St. Louis to Goodman is 304.6 miles and takes about 5h 38m via Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor and I 49, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Midwest region of Missouri to another part of the Midwest, also within Missouri. The profile indicates that most of this route is on surface roads, so expect a more leisurely pace than a pure interstate trip. With a recommended one-day drive, this route is manageable for a single day if you get an early start.
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
152.3 miles from St. Louis, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
264.9 mi
4h 47m
I 49
23.1 mi
25m
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
South Jefferson Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
Market Street
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
— 264.9 mi, about 4h 47m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,417 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,956
Quietest
2 AM
~186 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 St. Louis, MO and Goodman, 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
265 mi·4 hr 47 min·Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto I 49; US 71
0.3 mi·24 sec·I 49; US 71
Exit 11Toward I 49 South, US 71 South, MO 249 North: Neosho, Fort Smith
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 49; US 71
23 mi·24 min·I 49; US 71
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Neosho, Fort Smith
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 17Toward MO C, MO B: Goodman
12
Turn left onto MO B; MO C
0.6 mi·47 sec·MO B; MO C
13
At end of road, turn right onto MO 59; MO C
0.2 mi·23 sec·MO 59; MO C
14
Turn sharp left onto MO C
0.5 mi·1 min·Splitlog Avenue
15
Turn left onto MO C
0.1 mi·16 sec·South School Street
16
Turn slight right onto MO C
0.3 mi·51 sec·Main Street
17
Turn left onto North Ozark Trail
0.2 mi·42 sec·North Ozark Trail
18
Turn slight right onto Barnes Street
365 ft·16 sec·Barnes Street
19
Arrive at destination
North Wade Street
Trip Plan
Plan to depart from St. Louis in the morning to make the most of the daylight, especially since much of this drive is on surface roads. The total duration is under six hours, so a single day is feasible, but consider an early start. Your fuel cost is estimated at $54, so ensure your tank is full before leaving St. Louis. Be aware that the longest stretch is on the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor, so plan your stops accordingly, as there's only one recommended stop along the way.
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 152.3 miles from St. Louis, MO, or about 2h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 264.9 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 67 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.3 miles or 2h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Goodman, 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 304.6 miles and 5h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 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 264.9 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 279.3 and 303.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
279.3 mi into trip|~5h 7m in|I 49; US 71
Take the exit onto I 49; US 71 toward I 49 South, US 71 South, MO 249 North: Neosho, Fort Smith
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 11
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South, MO 249 North: N...
6
279.6 mi into trip|~5h 8m in|I 49; US 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 49; US 71 toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Neosho, Fort Smith
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Neosho, Fort Sm...
6
302.4 mi into trip|~5h 33m in
Take the exit toward MO C, MO B: Goodman
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 17
Toward MO C, MO B: Goodman
5
303.2 mi into trip|~5h 34m in|MO 59; MO C
At end of road, turn right onto MO 59; MO C
Navigation decision point
5
303.4 mi into trip|~5h 34m in|MO C / Splitlog Avenue
Turn sharp left onto MO C / Splitlog Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.64 one way
$101.29 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$55.16
$110.33
premium
$5.18
$62.16
$124.31
diesel
$5.35
$64.16
$128.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.4
1
$31.98
$14.62
Efficient EV
76.2
0
$26.65
$12.18
EV Truck/SUV
121.8
1
$42.64
$19.49
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
St. Louis, MO
Afternoon
in St. Louis on Wednesday
Local time
2:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
S 2 mph68% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:06AM CDT until June 1 at 4:45AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:04AM CDT until June 1 at 4:30AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Goodman, MO
Afternoon
in Goodman on Wednesday
Local time
2:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 6 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:06AM CDT until June 1 at 4:45AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:04AM CDT until June 1 at 4:30AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
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
6 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
5h 38m 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...
The young child known as the "Plant Doctor" tended his secret garden while observing the day-to-day operations of a 19th century farm. Nature and nurture ultimately influenced George on his quest for...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 283.6
Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 220.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly surface roads, with only 8% on highways. You'll encounter the longest stretch, 264.9 miles, on the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor. After that, you'll transition to I 49 and the Police Officer Ernest M. Brockman Sr. Memorial Highway. Expect more frequent intersections and slower speeds once you leave the limited-access highways.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 264.9 mi on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
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 279.3 miles in near I 49; US 71.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 38m 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 279.3 miles (I 49; US 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 279.6 miles (I 49; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 302.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,393 ft464 ft
Total Climb
1,539 ft
Total Descent
752 ft
Highest Point
1,393 ft
~195.8 mi in
Elevation Range
930 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 St. Louis, MO to Goodman, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Smith along the way.
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.
Top landmarks
•Gateway Arch — monument in St. Louis, Missouri
•Missouri Botanical Garden — non-profit organization in the USA
•Gateway Arch National Park — American National Park in St. Louis, Missouri
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 264.9 miles on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 32 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.
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 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 279.3 miles (I 49; US 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 279.6 miles (I 49; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 302.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park, George Washington Carver National Monument and Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Goodman, MO before the return drive.
