Saint Peters, MO to Monett, MO is 257.2 miles and takes about 5h 12m via I 44 and US 60, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, beginning in the Midwest region and ending in the same area. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on major highways, making it a practical choice for a single day's travel. Expect a consistent pace with minimal complexity, ideal if you're looking for an uncomplicated route between these two points.
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
128.6 miles from Saint Peters, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 44
182.8 mi
3h 17m
US 60
27.3 mi
40m
MO 100
13.3 mi
18m
MO K
6.5 mi
11m
MO 109
4.7 mi
7m
MO B
3.9 mi
6m
Avenue of the Saints
3.7 mi
4m
I 70
3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 44
— 182.8 mi, about 3h 17m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,432 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,709
Quietest
2 AM
~177 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.1×
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 Monett, 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
183 mi·3 hr 17 min·I 44; US 50
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 70Toward MO MM, MO B
24
Turn left onto MO B; MO MM
3.9 mi·6 min·MO B; MO MM
25
Continue on this road
314 ft·11 sec·this road
26
Turn straight onto US 60; MO 413
9.0 mi·13 min·US 60; MO 413
27
Continue on US 60; MO 14; MO 413
1.2 mi·1 min·Southwest Elm Street
28
Continue on US 60; MO 413
5.3 mi·7 min·US 60; MO 413
29
Continue on US 60; MO 265
13 mi·19 min·US 60; MO 265
30
Turn right onto US 60 Business
3.0 mi·5 min·Farm Road 2240
31
Continue on US 60 Business
1.9 mi·3 min·East Cleveland Avenue
32
Arrive at destination
West Cleveland Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 12m estimated drive time, leaving Saint Peters in the morning should allow you to reach Monett comfortably within daylight hours. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, you have flexibility in pacing. The fuel cost is estimated at $45, so ensure you have enough fuel before embarking, especially considering the 182.8-mile stretch on I 44 where services might be less frequent than in more urban areas. Plan your refueling stops accordingly to avoid any issues.
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 128.6 miles from Saint Peters, MO, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.8 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 57 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.6 miles or 2h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monett, 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 257.2 miles and 5h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 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 182.8 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 219.7 — 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
219.7 mi into trip|~4h 14m in
Take the exit toward MO MM, MO B
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 70
Toward MO MM, MO B
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.98 one way
$75.97 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$41.93
$83.86
premium
$4.72
$47.75
$95.51
diesel
$4.80
$48.56
$97.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.2
0
$27.01
$12.35
Efficient EV
64.3
0
$22.51
$10.29
EV Truck/SUV
102.9
1
$36.01
$16.46
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 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
5:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Monett, MO
Late night
in Monett on Sunday
Local time
5:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Partly Cloudy
S 6 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
89°F
Cuba, MO
129 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
4 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
5h 12m 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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 221.7
The young child known as the "Plant Doctor" tended his secret garden while observing the day-to-day operations of a 19th century farm. Nature and nurture ultimately influenced George on his quest for...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 257.2
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
$19
near mile 17.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 90% of this 257.2-mile drive on highways, primarily I 44. The longest continuous stretch on a major highway is 182.8 miles on I 44, so expect extended periods of highway cruising before transitioning to US 60 and MO 100. The latter part of the route will feature more frequent exits and potentially slower speeds as you move from interstate to US highways.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 182.8 mi on I 44.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 44 and US 60. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 257.2 miles you will encounter 19 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 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,475 ft443 ft
Total Climb
1,545 ft
Total Descent
634 ft
Highest Point
1,475 ft
~202.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,032 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 Monett, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Mo B along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 12m. Total distance: 257.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 182.8 miles on I 44. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 21 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 Monett, 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 21 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, George Washington Carver National Monument and Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Monett, MO before the return drive.
