How far is Lake Ozark, MO from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance from Lake Ozark, MO to St. Louis, MO is about 173.6 miles (279.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135.4 miles (217.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 45m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Ozark and St. Louis.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Ozark and St. Louis.
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1
Start on Bagnell Dam Boulevard
1.6 mi · 4 min · Bagnell Dam Boulevard
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2
Exit the roundabout onto Willmore Lane
952 ft · 19 sec · Willmore Lane
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
70 m · 4 sec
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4
Exit the roundabout
684 ft · 19 sec
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5
Merge slight left
13.1 mi · 14 min
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6
Turn straight
56.1 mi · 1 hr 3 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Saint Louis
1220 ft · 15 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
61.9 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
1567 ft · 33 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
27.7 mi · 34 min · Avenue of the Saints
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11
Continue on Daniel Boone Expressway
5.7 mi · 7 min · Daniel Boone Expressway
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12
Continue on Jack Buck Memorial Highway
5.8 mi · 7 min · Jack Buck Memorial Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward 14th Street
1115 ft · 34 sec
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14
Turn left onto South 14th Street
1715 ft · 42 sec · South 14th Street
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15
Turn right onto Market Street
956 ft · 25 sec · Market Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Ozark and St. Louis.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
61.9 mi · 01h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Lake Ozark and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near St. Louis.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Ozark to St. Louis?
The road trip is about 173.6 miles (279.4 km) and usually takes 02h 45m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Montgomery City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.6 miles from Lake Ozark and 87 miles from St. Louis.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135.4 miles (217.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:00 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.12 one way or $46.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Lake Ozark and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near St. Louis.
Stop Ideas Near Montgomery City
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 Montgomery City.
Hermann
Washington
Jefferson City
Kirkwood
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Ozark and St. Louis. Straight-line distance: 135.42 mi (217.94 km).
#1 Lake Ozark
City in Miller County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 1,853 |
| Coordinates | 38.1986400, -92.6388000 |
| Altitude | 229 |
| Country | United States |
#2 St. Louis
The second most populous city in Missouri and the center of the St.
| Population | 315,685 |
| Coordinates | 38.6272700, -90.1978900 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| Country | United States |
End: Market Street (-90.197859, 38.627348)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 279 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.12 | $46.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.07 | $52.14 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.53 | $57.06 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.51 | $65.03 |
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.