Origin
Tarkio, MO
Evening in Tarkio on Saturday
Local time
8:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tarkio, MO to Saint Charles, MO
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 41m
Distance
348.5 mi
561 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 30m
★
6 AM
6h 42m
8 AM
7h 6m
10 AM
6h 50m
12 PM
6h 48m
3 PM
6h 51m
5 PM
7h 4m
8 PM
6h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tarkio, MO
Valeria Boltneva
Saint Charles, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 348.5-mile journey from Tarkio, MO, to Saint Charles, MO, is a solid day trip, estimated to take about 6 hours and 41 minutes. With 32% of the drive on highways, you'll experience a mix of road types. The estimated fuel cost for this 1-day adventure is around $54. This route stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel as you travel across Missouri. It’s a manageable distance for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay, provided you start with a full tank and plan your stops efficiently.
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
174.2 miles from Tarkio, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 153.3 mi | 2h 56m |
| 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
— 153.3 mi, about 2h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tarkio, MO and Saint Charles, 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 14
Toward I 435 East: Saint Louis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
US 24
Exit 63
Toward 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 Louis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
469 ft
·
11 sec
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
14
Merge onto I 70
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
George Brett Super Highway
15
Continue on I 70
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
16
Continue on I 70
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 70
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
18
Continue on I 70
53 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
19
Continue on I 70; US 40
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
99 mi
·
1 hr 57 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 228
Toward I 70 Business, MO 94: First Capitol Drive, Lewis and Clark Trail
Use the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 70 Business, MO 94 East: First Capitol Drive, Lindenwood University, SSM Health Saint Joseph Hospital
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
27
Turn straight onto I 70 Business; MO 94
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
First Capitol Drive
28
Turn slight right onto I 70 Business; MO 94
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
I 70 Business; MO 94
Toward MO 94
29
Turn left onto South Second Street
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
South Second Street
30
Arrive at destination
North Second Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour 41-minute duration, an early morning departure from Tarkio is recommended to make the most of daylight and arrive in Saint Charles comfortably. With only one recommended stop, plan it strategically to break up the 348.5-mile trip. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 153.3 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The $54 fuel estimate should help you budget, but it's always wise to have a buffer. This drive is best done in one day, so flexibility with your timing is key.
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 174.2 miles from Tarkio, MO, or about 3h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153.3 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 77 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174.2 miles or 3h 19m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Charles, 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 348.5 miles and 6h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 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 153.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
174 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 77 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 174.2 miles from Tarkio, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 153.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 97.5 and 346.3 — 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
8
346.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 35m in
Take the exit toward I 70 Business, MO 94: First Capitol Drive, Lewis and Clark Trail
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 228
Toward I 70 Business, MO 94: First Capitol Driv...
9
346.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 36m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 Business, MO 94 East: First Capitol Drive, Lindenwood University, SSM Health Saint Joseph Hospital
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 70 Business, MO 94 East: First Capitol...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.48 one way
$108.97 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
122 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $59.82 | $119.64 |
| premium | $4.89 | $67.07 | $134.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $76.94 | $153.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 104.6 | 1 | $36.59 | $16.73 |
| Efficient EV | 87.1 | 0 | $30.49 | $13.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 139.4 | 1 | $48.79 | $22.30 |
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 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.
Destination
Saint Charles, MO
Evening in Saint Charles on Saturday
Local time
8:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Sunny
SW 8 mph
5% chance
Live forecast
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
32 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
6h 41m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with a significant portion on highways. You'll spend about 32% of your time on faster roads, but the majority of the drive will involve other types of thoroughfares. The longest uninterrupted stretch you’ll encounter is 153.3 miles, primarily on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. This suggests periods of steady driving interspersed with more varied road conditions as you progress through Missouri.
32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 153.3 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 Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 348.5 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Saint Charles, MO, road signs point toward Kansas City and Sports Complex.
Kansas City
125.5 mi in
|
~2h 25m
|
via US 24
Sports Complex
125.5 mi in
|
~2h 25m
|
via US 24
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 41m. Total distance: 348.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 41m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 153.3 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Saint Charles, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Saint Charles, MO before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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