Origin
St. Louis, MO
Night in St. Louis on Saturday
Local time
11:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from St. Louis, MO to Ashland, MO
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 43m
Distance
135.4 mi
218 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 33m
★
6 AM
2h 43m
8 AM
3h 5m
10 AM
2h 51m
12 PM
2h 49m
3 PM
2h 52m
5 PM
3h 4m
8 PM
2h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ashland, MO
Valeria Boltneva
Trip Overview
This 135.4-mile journey from St. Louis to Ashland, Missouri, will take approximately 2 hours and 43 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Avenue of the Saints, and US 63, this route is best suited as a single-day trip. With a fuel cost estimated at $21, it's an economical option for exploring the Midwest. The drive offers a blend of highway and local road experiences, making it a manageable and straightforward excursion for a day trip.
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
67.7 miles from St. Louis, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D Eisenhower Highway | 80.7 mi | 1h 35m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 27.8 mi | 33m |
| US 63 | 13.1 mi | 14m |
| Daniel Boone Expressway | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| Jack Buck Memorial Highway | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Market Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| US 40 | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Broadway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between St. Louis, MO and Ashland, MO.
1
Start on Market Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Market Street
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West: Wentzville
3
Merge onto I 64; US 40
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Jack Buck Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on I 64; US 40
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Daniel Boone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on I 64; US 40; US 61
28 mi
·
33 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit onto US 40
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 40
Exit 1A
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 128A
Toward US 63: Jefferson City, Moberly
9
Turn left onto US 63 Conn
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
US 63 Conn
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward US 63 South: Jefferson City
Use the straight lane.
11
Merge onto US 63
13 mi
·
14 min
·
US 63
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
13
Enter roundabout onto East Broadway
46 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Broadway
14
Continue on East Broadway
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
East Broadway
15
Enter roundabout onto MO Y
264 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Broadway
16
Continue on MO Y
33 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Broadway
17
Arrive at destination
MO Y
Trip Plan
For this 135.4-mile trip, leaving St. Louis in the morning will allow you ample time to reach Ashland without feeling rushed. Since it's a single-day drive with a projected duration of under 3 hours, you have flexibility with stops; consider planning one stop to break up the 80.7-mile longest stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $21, and be prepared for the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, which may require more active navigation. Enjoy the straightforward drive through Missouri.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.7 miles from St. Louis, MO, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.7 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 30 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.7 miles or 1h 23m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ashland, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving St. Louis, 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 St. Louis, MO
This is one driving day of about 135.4 miles and 2h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from St. Louis, 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 80.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
68 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 67.7 miles from St. Louis, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 121.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 64; US 40 / Jack Buck Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 64; US 40 / Jack Buck Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
39.7 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
US 40
Take the exit onto US 40 toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
6
121 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward US 63: Jefferson City, Moberly
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 128A
Toward US 63: Jefferson City, Moberly
6
121.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
|
US 63 Conn
Turn left onto US 63 Conn
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
121.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward US 63 South: Jefferson City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 63 South: Jefferson City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.17 one way
$42.34 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $23.24 | $46.48 |
| premium | $4.89 | $26.06 | $52.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.89 | $59.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.6 | 0 | $14.22 | $6.50 |
| Efficient EV | 33.9 | 0 | $11.85 | $5.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.2 | 0 | $18.96 | $8.67 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Ashland, MO
Night in Ashland on Saturday
Local time
11:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 43m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' with only 14% of the route on highways. While you'll experience an 80.7-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, the overall character is more about navigating through local roads. This means you'll encounter more frequent turns and potentially slower speeds compared to a pure interstate drive. The road's personality shifts between faster highway sections and more intricate local routes, requiring your attention throughout the 2-hour and 43-minute journey.
Only 14% 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: 80.7 mi on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near I 64; US 40 / Jack Buck Memorial Highway.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 135.4 miles you will encounter 11 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 1.9 miles (I 64; US 40 / Jack Buck Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.7 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 St. Louis, MO to Ashland, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Moberly along the way.
Moberly
121 mi in
|
~2h 26m
About the Cities
Starting 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 2h 43m. Total distance: 135.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.7 miles on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Ashland, 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 1.9 miles (I 64; US 40 / Jack Buck Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.7 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Ashland, MO before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Ashland, MO
More trips to Ashland, MO
Explore more options from St. Louis, MO or browse trips ending in Ashland, MO.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.