Willard to Castle Point is 227.2 miles and takes about 4h 22m via Payne Stewart Highway, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, moving through the Midwest region. The route primarily utilizes surface roads, offering a more grounded travel experience compared to interstate highways. Given its relatively short duration and distance, this is a straightforward option for a single-day excursion.
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
113.6 miles from Willard, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Payne Stewart Highway
201.3 mi
3h 39m
US 160
5.6 mi
7m
Police Officer Ernest M. Brockman Sr. Memorial Highway
3.5 mi
4m
Jennings Station Road
3.3 mi
6m
South Skinker Boulevard
2.8 mi
5m
Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
2.7 mi
3m
Halls Ferry Road
1.6 mi
2m
McCausland Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Payne Stewart Highway
— 201.3 mi, about 3h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Willard, MO and Castle Point, MO.
1
Start on US 160 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·West Jackson Street
2
Enter roundabout onto US 160
199 ft·7 sec·US 160
3
Continue on US 160
0.6 mi·47 sec·US 160
4
Enter roundabout onto US 160
128 ft·4 sec·US 160
5
Continue on US 160
1.3 mi·1 min·US 160
6
Enter roundabout onto US 160
110 ft·4 sec·US 160
7
Continue on US 160
3.6 mi·4 min·US 160
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
9
Merge onto I 44
201 mi·3 hr 39 min·Payne Stewart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 44; US 50
3.5 mi·4 min·Police Officer Ernest M. Brockman Sr. Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 44
2.7 mi·3 min·Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I 44
0.6 mi·47 sec·Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 284Toward Jamieson AvenueUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
227 ft·6 sec
Toward Jamieson Avenue
15
Turn left onto Jamieson Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·Jamieson Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
At end of road, turn left onto Arsenal Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·Arsenal Street
17
Turn right onto McCausland Avenue
1.6 mi·2 min·McCausland Avenue
18
Continue on South Skinker Boulevard
2.8 mi·5 min·South Skinker Boulevard
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on Kienlen Avenue
1.6 mi·2 min·Kienlen Avenue
20
Continue on Jennings Station Road
3.3 mi·6 min·Jennings Station Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Turn left onto Halls Ferry Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Halls Ferry Road
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto Chambers Road
0.4 mi·38 sec·Chambers Road
23
Turn left onto Lord Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Lord Drive
24
Arrive at destination
Lord Drive
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early rush hour and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one planned stop and mostly surface roads, you'll have flexibility in timing your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 201.3 miles on Payne Stewart Highway, as services might be less frequent. The total fuel cost is estimated at $36, so budget accordingly for gas.
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 113.6 miles from Willard, MO, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 201.3 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 50 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.6 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Castle Point, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Willard, 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 Willard, MO
This is one driving day of about 227.2 miles and 4h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Willard, 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 Payne Stewart Highway for about 201.3 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.6 and 215.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
6.6 mi into trip|~9m in|I 44 / Payne Stewart Highway
Merge onto I 44 / Payne Stewart Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
214.8 mi into trip|~3h 58m in
Take the exit toward Jamieson Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 284
Toward Jamieson Avenue
6
214.9 mi into trip|~3h 58m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Jamieson Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Jamieson Avenue
5
215 mi into trip|~3h 58m in|Jamieson Avenue
Turn left onto Jamieson Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
215.3 mi into trip|~3h 59m in|Arsenal Street
At end of road, turn left onto Arsenal Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.52 one way
$71.04 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$39.00
$78.00
premium
$4.89
$43.72
$87.45
diesel
$5.61
$50.16
$100.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.2
0
$23.86
$10.91
Efficient EV
56.8
0
$19.88
$9.09
EV Truck/SUV
90.9
1
$31.81
$14.54
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Willard, MO
Morning
in Willard on Tuesday
Local time
7:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Castle Point, MO
Morning
in Castle Point on Tuesday
Local time
7:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Washington, MO
114 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
20 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 22m 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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
$19
near mile 219.4
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 7.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly surface roads, with only about 20% spent on highways. You'll encounter a long stretch of 201.3 miles on Payne Stewart Highway, indicating a significant portion of the drive will be at lower speeds. Expect frequent turns and intersections as you transition from highway to local roads, typical of a route that prioritizes smaller towns and communities.
Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 201.3 mi on Payne Stewart Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.6 miles in near I 44 / Payne Stewart Highway.
Driving Effort5/10
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 227.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 6.6 miles (I 44 / Payne Stewart Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 214.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 214.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 22m. Total distance: 227.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (2%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 201.3 miles on Payne Stewart Highway. 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 6.6 miles (I 44 / Payne Stewart Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 214.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 214.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Castle Point, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
