You can make St. Louis to Hermann in about 1.75 hours, but the people who love this drive never do it in one straight shot. At around 80 miles on MO-94 and MO-100, it is short enough to start after breakfast and long enough to earn a night somewhere memorable among the vineyards.
Open this route in XCRSNLeaving St. Louis
Aim to clear St. Louis before the morning rush, or after it, never in it. Fill the tank on the edge of town where prices usually drop, set the playlist, and settle in for the first 43 miles to Augusta.
The headline stop on this route is Augusta, America's first wine district. Leave real time for it; it sets the tone for the whole trip.
Augusta
Augusta sits about 43 miles in. It is the natural place to stop for the night: hotels are plentiful, rates beat the big-city ends of the route, and you wake up with the hardest miles already behind you.
Nearby, Katy Trail along the Missouri River is worth the short detour if the day is going well.
Washington, the last stretch
Washington sits about 51 miles in. It makes a good spot to stretch, eat something that is not from a gas station, and swap drivers.
Rolling into Hermann
The final 29 miles always go faster than you expect. Save a little energy for Stone Hill Winery cellars; it is a fitting finish.
By the end you will have seen Augusta, America's first wine district, Katy Trail along the Missouri River and Stone Hill Winery cellars, and you will understand why this corridor is a classic.
When to go and how to pace it
One night is the sweet spot. Hermann or Augusta, MO is where most people stay, so book ahead on summer weekends.
Check live gas prices along MO-94 and MO-100 before you go; they can swing a lot from one state or county to the next. XCRSN prices every leg for your exact car.
