Saint Charles, MO to Greenfield, MO is 254.5 miles and takes about 4h 57m via Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor, US 160, and Olympian Boulevard, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Missouri, moving south through the Midwest region. Expect a route that primarily utilizes surface roads, offering a more grounded perspective of the landscape. With a recommended one-day drive, it's a straightforward trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently.
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
127.2 miles from Saint Charles, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
196.5 mi
3h 33m
US 160
19.5 mi
26m
Olympian Boulevard
17 mi
23m
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
Longest stretch:
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
— 196.5 mi, about 3h 33m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,737 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,365
Quietest
2 AM
~188 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Greenfield, 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
196 mi·3 hr 33 min·Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 75Toward US 160: West Bypass, Willard
19
Turn right onto US 160
3.5 mi·4 min·US 160
20
Enter roundabout onto US 160
133 ft·5 sec·US 160
21
Continue on US 160
1.3 mi·1 min·US 160
22
Enter roundabout onto US 160
135 ft·4 sec·US 160
23
Continue on US 160
0.6 mi·54 sec·US 160
24
Enter roundabout onto US 160
130 ft·4 sec·Olympian Boulevard
25
Continue on US 160
17 mi·23 min·Olympian Boulevard
26
Turn straight onto US 160
14 mi·19 min·US 160
27
Turn left onto Lilly Street
0.2 mi·54 sec·Lilly Street
28
At end of road, turn left onto Talbutt Street
183 ft·9 sec·Talbutt Street
29
Turn right onto North Allison Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·North Allison Avenue
30
Arrive at destination
South Allison Avenue
Trip Plan
Aim to depart from Saint Charles early in the morning to make the most of the daylight for your 4h 57m drive. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility, but consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs. With a fuel cost estimated at $40, plan your refueling stops accordingly, especially since much of the route is on surface roads. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services might be less frequent on the latter half of the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor.
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 127.2 miles from Saint Charles, MO, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 196.5 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 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.2 miles or 2h 27m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Greenfield, 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 254.5 miles and 4h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 196.5 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 217.3 — 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
217.3 mi into trip|~4h 5m in
Take the exit toward US 160: West Bypass, Willard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 75
Toward US 160: West Bypass, Willard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.45 one way
$84.91 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$46.32
$92.64
premium
$5.25
$52.63
$105.27
diesel
$6.18
$61.91
$123.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.4
0
$26.72
$12.22
Efficient EV
63.6
0
$22.27
$10.18
EV Truck/SUV
101.8
1
$35.63
$16.29
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Saint Charles, MO
Evening
in Saint Charles on Tuesday
Local time
6:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
SE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Greenfield, MO
Evening
in Greenfield on Tuesday
Local time
6:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
S 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
80°F
Dixon, MO
127 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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 57m 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.
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 219.4
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 features a relatively low highway share of 13%, meaning most of your time will be spent on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch is 196.5 miles along the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor. After this, you'll transition to other roads like US 160 and Olympian Boulevard, which are also primarily surface roads. Be prepared for a more rural cruising experience with fewer exits than you'd find on a major interstate.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 196.5 mi on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 254.5 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
1,486 ft433 ft
Total Climb
1,446 ft
Total Descent
837 ft
Highest Point
1,486 ft
~200 mi in
Elevation Range
1,054 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 Greenfield, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Willard 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 4h 57m. Total distance: 254.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 196.5 miles on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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 Greenfield, 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 20 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 — Wilson's Creek National Battlefield and 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 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Greenfield, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
