How far is St. Louis, MO from Appleton City, MO?

The driving distance from St. Louis, MO to Appleton City, MO is about 261.3 miles (420.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 31m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 209.6 miles (337.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
261.35 mi
05h 31m
Flight
209.61 mi
337.33 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from St. Louis.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
209.61 mi
Kilometers
337.33 km
Flight Time
00h 25m

Driving Distance

Road route
261.35 mi
Kilometers
420.61 km
Drive Time
05h 31m

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 05h 31m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Appleton City
Fri, Apr 17, 2:12 AM CDT
Return by in St. Louis
Fri, Apr 17, 7:44 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave St. Louis
2026-04-16T20:40
Arrive Appleton City
Fri, Apr 17, 2:12 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 31m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:32 AM to 1:32 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
5:56 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in St. Louis
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Huntsdale
MO

Human settlement in Missouri, United States of America

From St. Louis
130.5 mi
02h 45m
To Appleton City
130.9 mi
02h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Thursday

Scattered Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 10 mph SW
Destination
81°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between St. Louis and Appleton City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between St. Louis and Appleton City.

  1. 1

    Start on Market Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Market Street

  2. 2

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 64 West, US 40 West: Wentzville

    1531 ft · 24 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left onto Jack Buck Memorial Highway

    4.3 mi · 6 min · Jack Buck Memorial Highway

  4. 4

    Continue on Daniel Boone Expressway

    5.7 mi · 7 min · Daniel Boone Expressway

  5. 5

    Continue on Avenue of the Saints

    27.8 mi · 34 min · Avenue of the Saints

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight left toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City

    3047 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway

    80.7 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

    2 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

    45.7 mi · 49 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 65 South: Sedalia

    1094 ft · 37 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    30.5 mi · 38 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit right toward MO 52 West: Windsor

    57 m · 5 sec

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Whiteman Road

    30.4 mi · 45 min · Whiteman Road

  16. 16

    Take the ramp left

    9.2 mi · 12 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 52 West: Montrose

    1677 ft · 47 sec

  18. 18

    Turn right

    11.8 mi · 21 min

  19. 19

    Turn slight left

    6.9 mi · 12 min

  20. 20

    Turn right onto North Walnut Street

    4 m · 1 sec · North Walnut Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Walnut Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between St. Louis and Appleton City.

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
21 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
80.7 mi · 31%
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
45.7 mi · 17%
Whiteman Road
39.6 mi · 15%
US 65 South
30.7 mi · 12%
Avenue of the Saints
27.8 mi · 11%
Daniel Boone Expressway
5.72 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Dwight D Eisenhower Highway

Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway

80.7 mi · 01h 35m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 31m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+51.7 mi
209.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Huntsdale
02h 45m from St. Louis
Leave By
5:56 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Scattered Rain Showers leaving St. Louis and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Appleton City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from St. Louis to Appleton City?

The road trip is about 261.3 miles (420.6 km) and usually takes 05h 31m 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?

Huntsdale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 130.5 miles from St. Louis and 130.9 miles from Appleton City.

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

The direct path is about 209.6 miles (337.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.7 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 5:56 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.77 one way or $69.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Scattered Rain Showers around St. Louis and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Appleton City.

Stop Ideas Near Huntsdale

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Huntsdale, 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 Huntsdale.

RAIL

Jefferson City

45 mi away
101 Jefferson Street
RAIL

Sedalia

69 mi away
100 block of Main Street, through parking lot
RAIL

Hermann

93 mi away
Wharf & Gutenberg Sts.
RAIL

Warrensburg

111 mi away
100 South Holden St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between St. Louis and Appleton City. Straight-line distance: 209.61 mi (337.33 km).

St. Louis

#1 St. Louis

The second most populous city in Missouri and the center of the St.

Population315,685
Coordinates38.6272700, -90.1978900
Altitude142
CountryUnited States
Appleton City

#2 Appleton City

City in St.

Population1,080
Coordinates38.1905800, -94.0293900
Altitude267
CountryUnited States
Start: St. Louis (-90.19789, 38.62727)
End: Appleton City (-94.02939, 38.19058)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 421 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 32m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 13m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.22 gal
34.91 L · about $34.77
Round trip
$69.54
18.44 gal · 69.82 L
Estimated CO2
81.9 kg one way
Round trip: 163.9 kg / 361 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $34.77 $69.54
Mid-grade $4.25 $39.21 $78.43
Premium $4.65 $42.91 $85.82
Diesel $5.30 $48.90 $97.81

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

There is no time difference between St. Louis and Appleton City. The current time is 20:40:40.

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.