How far is Saint Charles, MO from La Plata, MO?
The driving distance from Saint Charles, MO to La Plata, MO is about 175.2 miles (281.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 137.3 miles (221 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 04m 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 32m.
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 Missouri
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Saint Charles and La Plata.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Charles and La Plata.
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1
Start on North Second Street
1551 ft · 1 min · North Second Street
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2
Turn right onto First Capitol Drive
1.4 km · 2 min · First Capitol Drive
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3
Turn left onto First Capitol Drive
1.5 km · 2 min · First Capitol Drive
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 70 West
1018 ft · 14 sec
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5
Merge slight left
17.5 mi · 22 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 61 North: Hannibal
2234 ft · 48 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
73.3 mi · 1 hr 27 min · Avenue of the Saints
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8
Take the exit slight left
76 m · 15 sec
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9
Turn left onto Paris Gravel Road
2645 ft · 1 min · Paris Gravel Road
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10
Keep slight right to continue on County Road 422
85 m · 9 sec · County Road 422
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11
Turn right onto Veterans Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Veterans Road
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12
Take the ramp left toward US 36 West, MO 110 West: Monroe City
1226 ft · 16 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto V.F.W. Memorial Highway
5.8 mi · 7 min · V.F.W. Memorial Highway
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14
Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
52.9 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Macon, Kirksville
1054 ft · 29 sec
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16
Turn right onto North Missouri Street
18.9 mi · 22 min · North Missouri Street
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17
Take the exit left
31 m · 5 sec
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18
Turn left onto East Clark Street
1.1 km · 1 min · East Clark Street
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19
Turn right onto South Gex Street
844 ft · 39 sec · South Gex Street
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20
Turn right onto East Moore Street
6 m · 1 sec · East Moore Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Moore Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Saint Charles and La Plata.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Avenue of the Saints
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
73.3 mi · 01h 27m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Saint Charles and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near La Plata.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Saint Charles to La Plata?
The road trip is about 175.2 miles (281.9 km) and usually takes 03h 32m 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?
New London is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.6 miles from Saint Charles and 87.6 miles from La Plata.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 137.3 miles (221 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.9 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 9:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.30 one way or $46.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Saint Charles and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near La Plata.
Stop Ideas Near New London
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 New London.
Quincy
Hermann
La Plata
Macomb
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Saint Charles and La Plata. Straight-line distance: 137.3 mi (220.96 km).
#1 Saint Charles
A city in St.
| Population | 71,761 |
| Coordinates | 38.7839400, -90.4812300 |
| Altitude | 147 |
| Country | United States |
#2 La Plata
City in Macon County, Missouri
| Population | 1,303 |
| Coordinates | 40.0233700, -92.4915800 |
| Altitude | 285 |
| Country | United States |
End: La Plata (-92.49158, 40.02337)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 282 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.30 | $46.61 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.28 | $52.57 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.76 | $57.52 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.78 | $65.56 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.