Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 27m
Distance
239.7 mi
386 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Peters, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Senath, MO
Ansh Rajput
Saint Peters, MO to Senath, MO is 239.7 miles and takes about 4h 27m via Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway and US 412, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest route stays within Missouri, offering a straightforward trip through familiar territory. With a recommended one-day drive, you can expect a relatively quick transit between these two points. The majority of the drive is on surface roads, so plan for a more grounded experience rather than interstate cruising. This trip is best suited for those looking for an efficient way to connect these two Missouri locations without extensive highway time.
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
119.8 miles from Saint Peters, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway | 175.1 mi | 3h 7m |
| US 412 | 26.1 mi | 30m |
| I 270 | 19 mi | 23m |
| I 70 | 13 mi | 16m |
| Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Rosa Parks Highway | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| East Commercial Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| MO 79 | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~6,486 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~540 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Peters, MO and Senath, MO.
Start on I 70
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto MO 79
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 70
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on this road
Merge onto I 270
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 55
Continue on I 55
Continue on I 55
Take the exit
Merge onto US 412
Turn left onto US 412
Enter roundabout onto US 412
Continue on US 412
Take the exit
Turn slight right onto MO P
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Given the 4 hour 27 minute estimated drive time, starting your day after breakfast should allow ample time to reach Senath before evening. The longest continuous stretch is 175.1 miles, so consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, though the total fuel cost is estimated at just $38. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart when it's most convenient. Pay attention to speed limit changes as you move from highway segments onto surface roads, particularly as you enter smaller towns along the way. The profile indicates mostly surface roads, so be prepared for a less hurried pace for a significant portion of your drive.
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.
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 53 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.8 miles or 2h 15m 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 Senath, MO than in the middle of the route.
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 239.7 miles and 4h 27m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
120 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.
A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 119.8 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 Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 175.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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.
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
Keep slight left at fork toward MO 79
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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
Keep slight right at fork toward I 270 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Regular Gas
$37.16 one way
$74.33 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $40.75 | $81.50 |
| premium | $4.93 | $46.51 | $93.01 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $52.84 | $105.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.9 | 0 | $25.17 | $11.51 |
| Efficient EV | 59.9 | 0 | $20.97 | $9.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.9 | 1 | $33.56 | $15.34 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Saint Peters on Wednesday
Local time
6:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Evening in Senath on Wednesday
Local time
6:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Clear
72°F
Crystal City, MO
120 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This route involves a substantial amount of surface road driving, with only 24% of the trip on highways. You'll experience a long stretch of 175.1 miles primarily on the Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway before transitioning to other roads. Expect to encounter frequent intersections and varying speed limits as you navigate through towns and rural areas on the majority of the drive. The initial highway portion will give way to a more local feel as you get closer to your destination.
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.
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 17 significant decision points across 239.7 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 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.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
377 ft
Total Descent
565 ft
Highest Point
608 ft
~102.7 mi in
Elevation Range
353 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Saint Peters, MO and Senath, MO, road signs point toward Memphis and Kennett.
Memphis
Kennett
Founded 1910
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 27m. Total distance: 239.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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