How far is St. Louis, MO from Lake Lotawana, MO?
The driving distance from St. Louis, MO to Lake Lotawana, MO is about 234.9 miles (378.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 218.9 miles (352.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 24m 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 04h 42m.
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.
The most populous city in the state of Missouri.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between St. Louis and Lake Lotawana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between St. Louis and Lake Lotawana.
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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
27.8 mi · 34 min · Avenue of the Saints
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6
Take the exit slight left toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
3047 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
80.7 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
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8
Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
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9
Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
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10
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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11
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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12
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
44.8 mi · 48 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward MO AA, US 40, MO BB: Grain Valley, Buckner
1126 ft · 34 sec
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14
Turn left onto North Main Street
1.3 km · 2 min · North Main Street
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15
Continue on South Buckner Tarsney Road /Missouri BB Highway
955 ft · 33 sec · South Buckner Tarsney Road /Missouri BB Highway
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16
Continue on South Buckner Tarsney Road / Missouri BB Highway
763 ft · 14 sec · South Buckner Tarsney Road / Missouri BB Highway
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17
Continue on South Buckner Tarsney Road / Missouri BB Highway
4.6 mi · 8 min · South Buckner Tarsney Road / Missouri BB Highway
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18
Turn right onto East Colbern Road
1.6 mi · 4 min · East Colbern Road
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19
Turn left onto South Lake Shore Drive
1241 ft · 55 sec · South Lake Shore Drive
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20
Continue on Z Street
1.1 mi · 4 min · Z Street
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21
Continue on Y Street
1903 ft · 1 min · Y Street
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22
Continue on X Street
970 ft · 43 sec · X Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · X Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between St. Louis and Lake Lotawana.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving St. Louis and Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Lake Lotawana.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from St. Louis to Lake Lotawana?
The road trip is about 234.9 miles (378.1 km) and usually takes 04h 42m 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?
Columbia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 117.3 miles from St. Louis and 117.7 miles from Lake Lotawana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 218.9 miles (352.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 16 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 7:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.26 one way or $62.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around St. Louis and Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Lake Lotawana.
Stop Ideas Near Columbia
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 Columbia.
Jefferson City
Sedalia
Hermann
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between St. Louis and Lake Lotawana. Straight-line distance: 218.89 mi (352.27 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 Lake Lotawana
City in Jackson County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 2,131 |
| Coordinates | 38.9230600, -94.2441100 |
| Altitude | 274 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Lotawana (-94.24411, 38.92306)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 378 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $31.26 | $62.52 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $35.26 | $70.51 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $38.58 | $77.16 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $43.97 | $87.94 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.