Saint Peters, MO to Hollister, MO is 252.7 miles and takes about 4h 57m via I 44 and MO 100, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, moving from the Midwest region toward the Ozarks. Expect a mostly highway experience, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. The relatively short distance and efficient route mean you can get on the road later in the morning and still arrive comfortably before evening.
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
126.3 miles from Saint Peters, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 44
170.7 mi
3h 3m
American Legion Memorial Highway
18.4 mi
21m
MO 100
13.3 mi
18m
US Highway 65
12 mi
13m
Schoolcraft Freeway
11 mi
13m
MO K
6.5 mi
11m
MO 109
4.7 mi
7m
Avenue of the Saints
3.7 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 170.7 mi, about 3h 3m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,442 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,784
Quietest
2 AM
~180 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
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 Peters, MO and Hollister, 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 218Toward MO K: O'Fallon, Main StreetUse 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 SouthUse 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 14Toward Chesterfield Airport RoadUse 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
171 mi·3 hr 3 min·I 44; US 50
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Exit 82AToward US 65 South: Branson
24
Merge onto US 65
11 mi·13 min·Schoolcraft Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on US 65
11 mi·12 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
26
Continue on US 65
12 mi·13 min·US Highway 65
27
Continue on US 65
7.5 mi·8 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward MO 248, CR 165, Red Route
29
Keep slight left at fork
260 ft·6 sec
Toward Red Route East
30
Turn straight onto Red Route
0.6 mi·1 min·Branson Landing Boulevard
31
Enter roundabout onto Red Route
154 ft·4 sec·Veterans Boulevard
32
Continue on Red Route
0.4 mi·51 sec·Veterans Boulevard
33
Continue on US 65 Bus; MO 76
1.9 mi·4 min·South Business 65
34
Turn right onto Esplanade Drive
385 ft·19 sec·Esplanade Drive
35
Turn right onto Old Mill Road
392 ft·17 sec·Old Mill Road
36
Arrive at destination
Old Mill Road
Trip Plan
For this single-day trip, leaving Saint Peters by mid-morning should give you ample time. The 4-hour and 57-minute drive allows for a stop or two without significantly delaying your arrival. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without services is over 170 miles on I 44. It's a good idea to top off your tank before heading out or at the last major exit on the interstate. The flexibility of a shorter drive means you can adjust your departure time based on traffic or your schedule.
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 126.3 miles from Saint Peters, MO, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 170.7 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 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.3 miles or 2h 32m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hollister, 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 252.7 miles and 4h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 170.7 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 249.5 — 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
5
23.1 mi into trip|~37m in
Enter roundabout toward MO 100 West: Gray Summit
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward MO 100 West: Gray Summit
6
249.5 mi into trip|~4h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Red Route East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Red Route East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.18 one way
$78.36 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$42.96
$85.92
premium
$4.93
$49.03
$98.06
diesel
$5.60
$55.70
$111.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.8
0
$26.53
$12.13
Efficient EV
63.2
0
$22.11
$10.11
EV Truck/SUV
101.1
1
$35.38
$16.17
Gas CO2
88 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 Aug 16, 2026
Origin
Saint Peters, MO
Late night
in Saint Peters on Friday
Local time
4:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 2 to 7 mph36% chanceLive forecast
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued August 16 at 5:47AM CDT until August 16 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued August 16 at 2:24AM CDT until August 16 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
Destination
Hollister, MO
Late night
in Hollister on Friday
Local time
4:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
101°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 3 to 8 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued August 16 at 5:47AM CDT until August 16 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued August 16 at 2:24AM CDT until August 16 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
73°F
Cuba, MO
126 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
9 degrees warmer 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...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 217.8
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
$19
near mile 17.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 85% of the 252.7 miles on major roads like I 44. You'll experience a long stretch of 170.7 miles on I 44 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a noticeable increase in exits and local traffic as you get closer to your destination, particularly on the American Legion Memorial Highway and MO 100.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 170.7 mi on I 44.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and American Legion Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 252.7 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 57m. Total distance: 252.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 170.7 miles on I 44. 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 Hollister, 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 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 — 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 Hollister, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
