Saint Peters to Mountain Grove is 180.1 miles and takes about 3h 46m via I 44 and MO 100, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, beginning in the St. Louis metro area and heading southwest through Missouri. You'll experience a mixed drive, transitioning from interstate speeds to more local roads as you approach your destination. Given the relatively short duration, it’s a manageable single-day journey, perfect for a weekend getaway or a quick transit between these two points. Plan for a straightforward drive with minimal complications.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
90.1 miles from Saint Peters, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 44
67.3 mi
1h 12m
North Bishop Avenue
64.3 mi
1h 20m
MO 100
13.3 mi
18m
MO K
6.5 mi
11m
US 60
5.1 mi
5m
US 60 Business
5 mi
7m
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 Mountain Grove, 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
67 mi·1 hr 12 min·I 44; US 50
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 185Toward 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
5.1 mi·5 min·US 60
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward US 60 Business, MO MM: Mountain Grove
35
Turn left onto US 60 Business
4.3 mi·6 min·US 60 Business
36
Turn left onto MO 95
102 ft·2 sec·North Main Street
37
Arrive at destination
MO 95
Trip Plan
For this 3h 46m drive, leaving Saint Peters in the morning is ideal, allowing you to arrive in Mountain Grove with plenty of daylight. With only one stop recommended, you can choose to make it a quick fuel and stretch break or a more leisurely meal. The fuel cost is estimated at $28, so ensure your tank is sufficiently full before departing to avoid needing frequent top-ups. Pay attention to your GPS as you transition off I 44 onto MO 100; this is where the road character changes, and it's easy to miss the turn if you're not focused.
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 90.1 miles from Saint Peters, MO, or about 1h 53m 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 40 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.1 miles or 1h 53m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mountain Grove, 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 180.1 miles and 3h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 170.3 — 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
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.16 one way
$56.31 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.91
$61.83
premium
$4.89
$34.66
$69.32
diesel
$5.61
$39.76
$79.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54
0
$18.91
$8.64
Efficient EV
45
0
$15.76
$7.20
EV Truck/SUV
72
0
$25.21
$11.53
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Saint Peters, MO
Night
in Saint Peters on Saturday
Local time
11:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Mountain Grove, MO
Night
in Mountain Grove on Saturday
Local time
11:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Washington, MO
90 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
5 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
3h 46m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
$19
near mile 18.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is a mixed bag, with 55% of your journey on highways. You'll spend a significant portion on I 44, including a longest stretch of 67.3 miles without needing to exit. After leaving the interstate, you'll navigate through local roads like North Bishop Avenue and MO 100, offering a change of pace. Expect the character of the drive to shift from efficient interstate travel to a more community-oriented feel as you get closer to Mountain Grove. The transition should be noticeable and break up any potential monotony.
55% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
37 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?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3 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 27 significant decision points across 180.1 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.
On the drive from Saint Peters, MO to Mountain Grove, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Mo E: Rolla along the way.
Mo E: Rolla
104.2 mi in|~2h 9m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 46m. Total distance: 180.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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 Mountain Grove, 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 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Mountain Grove, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
