St. Louis to Willard is 222.2 miles and takes about 4 hours 9 minutes via Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor and US 160, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Missouri, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a route that primarily uses surface roads, so expect a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate trip. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short drive time, this trip is well-suited for a single day, allowing plenty of flexibility for departure and arrival times.
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
111.1 miles from St. Louis, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
201.4 mi
3h 39m
US 160
5.4 mi
7m
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
— 201.4 mi, about 3h 39m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,437 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,103
Quietest
2 AM
~188 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Willard, 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
201 mi·3 hr 39 min·Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 75Toward US 160: West Bypass, Willard
10
Turn right onto US 160
3.5 mi·4 min·US 160
11
Enter roundabout onto US 160
133 ft·5 sec·US 160
12
Continue on US 160
1.3 mi·1 min·US 160
13
Enter roundabout onto US 160
135 ft·4 sec·US 160
14
Continue on US 160
0.6 mi·54 sec·US 160
15
Enter roundabout onto US 160 Business
49 ft·1 sec·East Jackson Street
16
Continue on US 160 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·East Jackson Street
17
Arrive at destination
US 160 Business
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour drive time, this is easily a one-day trip, so you can leave whenever you feel most rested. Aim to depart early to maximize your daylight hours, especially if you plan on making any unscheduled stops. The majority of this route is on surface roads, so keep an eye on your speed and be aware of local traffic patterns. With a fuel cost estimated at $35, it's wise to fill up before you leave St. Louis or at a major point along the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor to ensure you have plenty of gas for the longest stretch.
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 111.1 miles from St. Louis, MO, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 201.4 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 49 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.1 miles or 2h 5m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Willard, 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 222.2 miles and 4h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 201.4 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 221.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
1 mi into trip|~2m in|South Jefferson Avenue
Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
215.8 mi into trip|~3h 59m in
Take the exit toward US 160: West Bypass, Willard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 75
Toward US 160: West Bypass, Willard
4
219.5 mi into trip|~4h 4m in|US 160
Enter roundabout onto US 160
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
220.8 mi into trip|~4h 6m in|US 160
Enter roundabout onto US 160
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
221.5 mi into trip|~4h 7m in|US 160 Business / East Jackson Street
Enter roundabout onto US 160 Business / East Jackson Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.70 one way
$69.41 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.33
$37.88
$75.76
premium
$4.69
$41.01
$82.02
diesel
$5.99
$52.43
$104.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.7 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.7
0
$23.33
$10.67
Efficient EV
55.6
0
$19.44
$8.89
EV Truck/SUV
88.9
1
$31.11
$14.22
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
St. Louis, MO
Morning
in St. Louis on Saturday
Local time
8:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
N 8 to 16 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:40AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Destination
Willard, MO
Morning
in Willard on Saturday
Local time
8:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Mostly Cloudy
N 6 to 14 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:40AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
52°F
Cuba, MO
111 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
3 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 9m 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...
11 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 214.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on surface roads, with highways accounting for about 50% of the route. The longest stretch on a single road covers 201.4 miles along the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor. After that portion, you'll transition to other roads, including US 160 and the Police Officer Ernest M. Brockman Sr. Memorial Highway. This means you'll likely encounter more local traffic and intersections as you get closer to your destination.
Only 2% 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: 201.4 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 1 miles in near South Jefferson Avenue.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 9m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (South Jefferson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 215.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219.5 miles (US 160): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
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 201.4 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.
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 1 miles (South Jefferson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 215.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219.5 miles (US 160): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park and Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Willard, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
