Saint Charles, MO to Tarkio, MO is 348.1 miles and takes about 6h 41m via I 70 and I 29, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays entirely within Missouri, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. The majority of your time will be spent on interstates, making for a straightforward drive. It's a solid option if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two points in the state.
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
174 miles from Saint Charles, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
211.2 mi
3h 59m
I 29
75.1 mi
1h 20m
I 435
20.9 mi
22m
US 59
13.4 mi
20m
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
7.8 mi
9m
US Highway 59
5.8 mi
8m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
5.6 mi
6m
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 211.2 mi, about 3h 59m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 23 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,281 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,830
Quietest
1 AM
~292 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
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 Tarkio, MO.
Exit 8BToward I 435 North, US 24 East: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 435; US 24
7.8 mi·9 min·Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi·1 min·I435 N
13
Continue on I 435
21 mi·22 min·I 435
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71
37 mi·40 min·I 29; US 71
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
15
Continue on I 29; US 59; US 71
38 mi·40 min·I 29; US 59; US 71
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 92Toward US 59: Craig, Fairfax
17
Turn left onto US 59
12 mi·17 min·US 59
18
Turn right onto US 59
5.8 mi·8 min·US Highway 59
19
Continue on US 59; US 136
1.4 mi·2 min·US 59; US 136
20
Turn right onto US 136
0.5 mi·49 sec·Walnut Street
21
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
0.2 mi·45 sec·South 3rd Street
22
Turn right onto Main Street
158 ft·6 sec·Main Street
23
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour drive time, departing in the morning will allow you to reach Tarkio with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one recommended stop and a 94% highway profile, you can easily complete this drive in a single day without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you get further north on I 29, as services can become more spread out. The longest stretch without a major road change is 211.2 miles on I 70, so plan your breaks accordingly before you hit that segment.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 174 miles from Saint Charles, MO, or about 3h 20m 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 77 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174 miles or 3h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tarkio, 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 348.1 miles and 6h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 348.1 — 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
221.7 mi into trip|~4h 14m in
Take the exit toward I 435 North, US 24 East: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 8B
Toward I 435 North, US 24 East: Des Moines
6
252.8 mi into trip|~4h 49m in|I 29; US 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71 toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
6
327.9 mi into trip|~6h 10m in
Take the exit toward US 59: Craig, Fairfax
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 92
Toward US 59: Craig, Fairfax
5
348.1 mi into trip|~6h 41m in|Main Street
Turn right onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.88 one way
$115.75 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg122 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$63.04
$126.08
premium
$5.18
$71.03
$142.06
diesel
$5.35
$73.32
$146.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
104.4
1
$36.55
$16.71
Efficient EV
87
0
$30.46
$13.92
EV Truck/SUV
139.2
1
$48.73
$22.28
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Saint Charles, MO
Afternoon
in Saint Charles on Wednesday
Local time
2:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
S 3 mph92% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:06AM CDT until June 1 at 4:45AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:04AM CDT until June 1 at 4:30AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Tarkio, MO
Afternoon
in Tarkio on Wednesday
Local time
2:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Patchy Fog
NE 2 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:06AM CDT until June 1 at 4:45AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:04AM CDT until June 1 at 4:30AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
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
6h 41m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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?
You'll be on highways for 94% of this trip, covering 211.2 miles primarily on I 70 before transitioning to I 29. Expect a consistent cruising experience with minimal time on surface roads. The high highway percentage means you'll encounter a good number of exits and interchanges, particularly as you navigate through the St. Louis metropolitan area and then merge onto I 29.
94% 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?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and I 29. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in near I 70.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 348.1 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 221.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.8 miles (I 29; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,016 ft491 ft
Total Climb
894 ft
Total Descent
456 ft
Highest Point
1,016 ft
~273.5 mi in
Elevation Range
525 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 Tarkio, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Fairfax 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 6h 41m. Total distance: 348.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 41m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). 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 46 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Tarkio, 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 46 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 221.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.8 miles (I 29; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tarkio, MO before the return drive.
