How far is St. Louis, MO from La Plata, MO?
The driving distance from St. Louis, MO to La Plata, MO is about 194.8 miles (313.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 156 miles (251 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 49m 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 54m.
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 Pike County, Missouri, United States
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 St. Louis and La Plata.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between St. Louis and La Plata.
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1
Start on Market Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Market Street
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2
Take the ramp slight left toward I 64 West, US 40 West: Wentzville
1531 ft · 24 sec
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3
Merge slight left onto Jack Buck Memorial Highway
4.3 mi · 6 min · Jack Buck Memorial Highway
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4
Continue on Daniel Boone Expressway
5.7 mi · 7 min · Daniel Boone Expressway
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5
Continue on Avenue of the Saints
101.2 mi · 2 hr 1 min · Avenue of the Saints
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6
Take the exit slight left
76 m · 15 sec
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7
Turn left onto Paris Gravel Road
2645 ft · 1 min · Paris Gravel Road
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8
Keep slight right to continue on County Road 422
85 m · 9 sec · County Road 422
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9
Turn right onto Veterans Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Veterans Road
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10
Take the ramp left toward US 36 West, MO 110 West: Monroe City
1226 ft · 16 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto V.F.W. Memorial Highway
5.8 mi · 7 min · V.F.W. Memorial Highway
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12
Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
52.9 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Macon, Kirksville
1054 ft · 29 sec
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14
Turn right onto North Missouri Street
18.9 mi · 22 min · North Missouri Street
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15
Take the exit left
31 m · 5 sec
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16
Turn left onto East Clark Street
1.1 km · 1 min · East Clark Street
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17
Turn right onto South Gex Street
844 ft · 39 sec · South Gex Street
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18
Turn right onto East Moore Street
6 m · 1 sec · East Moore Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Moore Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between St. Louis 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
Continue on Avenue of the Saints
101 mi · 02h 01m
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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis to La Plata?
The road trip is about 194.8 miles (313.5 km) and usually takes 03h 54m 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?
Frankford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.4 miles from St. Louis and 97.5 miles from La Plata.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 156 miles (251 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.8 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 9:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.91 one way or $51.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around St. Louis and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near La Plata.
Stop Ideas Near Frankford
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 Frankford.
Quincy
Hermann
Washington
La Plata
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between St. Louis and La Plata. Straight-line distance: 155.98 mi (251.03 km).
#1 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 |
#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: 314 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.91 | $51.81 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.22 | $58.44 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $31.97 | $63.95 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.44 | $72.88 |
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.