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Trip from Shelbina, MO to St. Louis, MO

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 4m

Distance

152 mi

245 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 53m ★
6 AM
3h 4m
8 AM
3h 27m
10 AM
3h 12m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 14m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 57m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Shelbina, MO, MO

Shelbina, MO

Valeria Boltneva

Trip Overview

This 152-mile journey from Shelbina, MO, to St. Louis, MO, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take just over 3 hours. You'll primarily navigate along the Avenue of the Saints, Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, and V.F.W. Memorial Highway, with about 23% of the drive being on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $24. Given its duration and the Midwest region's familiar landscapes, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing for a relaxed pace without the need for an overnight stay.

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

76 miles from Shelbina, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Avenue of the Saints 101.3 mi 2h 1m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway 29.2 mi 33m
V.F.W. Memorial Highway 5.8 mi 6m
Jack Buck Memorial Highway 5.8 mi 7m
Daniel Boone Expressway 5.7 mi 7m
Veterans Road 2.1 mi 3m
Paris Gravel Road 0.5 mi 1m
South 14th Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Avenue of the Saints — 101.3 mi, about 2h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Shelbina, MO and St. Louis, MO.

1

Start on West Chestnut Street

0.1 mi · 38 sec · West Chestnut Street
2

Turn left onto MO 15

0.3 mi · 26 sec · North Center Street
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 17 sec
Toward US 36 East, MO 110 East: Monroe City
4

Merge onto US 36; MO 110

29 mi · 33 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
5

Continue on US 24; US 36; MO 110

5.8 mi · 6 min · V.F.W. Memorial Highway
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward Veterans Road
7

Turn right onto Veterans Road

2.1 mi · 3 min · Veterans Road
8

At end of road, turn left onto County Road 422

279 ft · 6 sec · County Road 422
9

Continue on Paris Gravel Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Paris Gravel Road
10

Take the ramp

120 ft · 3 sec
11

Merge onto US 61

101 mi · 2 hr 1 min · Avenue of the Saints
Use the right lane.
12

Continue on I 64; US 40

5.7 mi · 7 min · Daniel Boone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
13

Continue on I 64; US 40

5.8 mi · 7 min · Jack Buck Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 34 sec
Exit 39A Toward 14th Street Use the slight right lane.
15

Turn left onto South 14th Street

0.3 mi · 42 sec · South 14th Street
Use the left lane.
16

Turn right onto Market Street

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Market Street
17

Arrive at destination

Market Street

Trip Plan

With a total duration of about 3 hours, this 152-mile trip offers flexibility, making it easy to depart at your convenience. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early rush hour and allow for a leisurely pace. You'll have one main stopping point identified, but with a drive this length, you can easily pull over as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach St. Louis; the estimated $24 fuel cost is a good benchmark. A helpful tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the Avenue of the Saints segment, as it constitutes the longest stretch and offers the most consistent driving experience before potential road changes.

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 76 miles from Shelbina, MO, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.3 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 33 miles or 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 76 miles or 1h 31m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 30m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near St. Louis, MO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Shelbina, 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 Shelbina, MO

This is one driving day of about 152 miles and 3h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Shelbina, 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 101.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and county seat of Lincoln County, Missouri, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Troy, MO

76 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Hannibal, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Troy, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 76 miles from Shelbina, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 101.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Mayo Ketchup

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St. Louis, Missouri

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+13146962699

Visit website

Frazer's Restaurant & Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St. Louis, Missouri

2.2 mi

Mayo Ketchup

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

St. Louis, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+13146962699

Visit website

Frazer's Restaurant & Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour Expensive

St. Louis, Missouri

Hours: 5–10 pm

+13147738646

Visit website

Havana's Cuisine Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

St. Louis, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13143125005

Visit website

Sawmill BBQ Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Sauget, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+16183323000

Visit website

Slim Chickens

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

St. Louis, Missouri

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+13149327723

Visit website

EVXY Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Troy, Missouri

+18554382474

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Wentzville, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

EVre Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Bowling Green, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18882226618

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Lake St Louis, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EVXY Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

O'Fallon, Missouri

+18554382474

Visit website

EVXY Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Moscow Mills, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18554382474

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

2.9 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

O'Fallon, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Hannibal, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.2 mi from route

Rest Area

0.3 mi from route

Rest Area

2.2 mi from route

St. Louis Union Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

St. Louis, Missouri

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+13149233960

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 151.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | MO 15 / North Center Street

Turn left onto MO 15 / North Center Street

Navigation decision point

6
0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp toward US 36 East, MO 110 East: Monroe City

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 36 East, MO 110 East: Monroe City
5
38.6 mi into trip | ~47m 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.
7
151.3 mi into trip | ~3h 2m in

Take the exit toward 14th Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 39A Toward 14th Street
5
151.5 mi into trip | ~3h 3m in | South 14th Street

Turn left onto South 14th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.76 one way

$47.53 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 53 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $26.09 $52.18
premium $4.89 $29.25 $58.50
diesel $5.61 $33.56 $67.12

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 53.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 45.6 0 $15.96 $7.30
Efficient EV 38 0 $13.30 $6.08
EV Truck/SUV 60.8 0 $21.28 $9.73

Gas CO2

53 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (66% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Shelbina, MO

Morning in Shelbina on Tuesday

Local time

7:16 AM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

St. Louis, MO

Morning in St. Louis on Tuesday

Local time

7:16 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

68°F

Troy, MO

76 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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 4m 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

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...

0 mi from route ~1 min detour $19 near mile 152
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for much of this 152-mile route, rather than a continuous interstate experience. While 23% of your journey will be on highways, the majority of the drive will involve navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 101.3 miles on the Avenue of the Saints, offering a more consistent pace before you transition back to more varied road conditions. This profile suggests a drive where you'll be actively engaged with changing road types and directions.

Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.3 mi on Avenue of the Saints.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near MO 15 / North Center Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 4m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (MO 15 / North Center Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.6 miles (US 61 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Arriving in St. Louis, MO

Full guide →

The Gateway City of St. Louis is the epitome of the modern Midwestern metropolis. Missouri's second-largest city is vibrant but laid-back, populous but navigable, historic but still relevant. The city's planners have created an aesthetically beautiful city, with plenty of green space amidst buildings both old and new, framed by the majestic Mississippi and Missouri rivers. And capping it all is the world's tallest man-made monument, the beautiful and iconic Gateway Arch. St. Louis is a city of culture and surprisingly inexpensive. Among American cities, only Washington, D.C. has more free attractions for tourists and residents alike. Hotels, restaurants, and even parking garages avoid the premium pricing common in other big cities. Although often overlooked, St. Louis can be an affordable, educational, and fun family getaway.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 152 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (23%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 101.3 miles on Avenue of the Saints. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 5 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.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (MO 15 / North Center Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.6 miles (US 61 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at St. Louis, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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