Origin
Saint Peters, MO
Night in Saint Peters on Saturday
Local time
11:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saint Peters, MO to Ava, MO
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 26m
Distance
212.7 mi
342 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 13m
★
6 AM
4h 26m
8 AM
4h 53m
10 AM
4h 35m
12 PM
4h 33m
3 PM
4h 37m
5 PM
4h 51m
8 PM
4h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Peters, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Ava, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Saint Peters, MO to Ava, MO is 212.7 miles and takes about 4h 26m via I 44 and US 60, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, specifically traversing Missouri for its entirety. It's a straightforward drive that primarily utilizes major highways, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a relatively quick journey. Plan for a single day of travel, as the estimated driving time allows for plenty of daylight hours. You'll find this route offers a practical way to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.
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
106.4 miles from Saint Peters, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 12m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 44 | 67.3 mi | 1h 12m |
| North Bishop Avenue | 64.3 mi | 1h 20m |
| US 60 | 28.4 mi | 32m |
| MO 100 | 13.3 mi | 18m |
| US 60 Business | 11.4 mi | 16m |
| MO K | 6.5 mi | 11m |
| MO 109 | 4.7 mi | 7m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 3.7 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 67.3 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Peters, MO and Ava, MO.
1
Start on I 70
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
2
Take the exit
390 ft
·
8 sec
Exit 218
Toward MO K: O'Fallon, Main Street
Use the slight right lane.
3
Turn straight onto East Terra Lane
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Terra Lane
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn slight left
61 ft
·
1 sec
5
Continue on MO K
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
MO K
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on MO K
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
MO K
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
Exit 14
Toward Chesterfield Airport Road
Use the slight right lane.
10
Continue on Chesterfield Airport Road
361 ft
·
6 sec
·
Chesterfield Airport Road
11
Turn right
211 ft
·
5 sec
Toward Olive Street Road
12
Turn right onto Olive Street Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Olive Street Road
13
Continue on North Eatherton Road
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
North Eatherton Road
14
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
70 ft
·
1 sec
·
MO 109
15
Continue on MO 109
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
MO 109
16
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
94 ft
·
2 sec
·
MO 109
17
Continue on MO 109
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
MO 109
18
Enter roundabout
76 ft
·
1 sec
Toward MO 100 West: Gray Summit
19
Continue
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward MO 100 West: Gray Summit
20
Merge onto MO 100
13 mi
·
18 min
·
MO 100
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 44 West, US 50 West: St. Clair
22
Merge onto I 44; US 50
67 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
I 44; US 50
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 185
Toward MO E: Rolla
24
Enter roundabout onto MO E
294 ft
·
5 sec
·
Tim Bradley Way
25
Continue on MO E
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
Tim Bradley Way
Use the left lane.
26
Turn slight right onto I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63
30 ft
·
0 sec
·
North Bishop Avenue
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63
145 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Bishop Avenue
28
Continue on I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63
64 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
North Bishop Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
29
Turn right onto US 60 Business
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 60 Business
Use the right lane.
30
Turn left onto MO 181
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
South Elm Street
31
Continue on MO 181
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Peabody Avenue
32
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward US 60 West: Mountain Grove
33
Merge onto US 60
28 mi
·
32 min
·
US 60
34
Take the exit onto MO 5
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
MO 5
Toward US 60 BUS, MO 5 South, MO EE: Mansfield, Ava
Use the slight right lane.
35
Turn left onto US 60 Business; MO 5
11 mi
·
15 min
·
US 60 Business; MO 5
36
Continue on MO 5; MO 76
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
MO 5; MO 76
37
Turn left onto MO 14; MO 5 Business
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Springfield Road
38
Enter roundabout onto North Jefferson Street
17 ft
·
0 sec
·
North Jefferson Street
39
Continue on North Jefferson Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Jefferson Street
40
Arrive at destination
MO 5 Business
Trip Plan
Starting your drive from Saint Peters, MO, in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight, especially since this 212.7-mile trip can be completed in under 4.5 hours. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in where and when you choose to take a break; consider a fuel stop before or after the 67.3-mile stretch on I 44 to ensure you're well-equipped. The estimated fuel cost of $32 suggests keeping an eye on gas prices, particularly as you move away from major interstate services. Since this is a manageable one-day drive, you can depart at your leisure, but an early start ensures a relaxed arrival in Ava, MO.
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 106.4 miles from Saint Peters, MO, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.3 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 47 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.4 miles or 2h 12m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ava, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Saint Peters, 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 Peters, MO
This is one driving day of about 212.7 miles and 4h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Saint Peters, 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 44 for about 67.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
106 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 106.4 miles from Saint Peters, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 44 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 285 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 198.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
3 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward MO K: O'Fallon, Main Street
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 218
Toward MO K: O'Fallon, Main Street
6
10.5 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the ramp toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South
7
14.5 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward Chesterfield Airport Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 14
Toward Chesterfield Airport Road
6
170.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 32m in
Take the ramp toward US 60 West: Mountain Grove
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward US 60 West: Mountain Grove
7
198.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 5m in
|
MO 5
Take the exit onto MO 5 toward US 60 BUS, MO 5 South, MO EE: Mansfield, Ava
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 60 BUS, MO 5 South, MO EE: Mansfield,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.25 one way
$66.51 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $36.51 | $73.02 |
| premium | $4.89 | $40.93 | $81.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $46.96 | $93.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.8 | 0 | $22.33 | $10.21 |
| Efficient EV | 53.2 | 0 | $18.61 | $8.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.1 | 1 | $29.78 | $13.61 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Ava, MO
Night in Ava on Saturday
Local time
11:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Washington, MO
106 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 26m 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...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
$19
near mile 22
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 61% of the route utilizing major highways like I 44 and US 60. You'll experience a significant stretch of 67.3 miles on I 44, offering a chance to maintain consistent speed. While the majority of the drive involves highway travel, expect some transitions onto other main roads as you approach your destination. The overall character is one of efficient transit rather than winding backroads, facilitating a steady pace for most of the journey.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.3 mi on I 44.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and North Bishop Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 212.7 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 3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Saint Peters, MO and Ava, MO, road signs point toward Mo E: Rolla and Mo Ee: Mansfield.
Mo E: Rolla
104.2 mi in
|
~2h 9m
Mo Ee: Mansfield
198.9 mi in
|
~4h 5m
|
via MO 5
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 26m. Total distance: 212.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 67.3 miles on I 44. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Ava, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Ava, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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