This 244.1-mile journey from Arnold, MO, to East Independence, MO, will take you approximately 3 hours and 49 minutes of driving time. It's a manageable one-day trip, perfect for a quick getaway within the Midwest. The primary roads guiding you are I-55 North and the Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, with some sections on Officer Thomas G. Given the estimated fuel cost of $37, this is an economical option for a road trip. The route has one recommended stop, offering a good balance for a single day's travel.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
121.4 miles from Arnold, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
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
I 270
11.5 mi
14m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2 mi
2m
Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
1.9 mi
2m
South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arnold, MO and East Independence, MO.
1
Start on US 61; US 67
0.9 mi·1 min·Jeffco Boulevard
Use the left lane.
2
Turn left onto MO 141
0.2 mi·27 sec·MO 141
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 55 North
4
Merge onto I 55
0.9 mi·1 min·Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
5
Continue on I 55
1.9 mi·2 min·Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
6
Continue on I 55
1.3 mi·1 min·Rosa Parks Highway
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 196Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
388 ft·8 sec
Toward I 270 West: Kansas CityUse the slight left lane.
9
Continue on this road
0.7 mi·1 min·this road
Exit 196Toward I 270 West
10
Merge onto I 270
11 mi·14 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 12Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
12
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.
13
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·9 sec·this road
Exit 12Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
14
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi·30 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
15
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.
16
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
17
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
18
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
19
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
20
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi·58 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
21
Continue on I 70; US 40
52 mi·56 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 17Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall EntranceUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi·3 min·South Little Blue Parkway
24
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
0.2 mi·37 sec·East R.D. Mize Road
25
Turn right onto South Jackson Drive
1.2 mi·2 min·South Jackson Drive
26
Turn straight onto Holke Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Holke Road
27
Turn left onto East Truman Road
0.7 mi·1 min·East Truman Road
28
Turn right onto Main Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Main Road
29
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
79 ft·3 sec·East 9th Street South
30
Arrive at destination
East 9th Street South
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour, 49-minute drive, starting earlier in the day will give you ample time to complete the 244.1 miles without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you transition between the main roads like I-55 North and Officer Thomas G. Since this is a one-day trip with a manageable duration, you can easily adjust your departure time based on your schedule.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 121.4 miles from Arnold, MO, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.7 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 53 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.4 miles or 2h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 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 Arnold, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Arnold, MO
This is one driving day of about 242.7 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Arnold, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway for about 80.7 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.5 and 44.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
5.5 mi into trip|~7m 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
5.7 mi into trip|~8m 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
18 mi into trip|~23m 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
18.1 mi into trip|~24m 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
44.1 mi into trip|~56m 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
$37.94 one way
$75.89 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$41.66
$83.32
premium
$4.89
$46.71
$93.41
diesel
$5.61
$53.59
$107.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.8
0
$25.48
$11.65
Efficient EV
60.7
0
$21.24
$9.71
EV Truck/SUV
97.1
1
$33.98
$15.53
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Arnold, MO
Night
in Arnold on Saturday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
East Independence, MO
Night
in East Independence on Saturday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 45m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Gateway Arch National Park
National Park
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive that's more on the turn-heavy local side, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating a variety of roads rather than sticking to a single interstate. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests you'll be engaging with the road frequently. The character of the drive will likely shift as you move through different towns and local networks across Missouri.
Only 6% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.7 mi on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.5 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 242.7 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 5.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18 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.
On the drive from Arnold, MO to East Independence, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Louis along the way.
Saint Louis
18 mi in|~23m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 45m. Total distance: 242.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.7 miles on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at East Independence, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
