This 214.2-mile journey from St. Louis to Ava, Missouri, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 4 hours and 17 minutes. You'll navigate primarily on South Jefferson Avenue and I-44 West, transitioning to Officer David Haynes Memorial Highway. With a fuel cost estimated at $33, this trip offers a straightforward Midwest to Midwest passage. The route is characterized by frequent turns, suggesting a more local, less highway-intensive experience. Given its manageable duration, it’s an ideal candidate for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
107.1 miles from St. Louis, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
91.3 mi
1h 40m
North Bishop Avenue
64.3 mi
1h 20m
US 60
28.4 mi
32m
US 60 Business
11.4 mi
16m
Police Officer Ernest M. Brockman Sr. Memorial Highway
3.5 mi
4m
Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway
3.5 mi
4m
Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
2.7 mi
3m
Officer David Haynes Memorial Highway
2.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
— 91.3 mi, about 1h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between St. Louis, MO and Ava, MO.
1
Start on Market Street
1.0 mi·2 min·Market Street
2
Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·South Jefferson Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 44 West
4
Merge onto I 44
2.3 mi·3 min·Officer David Haynes Memorial Highway
5
Continue on I 44
3.5 mi·4 min·Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway
6
Continue on I 44
2.7 mi·3 min·Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
7
Continue on I 44
3.5 mi·4 min·Police Officer Ernest M. Brockman Sr. Memorial Highway
8
Continue on I 44; US 50
91 mi·1 hr 40 min·Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 185Toward MO E: Rolla
10
Enter roundabout onto MO E
294 ft·5 sec·Tim Bradley Way
11
Continue on MO E
0.4 mi·48 sec·Tim Bradley Way
Use the left lane.
12
Turn slight right onto I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63
30 ft·0 sec·North Bishop Avenue
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63
145 ft·2 sec·North Bishop Avenue
14
Continue on I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63
64 mi·1 hr 20 min·North Bishop Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Turn right onto US 60 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·US 60 Business
Use the right lane.
16
Turn left onto MO 181
0.2 mi·20 sec·South Elm Street
17
Continue on MO 181
0.3 mi·36 sec·Peabody Avenue
18
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward US 60 West: Mountain Grove
19
Merge onto US 60
28 mi·32 min·US 60
20
Take the exit onto MO 5
0.2 mi·30 sec·MO 5
Toward US 60 BUS, MO 5 South, MO EE: Mansfield, AvaUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn left onto US 60 Business; MO 5
11 mi·15 min·US 60 Business; MO 5
22
Continue on MO 5; MO 76
1.7 mi·2 min·MO 5; MO 76
23
Turn left onto MO 14; MO 5 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·Springfield Road
24
Enter roundabout onto North Jefferson Street
17 ft·0 sec·North Jefferson Street
25
Continue on North Jefferson Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North Jefferson Street
26
Arrive at destination
MO 5 Business
Trip Plan
For this 214.2-mile drive, consider an early morning departure from St. Louis to maximize your daylight hours and take advantage of the 4h 17m estimated duration. With a fuel cost around $33, it's a budget-friendly trip. Since it's a turn-heavy route, pay close attention to your GPS and be ready for adjustments. Plan for one stop along the way to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. The flexibility of this drive means you can adjust your pace, but keeping an eye on local road conditions, especially if traveling during inclement weather, is advisable.
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 107.1 miles from St. Louis, MO, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.3 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 47 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.1 miles or 2h 2m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ava, 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 214.2 miles and 4h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor for about 91.3 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 105.7 and 200.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
105.7 mi into trip|~2h in
Take the exit toward MO E: Rolla
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 185
Toward MO E: Rolla
5
105.9 mi into trip|~2h in|MO E / Tim Bradley Way
Enter roundabout onto MO E / Tim Bradley Way
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
106.3 mi into trip|~2h 1m in|I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63 / North Bishop Avenue
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63 / North Bishop Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
171.8 mi into trip|~3h 23m in
Take the ramp toward US 60 West: Mountain Grove
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward US 60 West: Mountain Grove
7
200.3 mi into trip|~3h 57m in|MO 5
Take the exit onto MO 5 toward US 60 BUS, MO 5 South, MO EE: Mansfield, Ava
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 60 BUS, MO 5 South, MO EE: Mansfield,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.49 one way
$66.98 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$36.77
$73.54
premium
$4.89
$41.22
$82.44
diesel
$5.61
$47.29
$94.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.3
0
$22.49
$10.28
Efficient EV
53.6
0
$18.74
$8.57
EV Truck/SUV
85.7
1
$29.99
$13.71
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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 15, 2026
Origin
St. Louis, MO
Late night
in St. Louis on Sunday
Local time
2:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ava, MO
Late night
in Ava on Sunday
Local time
2:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Washington, MO
107 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
20 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
4h 17m 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?
Expect a drive with a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you won't be on the interstate for the entire 4 hours and 17 minutes. While there's some highway involvement, the 0% highway share statistic indicates this isn't a typical interstate cruise. Instead, be prepared for a route that involves more frequent turns and potentially slower local roads as you progress. The absence of a specified longest uninterrupted stretch further suggests a route that breaks up the driving with navigational changes, making it feel more engaging and less monotonous than a long highway slog.
Only 19% 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: 91.3 mi on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 105.7 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
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 214.2 miles you will encounter 15 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 105.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 105.9 miles (MO E / Tim Bradley Way): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 106.3 miles (I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63 / North Bishop Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between St. Louis, MO and Ava, MO, road signs point toward Mo E: Rolla and Mo Ee: Mansfield.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 17m. Total distance: 214.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (19%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.3 miles on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor. 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.
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 105.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 105.9 miles (MO E / Tim Bradley Way): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 106.3 miles (I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63 / North Bishop Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Ava, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
