Saint Peters, MO to Unionville, MO is 225.6 miles and takes about 4h 35m via Avenue of the Saints, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. The route offers a mixed driving experience, suitable for a single-day trip. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward drive connecting two points in Missouri without extensive planning.
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
112.8 miles from Saint Peters, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
73.3 mi
1h 26m
North Missouri Street
54.4 mi
1h 4m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
52.9 mi
1h 1m
US 136
24.5 mi
36m
I 70
11.1 mi
13m
V.F.W. Memorial Highway
5.8 mi
6m
Veterans Road
2.2 mi
3m
Paris Gravel Road
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 73.3 mi, about 1h 26m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~3,147 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,671
Quietest
1 AM
~263 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Unionville, MO.
1
Start on I 70
11 mi·13 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
2
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 210BToward US 61 North: HannibalUse the slight right lane.
3
Merge onto US 61
73 mi·1 hr 26 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the right lane.
4
Take the exit
249 ft·14 sec
5
Turn left onto Paris Gravel Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Paris Gravel Road
6
Keep slight right at fork onto County Road 422
279 ft·8 sec·County Road 422
7
Turn right onto Veterans Road
2.2 mi·3 min·Veterans Road
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·16 sec
Toward US 36 West, MO 110 West: Monroe City
9
Merge onto US 36; MO 110
5.8 mi·6 min·V.F.W. Memorial Highway
10
Continue on US 24; US 36; MO 110
53 mi·1 hr 1 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward US 63: Macon, Kirksville
12
Turn right onto US 63
54 mi·1 hr 4 min·North Missouri Street
13
Turn left onto US 136
24 mi·36 min·US 136
14
Arrive at destination
US 136
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 35m drive time, starting in the morning from Saint Peters will allow you to reach Unionville comfortably within daylight hours. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to pause. The fuel cost is estimated at $35, so plan accordingly before you depart. Pay attention to the transition from highway to surface roads, as this often signals a change in speed limits and traffic patterns, which is particularly relevant around the longest stretch of 73.3 miles on Avenue of the Saints.
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 112.8 miles from Saint Peters, MO, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.3 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 50 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.8 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Unionville, 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 225.6 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 73.3 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.1 and 146.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
11.1 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward US 61 North: Hannibal
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 210B
Toward US 61 North: Hannibal
5
11.5 mi into trip|~14m in|US 61 / Avenue of the Saints
Merge onto US 61 / Avenue of the Saints
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
4
84.8 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|Paris Gravel Road
Turn left onto Paris Gravel Road
Navigation decision point
6
87.6 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Take the ramp toward US 36 West, MO 110 West: Monroe City
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 36 West, MO 110 West: Monroe City
5
146.6 mi into trip|~2h 54m in
Take the exit toward US 63: Macon, Kirksville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 63: Macon, Kirksville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.63 one way
$75.27 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$40.90
$81.80
premium
$5.26
$46.71
$93.42
diesel
$6.18
$54.88
$109.76
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: 78.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
EV Charging Along Route
6 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: good
ChargePoint Charging Station
St Peters, Missouri
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
EVgo Charging Station
Wentzville, Missouri
EVgo
1 DCFC
Francis Energy Charging Station
Macon, Missouri
Other
1 DCFC
EVgo Charging Station
O'Fallon, Missouri
EVgo
1 DCFC
EV Gateway Charging Station
Cottleville, Missouri
Other
1 DCFC
EvGateway Charging Station
Cottleville, Missouri
Other
1 DCFC
Other: 3
EVgo: 2
ChargePoint: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.7
0
$23.69
$10.83
Efficient EV
56.4
0
$19.74
$9.02
EV Truck/SUV
90.2
1
$31.58
$14.44
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Saint Peters, MO
Morning
in Saint Peters on Monday
Local time
7:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Clear
SE 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Unionville, MO
Morning
in Unionville on Monday
Local time
7:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Mostly Clear
S 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
79°F
Independence, IL
113 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
3 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 35m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 39% of this 225.6-mile route is on highways, meaning you'll spend a good portion of the drive on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a main road is 73.3 miles on the Avenue of the Saints. You'll transition from highway cruising to more rural navigation as the route progresses. Expect to notice a change in road types and surrounding scenery as you move between the highway segments and the surface roads.
39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.3 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 11.1 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 225.6 miles you will encounter 12 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 11.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.5 miles (US 61 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.8 miles (Paris Gravel Road): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,062 ft443 ft
Total Climb
905 ft
Total Descent
287 ft
Highest Point
1,062 ft
~225.6 mi in
Elevation Range
618 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 Unionville, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Kirksville along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 35m. Total distance: 225.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.3 miles on Avenue of the Saints. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 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 Unionville, 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 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.5 miles (US 61 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.8 miles (Paris Gravel Road): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Unionville, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
