Wentzville to Caruthersville is 221.8 miles and takes about 4h 10m via Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway and I-270, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a drive that's mostly on surface roads, offering a more local feel than a pure interstate experience. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, it's a straightforward drive for a single day.
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
110.9 miles from Wentzville, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
173.9 mi
3h 6m
Avenue of the Saints
25.5 mi
31m
I 270
11.5 mi
14m
MO 84
5.1 mi
9m
Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
1.8 mi
2m
Rosa Parks Highway
1.5 mi
1m
East Pearce Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
Luetkenhaus Boulevard
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
— 173.9 mi, about 3h 6m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~3,147 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,671
Quietest
1 AM
~263 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Wentzville, MO and Caruthersville, MO.
1
Start on East Allen Street
40 ft·3 sec·East Allen Street
2
Turn right onto North Linn Avenue
214 ft·11 sec·North Linn Avenue
3
Turn right onto East Pearce Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·East Pearce Boulevard
4
Turn slight right
349 ft·8 sec
5
Turn slight right onto Luetkenhaus Boulevard
500 ft·14 sec·Luetkenhaus Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the ramp
164 ft·2 sec
Toward US 61 South, I 70, US 40Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·10 sec
Toward US 61 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto US 61
25 mi·31 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 25Toward I 270: Chicago, MemphisUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward I 270 South: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 270
11 mi·14 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·27 sec
Exit 1AToward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward I 55 South: Memphis
14
Merge onto I 55
1.5 mi·1 min·Rosa Parks Highway
15
Continue on I 55
1.8 mi·2 min·Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
16
Continue on I 55
174 mi·3 hr 6 min·Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 19Toward MO 84: Hayti, Caruthersville
18
Turn left onto MO 84
5.1 mi·9 min·MO 84
19
Turn right
45 ft·3 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 10m drive time, leaving Wentzville in the morning will allow you to reach Caruthersville with plenty of daylight to spare. Plan for your single recommended stop strategically along the Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, as it accounts for the longest continuous driving segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto surface roads, and remember the estimated fuel cost is around $34. This drive is manageable in one day, so you have flexibility in when you depart.
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 110.9 miles from Wentzville, MO, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 173.9 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 49 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.9 miles or 2h 6m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Caruthersville, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wentzville, 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 Wentzville, MO
This is one driving day of about 221.8 miles and 4h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Wentzville, 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 Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway for about 173.9 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 38.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the ramp toward US 61 South, I 70, US 40
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 61 South, I 70, US 40
8
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 61 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 61 South
8
26.3 mi into trip|~32m in
Take the exit toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
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 25
Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
7
26.7 mi into trip|~33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 270 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 270 South: Memphis
8
38.5 mi into trip|~48m in
Take the exit toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.00 one way
$74.00 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$40.21
$80.42
premium
$5.26
$45.92
$91.85
diesel
$6.18
$53.96
$107.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
EV Charging Along Route
7 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Tesla Supercharger
Lake St Louis, Missouri
Tesla
1 DCFC
EVgo Charging Station
Wentzville, Missouri
EVgo
1 DCFC
EVXY Charging Station
O'Fallon, Missouri
Other
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Wentzville, Missouri
Blink
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
St Charles, Missouri
Other
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Lake St Louis, Missouri
Blink
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Weldon Spring, Missouri
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Other: 2
Blink: 2
Tesla: 1
EVgo: 1
ChargePoint: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.5
0
$23.29
$10.65
Efficient EV
55.5
0
$19.41
$8.87
EV Truck/SUV
88.7
1
$31.05
$14.20
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 18, 2026
Origin
Wentzville, MO
Morning
in Wentzville on Sunday
Local time
8:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
36°F
Patchy Frost
S 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Caruthersville, MO
Morning
in Caruthersville on Sunday
Local time
8:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Clear
ENE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
47°F
Crystal City, 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
4 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
4h 10m 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.
Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Established by 1750, Ste. Geneviève was the first permanent European settlement in Missouri. Early French Canadian settlers were drawn here by the rich agricultural land known as Le Grand Champ (the B...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 84.1
Park Closure: Janis-Ziegler House (Green Tree Tavern) Closed
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
$19
near mile 38.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily surface roads, with only 7% of the drive on highways like I-270. You'll experience a long stretch of 173.9 miles on the Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, which will likely feel like rural cruising. The transition away from the interstate will mean more local traffic and potentially more intersections as you move towards your destination.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 173.9 mi on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 221.8 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 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
631 ft276 ft
Total Climb
317 ft
Total Descent
672 ft
Highest Point
631 ft
Elevation Range
355 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 Wentzville, MO to Caruthersville, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 10m. Total distance: 221.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 173.9 miles on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 Caruthersville, 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 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park and Gateway Arch National Park. 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 Caruthersville, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
