Traveling from Saint Peters to Caruthersville covers 216.6 miles across the Missouri Midwest, typically taking about 4 hours and 3 minutes of drive time. Because this journey is manageable within a single day, you can easily complete it without an overnight stay. You will navigate via I-270, I-70, and the Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway to reach your destination. Budget approximately $33 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Whether you are heading south for business or a change of scenery, this trip offers a straightforward path through 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
108.3 miles from Saint Peters, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
173.9 mi
3h 6m
I 270
19 mi
23m
I 70
13 mi
16m
MO 84
5.1 mi
9m
Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
1.8 mi
2m
Rosa Parks Highway
1.5 mi
1m
MO 79
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
— 173.9 mi, about 3h 6m
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 Peters, MO and Caruthersville, MO.
1
Start on I 70
1.2 mi·1 min·I 70
2
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 220Toward MO 79: Elsberry, LouisianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
3
Keep slight left at fork
384 ft·14 sec
Toward MO 79
4
Turn left onto MO 79
0.1 mi·11 sec·MO 79
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 70 EastUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 70
12 mi·14 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·12 sec
Exit 232Toward I 270: Chicago, MemphisUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·33 sec
Toward I 270 South: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
9
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·10 sec·this road
Exit 232Toward I 270 South: Memphis
10
Merge onto I 270
19 mi·23 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·27 sec
Exit 1AToward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward I 55 South: Memphis
13
Merge onto I 55
1.5 mi·1 min·Rosa Parks Highway
14
Continue on I 55
1.8 mi·2 min·Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
15
Continue on I 55
174 mi·3 hr 6 min·Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 19Toward MO 84: Hayti, Caruthersville
17
Turn left onto MO 84
5.1 mi·9 min·MO 84
18
Turn right
45 ft·3 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a roughly four-hour drive, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the longest stretch of the journey. Departing early in the morning allows you to avoid peak traffic and reach Caruthersville with plenty of daylight left. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 173.9-mile segment on the Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, as service availability may vary compared to the interstate sections. Taking advantage of the route's flexibility means you can pace yourself comfortably, ensuring you arrive at your destination without unnecessary fatigue.
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 108.3 miles from Saint Peters, MO, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 173.9 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 48 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.3 miles or 2h 3m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Caruthersville, 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 216.6 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway for about 173.9 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 33.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
1.2 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the exit toward MO 79: Elsberry, Louisiana
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 220
Toward MO 79: Elsberry, Louisiana
6
1.3 mi into trip|~1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MO 79
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward MO 79
8
13.6 mi into trip|~17m 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
13.8 mi into trip|~17m 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
8
33.3 mi into trip|~41m in
Take the exit toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road
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 1A
Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.99 one way
$63.97 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$35.31
$70.63
premium
$4.72
$40.22
$80.43
diesel
$4.80
$40.90
$81.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65
0
$22.74
$10.40
Efficient EV
54.2
0
$18.95
$8.66
EV Truck/SUV
86.6
1
$30.32
$13.86
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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 Peters, MO
Late night
in Saint Peters on Sunday
Local time
1:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 9 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:51PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:26PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Caruthersville, MO
Late night
in Caruthersville on Sunday
Local time
1:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
WSW 10 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:51PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:26PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
90°F
Crystal City, MO
108 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
2 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 3m 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.
Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Established by 1750, Ste. Geneviève was the first permanent European settlement in Missouri. Early French Canadian settlers were drawn here by the rich agricultural land known as Le Grand Champ (the B...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 82.2
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
$19
near mile 29.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by a turn-heavy local profile that shifts significantly as you progress. While only 17% of the route consists of highway driving, you will spend the bulk of your time on the Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, which accounts for a 173.9-mile stretch. This transition from interstate travel to more localized roads means the driving experience changes from high-speed transit to a more technical, winding journey. Be prepared to adjust your focus as you move off the main arteries and into the local landscape.
Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 173.9 mi on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway.
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 1.2 miles in.
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 14 significant decision points across 216.6 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 1.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 13.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
642 ft276 ft
Total Climb
633 ft
Total Descent
801 ft
Highest Point
642 ft
~81.2 mi in
Elevation Range
366 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 Peters, MO to Caruthersville, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Memphis
13.6 mi in|~17m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 3m. Total distance: 216.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 173.9 miles on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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 Caruthersville, 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 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 13.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park and Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Caruthersville, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
