How far is Lake Lotawana, MO from Saint Charles, MO?
The driving distance from Lake Lotawana, MO to Saint Charles, MO is about 217.3 miles (349.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 202.7 miles (326.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 56m 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 03h 28m.
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.
The most populous city in the state of Missouri.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Lotawana and Saint Charles.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Lotawana and Saint Charles.
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1
Start on X Street
970 ft · 43 sec · X Street
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2
Continue on Y Street
1903 ft · 1 min · Y Street
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3
Continue on Z Street
1.1 mi · 4 min · Z Street
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4
Continue on South Lake Shore Drive
1102 ft · 51 sec · South Lake Shore Drive
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5
Turn right onto East Colbern Road
1.6 mi · 4 min · East Colbern Road
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6
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Buckner Tarsney Road
4.9 mi · 8 min · South Buckner Tarsney Road
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7
Continue on North Main Street
1.2 km · 2 min · North Main Street
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8
Take the ramp right toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Columbia, Saint Louis
1045 ft · 25 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
44.8 mi · 48 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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10
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
32 mi · 34 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
22.4 mi · 24 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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12
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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13
Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
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14
Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
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15
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
99 mi · 1 hr 57 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 Business, MO 94: First Capitol Drive, Lewis and Clark Trail
653 ft · 14 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 70 Business, MO 94 East: First Capitol Drive, Lindenwood University, SSM Health Saint Joseph Hospital
596 ft · 15 sec
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18
Turn straight onto First Capitol Drive
1.5 km · 2 min · First Capitol Drive
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19
Turn slight right onto MO 94
1.4 km · 2 min
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20
Turn left onto South Second Street
1551 ft · 57 sec · South 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 Lake Lotawana 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.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
99 mi · 01h 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.
Chance Rain Showers then Sunny leaving Lake Lotawana 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 Lake Lotawana to Saint Charles?
The road trip is about 217.3 miles (349.7 km) and usually takes 03h 28m 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?
Columbia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 107.4 miles from Lake Lotawana and 109.9 miles from Saint Charles.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 202.7 miles (326.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.6 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 10:04 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.92 one way or $57.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Sunny around Lake Lotawana and Showers And Thunderstorms near Saint Charles.
Stop Ideas Near Columbia
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 Columbia.
Jefferson City
Sedalia
Hermann
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Lotawana and Saint Charles. Straight-line distance: 202.68 mi (326.18 km).
#1 Lake Lotawana
City in Jackson County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 2,131 |
| Coordinates | 38.9230600, -94.2441100 |
| Altitude | 274 |
| 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: 350 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $28.92 | $57.85 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $32.62 | $65.24 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $35.70 | $71.39 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $40.68 | $81.36 |
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 · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.