•First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site — historic site in Missouri, United States
•African Church — church building in Missouri, United States of America
•Frenchtown Historic District — historic district in St. Charles County, Missouri
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 57m. Total distance: 206.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 171.2 miles on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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 Fair Grove, 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park and Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Fair Grove, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
