Tarkio, MO to O'Fallon, MO is 336.4 miles and takes about 6h 25m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and I 29, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Missouri, taking you from the Midwest region towards the St. Louis area. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, making it a fairly straightforward trip. It's a route well-suited for a single day of travel, offering a practical way to cover this distance 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
168.2 miles from Tarkio, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
142.5 mi
2h 42m
I 29
77.4 mi
1h 23m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
I 435
28 mi
30m
East Main Street
11.8 mi
17m
US 59
5.8 mi
8m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
5.6 mi
6m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 142.5 mi, about 2h 42m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,284 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,878
Quietest
1 AM
~292 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
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 Tarkio, MO and O'Fallon, MO.
1
Start on Main Street
158 ft·12 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
0.2 mi·45 sec·South 3rd Street
3
Turn right onto US 136
0.5 mi·51 sec·Walnut Street
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 59; US 136
1.4 mi·2 min·South 10th Street
5
Turn left onto US 59
5.8 mi·8 min·US 59
6
Turn left onto US 59
12 mi·17 min·East Main Street
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 29 South: Saint Joseph
8
Merge onto I 29
75 mi·1 hr 20 min·I 29
9
Merge onto I 29; I 435; US 71
2.2 mi·2 min·I 29; I 435; US 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 435
28 mi·30 min·I 435
Exit 14Toward I 435 East: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24
0.3 mi·23 sec·US 24
Exit 63Toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Kansas City, Sports Complex
12
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·1 min
Toward I 70 East: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
469 ft·11 sec
Toward I 70 East: Saint LouisUse the slight left / straight lanes.
32 mi·34 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi·24 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
21
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
22
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
23
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
24
Continue on I 70; US 40
88 mi·1 hr 44 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward MO K: O'FallonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn straight onto Drennen Parkway
150 ft·3 sec·Drennen Parkway
Toward MO K: O'Fallon
27
Keep slight right at fork onto Drennen Parkway
166 ft·5 sec·Drennen Parkway
Toward MO K: O'Fallon
28
Turn slight left
62 ft·2 sec
Toward MO K: O'Fallon
29
Continue on South Main Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Main Street
30
Turn right
25 ft·1 sec
31
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 25m estimated drive time, departing in the morning is advisable to allow ample daylight for the entire 336.4-mile trip. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Consider breaking up the drive with a brief rest after the longest stretch of 142.5 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into potentially less populated stretches, and factor in the estimated $53 fuel cost. Since this is a single-day route, you can adjust your departure time based on your schedule.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 168.2 miles from Tarkio, MO, or about 3h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.5 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 74 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 168.2 miles or 3h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near O'Fallon, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tarkio, 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 Tarkio, MO
This is one driving day of about 336.4 miles and 6h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Tarkio, 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 142.5 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 97.5 and 335.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
97.5 mi into trip|~1h 54m in|I 435
Keep slight right at fork onto I 435 toward I 435 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 14
Toward I 435 East: Saint Louis
7
125.5 mi into trip|~2h 25m in|US 24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24 toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Kansas City, Sports Complex
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 63
Toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Ka...
7
125.8 mi into trip|~2h 25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
7
127 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
6
335.4 mi into trip|~6h 22m in
Take the exit toward MO K: O'Fallon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward MO K: O'Fallon
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.30 one way
$104.60 round trip
$3.95/gal25.4 MPG avg118 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.31
$57.11
$114.22
premium
$4.68
$61.94
$123.89
diesel
$6.01
$79.58
$159.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117.7 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
100.9
1
$35.32
$16.15
Efficient EV
84.1
0
$29.44
$13.46
EV Truck/SUV
134.6
1
$47.10
$21.53
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
39 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Tarkio, MO
Afternoon
in Tarkio on Sunday
Local time
4:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Clear
S 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
O'Fallon, MO
Afternoon
in O'Fallon on Sunday
Local time
4:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
37°F
Clear
S 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
60°F
Oak Grove, MO
168 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
2 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
6h 25m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 33% of this 336.4-mile route is on highways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 142.5 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway before transitioning to surface roads. This means you'll experience significant highway driving, followed by a period of more local road travel. Expect to navigate through areas with a higher density of exits and potentially more varied speed limits as you move between highway segments.
33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 142.5 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 97.5 miles in near I 435.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 336.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 97.5 miles (I 435): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.5 miles (US 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,050 ft546 ft
Total Climb
479 ft
Total Descent
862 ft
Highest Point
1,050 ft
~48.2 mi in
Elevation Range
503 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Tarkio, MO and O'Fallon, MO, road signs point toward Kansas City and Sports Complex.
St. Charles, Missouri is outside of St. Louis on the bank of the Missouri River. It was Missouri's first state capital and was one of the first stops by Lewis and Clark on their journey to explore Louisiana Territory. The historic Main Street has largely been restored to its 1812-era appearance including gas lights a boardwalk and is lined with shops selling artwork, handicrafts, home decorations, antiques. There are also many restaurants.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 25m. Total distance: 336.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 25m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 142.5 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 43 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 O'Fallon, 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 43 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 97.5 miles (I 435): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.5 miles (US 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at O'Fallon, MO before the return drive.
