Saint Charles, MO to Raymore, MO is 237.2 miles and takes about 4h 40m via I 70 and MO 291, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Missouri, taking you through the heart of the Midwest. The route is predominantly highway, making for a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day travel time, you can comfortably reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
118.6 miles from Saint Charles, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
211.2 mi
3h 59m
MO 291
11.1 mi
17m
I 470
6.4 mi
7m
MO 58
2.5 mi
4m
First Capitol Drive
1.8 mi
4m
East Walnut Street
1.7 mi
3m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
1.6 mi
1m
North Second Street
0.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 211.2 mi, about 3h 59m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 17 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,952 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,444
Quietest
1 AM
~261 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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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 Raymore, MO.
Exit 15AToward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's SummitUse the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 470; MO 291
6.4 mi·7 min·I 470; MO 291
9
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 291
3.3 mi·5 min·MO 291
Exit 10BToward MO 291 South: HarrisonvilleUse the slight left / straight lanes.
10
Take the ramp onto MO 291
0.6 mi·53 sec·MO 291
Toward US 50 West, MO 291 South: Kansas City
11
Take the exit onto MO 291
0.1 mi·18 sec·MO 291
Toward MO 291 South: Jefferson Street, Harrisonville
12
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 291
7.1 mi·10 min·MO 291
Toward MO 291 South: Harrisonville
13
Take the exit
138 ft·4 sec
14
Turn right onto MO 58
0.9 mi·1 min·MO 58
15
Enter roundabout onto MO 58
56 ft·1 sec·MO 58
16
Continue on MO 58
0.5 mi·56 sec·MO 58
17
Enter roundabout onto MO 58
135 ft·2 sec·MO 58
18
Continue on MO 58
1.0 mi·1 min·MO 58
19
Enter roundabout onto MO 58
115 ft·2 sec·East Walnut Street
20
Continue on MO 58
1.7 mi·3 min·East Walnut Street
21
Turn left onto South Franklin Street
0.1 mi·36 sec·South Franklin Street
22
Turn right onto East Olive Street
299 ft·13 sec·East Olive Street
23
Arrive at destination
East Olive Street
Trip Plan
Starting your drive from Saint Charles in the morning is a good idea, allowing you to take advantage of the 4h 40m travel time and arrive in Raymore with plenty of daylight. Since this is a one-day trip of 237.2 miles, you likely won't need to stop for an overnight. The fuel cost is estimated at $42, so ensure you have enough for the trip. Pay attention to the transition from I 70 to MO 291 as it marks a change in the road's character and potentially exit frequency.
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 118.6 miles from Saint Charles, MO, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 211.2 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 52 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.6 miles or 2h 17m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Raymore, 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 237.2 miles and 4h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 I 70 for about 211.2 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 225.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.3 mi into trip|~5m in|I 70
Merge onto I 70
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
215 mi into trip|~4h 6m in
Take the exit toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 15A
Toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
8
221.7 mi into trip|~4h 14m in|MO 291
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 291 toward MO 291 South: Harrisonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward MO 291 South: Harrisonville
6
225 mi into trip|~4h 20m in|MO 291
Take the ramp onto MO 291 toward US 50 West, MO 291 South: Kansas City
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 50 West, MO 291 South: Kansas City
5
225.6 mi into trip|~4h 21m in|MO 291
Take the exit onto MO 291 toward MO 291 South: Jefferson Street, Harrisonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MO 291 South: Jefferson Street, Harrison...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.03 one way
$70.06 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$38.67
$77.34
premium
$4.72
$44.04
$88.08
diesel
$4.80
$44.79
$89.58
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.2
0
$24.91
$11.39
Efficient EV
59.3
0
$20.76
$9.49
EV Truck/SUV
94.9
1
$33.21
$15.18
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Saint Charles, MO
Late night
in Saint Charles on Sunday
Local time
5:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
W 10 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:57AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Raymore, MO
Late night
in Raymore on Sunday
Local time
5:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 9 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:57AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
91°F
Columbia, MO
119 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
3 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 40m 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.
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?
This drive is almost entirely on highways, with 97% of the 237.2 miles being on major roads like I 70. You'll experience a long stretch of consistent highway cruising for 211.2 miles on I 70. The transition to MO 291 and I 470 will introduce more local traffic and exits as you approach your destination. Expect a high volume of interchanges for much of the trip.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 211.2 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and MO 291. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in near I 70.
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 16 significant decision points across 237.2 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 2.3 miles (I 70): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 215 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 221.7 miles (MO 291): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 40m. Total distance: 237.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 211.2 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 32 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 Raymore, 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 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles (I 70): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 215 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 221.7 miles (MO 291): 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Raymore, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
