How far is Carthage, MO from Saint Charles, MO?
The driving distance from Carthage, MO to Saint Charles, MO is about 286.1 miles (460.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 236.2 miles (380.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 17m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Pulaski County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carthage and Saint Charles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carthage and Saint Charles.
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1
Start on South Grant Street
784 ft · 24 sec · South Grant Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Central Avenue
1557 ft · 44 sec · East Central Avenue
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3
Turn slight left
9.4 mi · 12 min
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4
Continue straight
1.5 km · 1 min
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5
Continue straight
26.7 mi · 31 min
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6
Take the ramp straight toward I 44 East: Springfield
3171 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left
217.6 mi · 3 hr 57 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
871 ft · 19 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 270 North: Chicago
551 ft · 12 sec
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10
Continue on I 270 North: Chicago
2638 ft · 53 sec
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11
Merge slight left
12.6 mi · 16 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 70: Kansas City, Saint Louis, Saint Louis Lambert International Airport
1 mi · 1 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 70 West: Kansas City
645 ft · 11 sec
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14
Continue on I 70 West: Kansas City
1 km · 57 sec
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15
Merge slight left
2.7 mi · 3 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 Business: Fifth Street
841 ft · 18 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 70 Business: Fifth Street North, Bass Pro Drive, Ameristar Boulevard
71 m · 5 sec
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18
Turn slight right onto South Fifth Street
1.6 km · 2 min · South Fifth Street
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19
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
1093 ft · 44 sec · Jefferson Street
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20
Turn left onto North Second Street
949 ft · 34 sec · North Second Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Second Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carthage and Saint Charles.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 44 East
Merge slight left
218 mi · 03h 57m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Carthage and Showers And Thunderstorms near Saint Charles.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carthage to Saint Charles?
The road trip is about 286.1 miles (460.4 km) and usually takes 04h 17m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Waynesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 137.4 miles from Carthage and 148.7 miles from Saint Charles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 236.2 miles (380.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:26 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.09 one way or $76.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Carthage and Showers And Thunderstorms near Saint Charles.
Stop Ideas Near Waynesville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Waynesville.
Jefferson City
Hermann
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carthage and Saint Charles. Straight-line distance: 236.23 mi (380.18 km).
#1 Carthage
City in Missouri
| Population | 14,732 |
| Coordinates | 37.1764500, -94.3102200 |
| Altitude | 306 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Saint Charles
A city in St.
| Population | 71,761 |
| Coordinates | 38.7839400, -90.4812300 |
| Altitude | 147 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Second Street (-90.481269, 38.783952)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 460 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $38.09 | $76.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.96 | $85.91 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $47.01 | $94.01 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $53.57 | $107.14 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Missouri · May 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.