How far is St. Louis, MO from Lake Ozark, MO?
The driving distance from St. Louis, MO to Lake Ozark, MO is about 173.3 miles (278.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135.4 miles (217.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 50m 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 25m.
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, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between St. Louis and Lake Ozark.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between St. Louis and Lake Ozark.
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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
61.6 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 54: Auxvasse, Mexico, Fulton
1196 ft · 28 sec
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9
Turn left
69.3 mi · 1 hr 17 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 54 Business
883 ft · 26 sec
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Bagnell Dam Boulevard
35 m · 2 sec · Bagnell Dam Boulevard
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12
Exit the rotary onto Bagnell Dam Boulevard
550 ft · 14 sec · Bagnell Dam Boulevard
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Bagnell Dam Boulevard
36 m · 2 sec · Bagnell Dam Boulevard
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14
Exit the roundabout onto Bagnell Dam Boulevard
1.6 mi · 4 min · Bagnell Dam Boulevard
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Bagnell Dam Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between St. Louis and Lake Ozark.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Longest stretch
Turn left
69.3 mi · 01h 17m
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.
Sunny leaving St. Louis and Sunny near Lake Ozark.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from St. Louis to Lake Ozark?
The road trip is about 173.3 miles (278.9 km) and usually takes 03h 25m 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?
Montgomery City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.6 miles from St. Louis and 86.7 miles from Lake Ozark.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135.4 miles (217.9 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 10:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.08 one way or $46.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around St. Louis and Sunny near Lake Ozark.
Stop Ideas Near Montgomery City
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 Montgomery City.
Hermann
Washington
Jefferson City
Kirkwood
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between St. Louis and Lake Ozark. Straight-line distance: 135.42 mi (217.94 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 Ozark
City in Miller County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 1,853 |
| Coordinates | 38.1986400, -92.6388000 |
| Altitude | 229 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Ozark (-92.6388, 38.19864)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 279 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.08 | $46.16 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.03 | $52.06 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.48 | $56.96 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.46 | $64.92 |
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.