How far is Saint Charles, MO from Imperial, MO?

The driving distance from Saint Charles, MO to Imperial, MO is about 35 miles (56.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 29.1 miles (46.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
34.96 mi
00h 46m
Flight
29.15 mi
46.91 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Saint Charles.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
29.15 mi
Kilometers
46.91 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
34.96 mi
Kilometers
56.26 km
Drive Time
00h 46m

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 00h 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Imperial
Wed, May 13, 10:56 AM CDT
Return by in Saint Charles
Wed, May 13, 11:42 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saint Charles
2026-05-13T10:10
Arrive Imperial
Wed, May 13, 10:56 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:46 AM to 10:46 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:58 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Saint Charles
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Kirkwood
MO

Suburb of St.

From Saint Charles
17.5 mi
00h 23m
To Imperial
17.5 mi
00h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 15 mph NW
Destination
77°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Saint Charles and Imperial.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Saint Charles and Imperial.

  1. 1

    Start on North Second Street

    949 ft · 38 sec · North Second Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Jefferson Street

    1093 ft · 45 sec · Jefferson Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South Fifth Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · South Fifth Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 70 East

    1019 ft · 14 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    2.7 mi · 3 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis

    872 ft · 12 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 270 South: Memphis

    2339 ft · 33 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on I 270 South: Memphis

    723 ft · 10 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    19 mi · 24 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road

    1911 ft · 27 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Memphis

    2031 ft · 44 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Rosa Parks Highway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Rosa Parks Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway

    6.1 mi · 7 min · Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward Imperial Main Street

    1439 ft · 31 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Imperial Main Street, Imperial, Kimmswick

    31 m · 6 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Imperial Main Street

    1121 ft · 30 sec · Imperial Main Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Old State Road

    85 m · 15 sec · Old State Road

  19. 19

    Turn right onto White Street

    126 m · 18 sec · White Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · White Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Saint Charles and Imperial.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
20 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
57.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 270 South
19.6 mi · 56%
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
6.12 mi · 18%
I 70 East
2.85 mi · 8%
Rosa Parks Highway
1.51 mi · 4%
South Fifth Street
1.1 mi · 3%
Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
0.92 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 270 South

Merge slight left

19 mi · 00h 24m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 46m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.9 mi
29.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kirkwood
00h 23m from Saint Charles
Leave By
4:58 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Saint Charles and Sunny near Imperial.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Saint Charles to Imperial?

The road trip is about 35 miles (56.3 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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?

Kirkwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.5 miles from Saint Charles and 17.5 miles from Imperial.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 29.1 miles (46.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:58 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.64 one way or $9.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Saint Charles and Sunny near Imperial.

Stop Ideas Near Kirkwood

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Kirkwood, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Kirkwood.

RAIL

Kirkwood

110 West Argonne Dr.
RAIL

Gateway Transportation Center

18 mi away
551 South 16th St.
RAIL

Alton

43 mi away
3400 College Ave.
RAIL

Washington

53 mi away
301 West Front St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saint Charles and Imperial. Straight-line distance: 29.15 mi (46.91 km).

Saint Charles

#1 Saint Charles

A city in St.

Population71,761
Coordinates38.7839400, -90.4812300
Altitude147
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Imperial

Imperial is a place in Missouri, United States.

Population0
Coordinates38.3697800, -90.3784500
Altitude135
CountryUnited States
Start: Saint Charles (-90.48123, 38.78394)
End: Imperial (-90.37845, 38.36978)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 56 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 41m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.23 gal
4.67 L · about $4.64
Round trip
$9.28
2.46 gal · 9.34 L
Estimated CO2
10.9 kg one way
Round trip: 21.9 kg / 48 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $4.64 $9.28
Mid-grade $4.25 $5.23 $10.46
Premium $4.65 $5.72 $11.45
Diesel $5.30 $6.52 $13.05

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Saint Charles and Imperial. The current time is 10:10:23.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.