Advance, MO to East Independence, MO is 363.7 miles and takes about 7h 2m via I 55 and Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, primarily traversing Missouri. You'll experience a mix of highway driving and surface roads as you make your way across the state. With only 2 recommended stops and a duration that fits within a single day, it's a straightforward drive for those looking to cover ground efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
181.8 miles from Advance, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
102.9 mi
1h 50m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
80.7 mi
1h 35m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
54.3 mi
58m
Avenue of the Saints
25.4 mi
30m
MO 25
15.8 mi
23m
I 270
11.5 mi
14m
MO AB
5.8 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 102.9 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Advance, MO and East Independence, MO.
1
Start on MO 91
212 ft·10 sec·Oak Street
2
Turn left onto MO 91
0.3 mi·34 sec·MO 91
3
At end of road, turn left onto MO 25
16 mi·23 min·MO 25
4
Enter roundabout onto MO AB
196 ft·3 sec·MO AB
Toward Interstate 55
5
Continue on MO AB
5.7 mi·8 min·MO AB
Toward Interstate 55
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 55 North, US 61 North: Cape Girardeau
7
Merge onto I 55; US 61
1.4 mi·1 min·I 55; US 61
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
102 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 55
9
Continue on I 55
1.3 mi·1 min·Rosa Parks Highway
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 196Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
388 ft·8 sec
Toward I 270 West: Kansas CityUse the slight left lane.
12
Continue on this road
0.7 mi·1 min·this road
Exit 196Toward I 270 West
13
Merge onto I 270
11 mi·14 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 12Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: WentzvilleUse the slight left lane.
16
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·9 sec·this road
Exit 12Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
17
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi·30 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit onto US 40
0.6 mi·1 min·US 40
Exit 1AToward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas CityUse the straight / slight left lanes.
19
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
20
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
21
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
22
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
23
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi·58 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
24
Continue on I 70; US 40
52 mi·56 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 17Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall EntranceUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi·3 min·South Little Blue Parkway
27
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
0.2 mi·37 sec·East R.D. Mize Road
28
Turn right onto South Jackson Drive
1.2 mi·2 min·South Jackson Drive
29
Turn straight onto Holke Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Holke Road
30
Turn left onto East Truman Road
0.7 mi·1 min·East Truman Road
31
Turn right onto Main Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Main Road
32
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
79 ft·3 sec·East 9th Street South
33
Arrive at destination
East 9th Street South
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour drive time, leaving in the morning will allow you to reach your destination with daylight to spare. With only 2 stops suggested, you can plan your breaks strategically, perhaps one mid-morning and another for lunch. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longer stretches, as the estimated fuel cost is $57. The transition from highway to surface roads around the 64% mark of the route means you should be prepared for potentially slower speeds and more local traffic as you get closer to East Independence.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 181.8 miles from Advance, MO, or about 3h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 181.8 miles or 3h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Independence, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Advance, MO so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Advance, MO
This is one driving day of about 363.7 miles and 7h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Advance, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 102.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 126.4 and 165 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
126.4 mi into trip|~2h 25m in
Take the exit toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 196
Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chi...
8
126.7 mi into trip|~2h 25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
8
139 mi into trip|~2h 41m in
Take the exit toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12
Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Lo...
8
139.1 mi into trip|~2h 41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Went...
8
165 mi into trip|~3h 13m in|US 40
Take the exit onto US 40 toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.86 one way
$113.72 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg127 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$62.43
$124.86
premium
$4.89
$69.99
$139.98
diesel
$5.61
$80.30
$160.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 127.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
34 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Festus, MO Rechargery @ Schnucks - W Gannon Dr
Festus, MO
IONNA
10 DCFC
South County Center - Tesla Supercharger
St. Louis, MO
Tesla
10 DCFC
Fenton, MO Rechargery Relay @ Wally's - Assembly Parkway
Fenton, MO
IONNA
10 DCFC
Acee’s Neighborhood Market and Deli - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
109.1
1
$38.19
$17.46
Efficient EV
90.9
1
$31.82
$14.55
EV Truck/SUV
145.5
1
$50.92
$23.28
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Advance, MO
Evening
in Advance on Saturday
Local time
8:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
East Independence, MO
Evening
in East Independence on Saturday
Local time
8:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Chesterfield, MO
182 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 2m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Established by 1750, Ste. Geneviève was the first permanent European settlement in Missouri. Early French Canadian settlers were drawn here by the rich agricultural land known as Le Grand Champ (the B...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 75.2
Gateway Arch National Park commemorates President Jefferson’s vision of a continental nation, the individuals and cultural groups who helped shape its history, St. Louis’ role in westward expansion, a...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
$19
near mile 125.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route covers 363.7 miles with a 36% highway share. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on surface roads after the highway segments conclude. The longest continuous stretch on a major highway is 102.9 miles on I 55. Expect to notice a change in scenery and traffic patterns as you transition from the Interstate to Dwight D Eisenhower Highway and other surface roads.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.9 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 126.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 363.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 126.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 139 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Advance, MO and East Independence, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.
Chicago
126.4 mi in|~2h 25m
Saint Louis
139 mi in|~2h 41m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 2m. Total distance: 363.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.9 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at East Independence, MO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 126.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 139 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at East Independence, MO before the return drive.
