St. Louis, MO to Lamar, MO is 293.3 miles and takes about 5h 28m via Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor, MO 96, and Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region. Expect mostly surface roads, offering a more leisurely pace than a pure interstate trip. It's a straightforward drive, ideal if you prefer seeing more of the local landscape and less of the highway.
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
146.7 miles from St. Louis, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
218.9 mi
3h 58m
MO 96
36 mi
41m
Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
10.5 mi
11m
Purple Heart Trail
9.4 mi
10m
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
— 218.9 mi, about 3h 58m
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 Lamar, 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
219 mi·3 hr 58 min·Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 57Toward MO 96: Avilla
10
Turn straight onto MO 96
36 mi·41 min·MO 96
11
Turn right onto MO V
0.8 mi·1 min·East Java Street
12
Continue on MO V
0.2 mi·24 sec·East Northwoods Street
13
At end of road, turn right onto MO V
0.6 mi·54 sec·North Garrison Avenue
14
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·26 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City
15
Continue on I 49; US 71
10 mi·11 min·Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
16
Continue on I 49; US 71
9.4 mi·10 min·Purple Heart Trail
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 77Toward US 160: Mindenmines, Lamar
18
Turn right onto US 160
1.3 mi·2 min·US 160
19
Turn left onto Broadway Street
436 ft·17 sec·Broadway Street
20
Turn left onto 11th Street West
198 ft·7 sec·11th Street West
21
Turn right
134 ft·9 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 28m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning from St. Louis will allow you to reach Lamar comfortably within daylight hours. Since this is a single-day trip and mostly surface roads, you can be flexible with stops. Plan to refuel before you leave St. Louis, as the longest stretch without a major highway change is over 200 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get further into the rural sections of MO 96.
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 146.7 miles from St. Louis, MO, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 218.9 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 65 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.7 miles or 2h 44m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lamar, 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 293.3 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 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 218.9 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 233.3 and 293.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
233.3 mi into trip|~4h 18m in
Take the exit toward MO 96: Avilla
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 57
Toward MO 96: Avilla
4
270.8 mi into trip|~5h 3m in|MO V / North Garrison Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto MO V / North Garrison Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
271.4 mi into trip|~5h 4m in
Take the ramp toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City
6
291.8 mi into trip|~5h 25m in
Take the exit toward US 160: Mindenmines, Lamar
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 77
Toward US 160: Mindenmines, Lamar
5
293.3 mi into trip|~5h 28m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.76 one way
$97.53 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$53.12
$106.23
premium
$5.18
$59.85
$119.70
diesel
$5.35
$61.78
$123.56
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88
1
$30.80
$14.08
Efficient EV
73.3
0
$25.66
$11.73
EV Truck/SUV
117.3
1
$41.06
$18.77
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% 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
Lamar, MO
Afternoon
in Lamar on Wednesday
Local time
2:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 7 mph38% 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
3 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 28m 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...
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
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 222.5
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 273.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on surface roads, with only 13% on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 218.9 miles on the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor, which is a good indicator of the rural cruising you'll encounter. After the highway portion concludes, expect a more relaxed pace with fewer exits and more direct routes through towns.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 218.9 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 233.3 miles in.
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 28m 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 233.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 270.8 miles (MO V / North Garrison Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 271.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,375 ft464 ft
Total Climb
1,325 ft
Total Descent
829 ft
Highest Point
1,375 ft
~188.6 mi in
Elevation Range
911 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 218.9 miles on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 233.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 270.8 miles (MO V / North Garrison Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 271.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park, Wilson's Creek National Battlefield and George Washington Carver National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lamar, MO before the return drive.
