How far is St. Louis, MO from Buffalo, MO?

The driving distance from St. Louis, MO to Buffalo, MO is about 190.7 miles (306.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 171.3 miles (275.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 23m 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
190.71 mi
03h 41m
Flight
171.34 mi
275.74 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
171.34 mi
Kilometers
275.74 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
190.71 mi
Kilometers
306.92 km
Drive Time
03h 41m

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 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Buffalo
Fri, May 1, 3:10 AM CDT
Return by in St. Louis
Fri, May 1, 6:52 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave St. Louis
2026-04-30T23:29
Arrive Buffalo
Fri, May 1, 3:10 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:42 AM to 11:42 AM CDT

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

Leave by
9:36 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
Saint James
MO

City in Phelps County, Missouri, United States

From St. Louis
95.3 mi
01h 50m
To Buffalo
95.5 mi
01h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
1 to 7 mph W
Destination
66°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between St. Louis and Buffalo.

  1. 1

    Start on Market Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · Market Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue

    1.2 mi · 3 min · South Jefferson Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the ramp straight toward I 44 West

    1051 ft · 17 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Officer David Haynes Memorial Highway

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Officer David Haynes Memorial Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway

    3.5 mi · 4 min · Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway

    2.7 mi · 3 min · Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Police Officer Ernest M. Brockman Sr. Memorial Highway

    3.5 mi · 4 min · Police Officer Ernest M. Brockman Sr. Memorial Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor

    147.9 mi · 2 hr 41 min · Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 32, MO 5, MO 64: Hartville

    932 ft · 20 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto South Jefferson Avenue

    1 mi · 2 min · South Jefferson Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn left onto West Commercial Street

    4.3 mi · 7 min · West Commercial Street

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    22.6 mi · 31 min

  13. 13

    Turn right onto South Maple Street

    1350 ft · 27 sec · South Maple Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Maple Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
14 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
148 mi · 78%
West Commercial Street
26.9 mi · 14%
Police Officer Ernest M. Brockman Sr. Memorial H
3.53 mi · 2%
Officer Michael Barwick Memorial Highway
3.46 mi · 2%
Police Officer Robert Stanze Memorial Highway
2.75 mi · 1%
Officer David Haynes Memorial Highway
2.28 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor

Continue on Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor

148 mi · 02h 41m

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
03h 41m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.4 mi
171.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Saint James
01h 50m from St. Louis
Leave By
9:36 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving St. Louis and Mostly Sunny near Buffalo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 190.7 miles (306.9 km) and usually takes 03h 41m 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?

Saint James is a useful midpoint, sitting about 95.3 miles from St. Louis and 95.5 miles from Buffalo.

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

The direct path is about 171.3 miles (275.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.4 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 9:36 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.38 one way or $50.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around St. Louis and Mostly Sunny near Buffalo.

Stop Ideas Near Saint James

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

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

RAIL

Jefferson City

81 mi away
101 Jefferson Street
RAIL

Hermann

81 mi away
Wharf & Gutenberg Sts.
RAIL

Washington

82 mi away
301 West Front St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between St. Louis and Buffalo. Straight-line distance: 171.34 mi (275.74 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
Buffalo

#2 Buffalo

City in Dallas County, Missouri, United States

Population3,202
Coordinates37.6439300, -93.0924100
Altitude366
CountryUnited States
Start: St. Louis (-90.19789, 38.62727)
End: Buffalo (-93.09241, 37.64393)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 307 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 48m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 43m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 22m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.73 gal
25.47 L · about $25.38
Round trip
$50.76
13.46 gal · 50.94 L
Estimated CO2
59.8 kg one way
Round trip: 119.6 kg / 264 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $25.38 $50.76
Mid-grade $4.25 $28.62 $57.25
Premium $4.65 $31.32 $62.64
Diesel $5.30 $35.70 $71.39

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 01, 2026

There is no time difference between St. Louis and Buffalo. The current time is 23:29:00.

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.