St. Louis to Macon is 178.9 miles and takes about 3h 32m via Dwight D Eisenhower Highway and US 63, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Expect a mix of highway driving and surface roads as you head north. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing for a relaxed pace.
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
89.4 miles from St. Louis, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
80.7 mi
1h 35m
US 63
55.6 mi
1h
Avenue of the Saints
27.8 mi
33m
Daniel Boone Expressway
5.7 mi
7m
Jack Buck Memorial Highway
4.3 mi
5m
Market Street
1.6 mi
3m
South Rollins Street
1.3 mi
3m
US 63 Conn
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,340 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,883
Quietest
1 AM
~235 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10×
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 Macon, 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 1AToward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas CityUse 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·22 sec
Exit 128AToward US 63: Jefferson City, Moberly
9
Turn right
174 ft·3 sec
Toward US 63 North: Moberly
10
Merge onto US 63 Conn
0.6 mi·1 min·US 63 Conn
Use the straight lane.
11
Merge onto US 63
56 mi·1 hr·US 63
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn left onto South Rollins Street
1.3 mi·3 min·South Rollins Street
13
At end of road, turn right onto East Washington Street
154 ft·11 sec·East Washington Street
14
Turn left onto Walker Street
157 ft·6 sec·Walker Street
15
Arrive at destination
Walker Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 32m estimated drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day, leaving ample flexibility for departure time. Consider starting your drive in the morning to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can decide to make that pause when it feels most convenient, perhaps midway or when you need a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto longer stretches of US 63 where services might be more spread out. The $28 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but it's always wise to budget slightly more for unexpected detours or variations in gas prices.
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 89.4 miles from St. Louis, MO, or about 1h 49m 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 39 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.4 miles or 1h 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 2h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Macon, 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 178.9 miles and 3h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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.
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 1.9 and 121.8 — 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
Merge onto US 63 Conn
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
121.8 mi into trip|~2h 27m in|US 63
Merge onto US 63
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.74 one way
$59.49 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$32.40
$64.80
premium
$5.18
$36.51
$73.01
diesel
$5.35
$37.68
$75.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.7
0
$18.78
$8.59
Efficient EV
44.7
0
$15.65
$7.16
EV Truck/SUV
71.6
0
$25.05
$11.45
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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 May 30, 2026
Origin
St. Louis, MO
Afternoon
in St. Louis on Wednesday
Local time
4:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
E 5 to 8 mph39% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued May 30 at 4:39PM CDT until May 30 at 5:00PM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 30 at 3:55PM CDT until June 1 at 10:36PM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Destination
Macon, MO
Afternoon
in Macon on Wednesday
Local time
4:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 10 mph35% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued May 30 at 4:39PM CDT until May 30 at 5:00PM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 30 at 3:55PM CDT until June 1 at 10:36PM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
68°F
Saint Paul, MO
89 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
4 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
3h 32m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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?
This drive features 35% highway, meaning you'll spend a significant portion on surface roads. Your longest stretch of continuous highway driving will be 80.7 miles on the Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. You'll transition from highway cruising to surface roads where the exits become less frequent and the speed may decrease. Expect a mixed driving experience with periods of faster travel interspersed with more local road conditions.
35% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
15 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
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 Effort6/10
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 178.9 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
894 ft464 ft
Total Climb
866 ft
Total Descent
463 ft
Highest Point
894 ft
~63.9 mi in
Elevation Range
430 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 Macon, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Moberly 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
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 32m. Total distance: 178.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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.
Yes — we found about 18 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.
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 Macon, 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. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Macon, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
