Smithville, MO to O'Fallon, MO is 237.9 miles and takes about 4h 32m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and I-435, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region for both its start and end points. Expect a route with frequent turns, suggesting it's more of a local drive than a straight shot on a major interstate. With a single recommended stop and a total duration under five hours, this journey is easily manageable as a day trip.
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 miles from Smithville, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
142.5 mi
2h 42m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
I 435
21.1 mi
23m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
5.6 mi
6m
US 169
5.4 mi
7m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.9 mi
2m
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi
2m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 142.5 mi, about 2h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Smithville, MO and O'Fallon, MO.
1
Start on this road
67 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto MO DD
0.2 mi·40 sec·West Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 169
5.4 mi·7 min·US 169
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·52 sec
Toward I 435 East: Saint LouisUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 435
21 mi·23 min·I 435
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24
0.3 mi·23 sec·US 24
Exit 63Toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Kansas City, Sports Complex
7
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·1 min
Toward I 70 East: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
469 ft·11 sec
Toward I 70 East: Saint LouisUse the slight left / straight lanes.
32 mi·34 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi·24 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
16
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
17
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
18
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
19
Continue on I 70; US 40
88 mi·1 hr 44 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward MO K: O'FallonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto Drennen Parkway
150 ft·3 sec·Drennen Parkway
Toward MO K: O'Fallon
22
Keep slight right at fork onto Drennen Parkway
166 ft·5 sec·Drennen Parkway
Toward MO K: O'Fallon
23
Turn slight left
62 ft·2 sec
Toward MO K: O'Fallon
24
Continue on South Main Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Main Street
25
Turn right
25 ft·1 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 32m duration and the "turn-heavy local drive" profile, consider starting your trip in the morning to allow ample time for navigation and any unexpected delays. While only one stop is officially recommended, feel free to pull over if you need a break, especially since the longest stretch is over 140 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel, as navigating through various local roads can sometimes be less predictable than consistent highway driving. Planning for the $37 fuel cost is a good baseline, and a flexible departure time will serve you well on this route.
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 119 miles from Smithville, MO, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.5 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 52 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119 miles or 2h 13m 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 O'Fallon, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Smithville, 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 Smithville, MO
This is one driving day of about 237.9 miles and 4h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Smithville, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 142.5 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.6 and 236.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.6 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the exit toward I 435 East: Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 435 East: Saint Louis
7
27.1 mi into trip|~33m in|US 24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24 toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Kansas City, Sports Complex
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 63
Toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Ka...
7
27.3 mi into trip|~33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
7
28.5 mi into trip|~35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
6
236.9 mi into trip|~4h 30m in
Take the exit toward MO K: O'Fallon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward MO K: O'Fallon
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.19 one way
$74.39 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$40.84
$81.67
premium
$4.89
$45.78
$91.56
diesel
$5.61
$52.53
$105.05
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: 83.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.4
0
$24.98
$11.42
Efficient EV
59.5
0
$20.82
$9.52
EV Truck/SUV
95.2
1
$33.31
$15.23
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Smithville, MO
Late night
in Smithville on Sunday
Local time
2:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
O'Fallon, MO
Late night
in O'Fallon on Sunday
Local time
2:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
New Franklin, MO
119 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
1 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 32m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a "turn-heavy local drive," indicating you'll navigate through more varied road types rather than a continuous interstate experience. The highway share is relatively low at 11%, so be prepared for a mix of local roads and some interstate segments. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 142.5 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. This suggests a significant portion of the drive will involve more frequent adjustments and potentially lower average speeds compared to a pure highway journey.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 142.5 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 5.6 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 237.9 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 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.1 miles (US 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Smithville, MO and O'Fallon, MO, road signs point toward Kansas City and Sports Complex.
Kansas City
27.1 mi in|~33m|via US 24
Sports Complex
27.1 mi in|~33m|via US 24
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 32m. Total distance: 237.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 142.5 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. 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 O'Fallon, 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 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.1 miles (US 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at O'Fallon, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
