Embarking on the 404-mile journey from Blue Springs to Bethany is a significant commitment that will keep you behind the wheel for approximately 7 hours and 50 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, it is best suited for a single, focused day of travel rather than a leisurely multi-day excursion. You should budget about $61 for fuel to cover the distance across Missouri. While the route remains entirely within the Midwest, the technical nature of the roads makes it more demanding than a standard interstate cruise. Before heading out, ensure you are prepared for a long day of navigating various state highways and local roads.
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
202 miles from Blue Springs, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
131.6 mi
2h 29m
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
126.7 mi
2h 15m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
Avenue of the Saints
25.1 mi
30m
US 60
22.6 mi
26m
I 270
11.5 mi
14m
US 60 Business
10.9 mi
16m
West Main Avenue
6.7 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 131.6 mi, about 2h 29m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,340 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,883
Quietest
1 AM
~235 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blue Springs, MO and Bethany, MO.
1
Start on Southwest 15th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest 15th Street
2
Turn right onto Northwest R D Mize Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Northwest R D Mize Road
3
Turn left onto MO 7
0.4 mi·1 min·MO 7
4
Turn slight right onto MO 7
84 ft·2 sec·MO 7
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 70 East: Columbia
6
Merge onto I 70
49 mi·52 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
7
Continue on I 70; US 40
32 mi·34 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi·24 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
9
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
10
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
13
Take the exit onto US 40
0.3 mi·33 sec·US 40
Exit 210AToward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
14
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi·30 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 25Toward I 270: Chicago, MemphisUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward I 270 South: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 270
11 mi·14 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·27 sec
Exit 1AToward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward I 55 South: Memphis
20
Merge onto I 55
1.5 mi·1 min·Rosa Parks Highway
21
Continue on I 55
1.8 mi·2 min·Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
22
Continue on I 55
127 mi·2 hr 15 min·Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 66BToward US 60 West: Dexter, Poplar Bluff
24
Merge onto US 60
23 mi·26 min·US 60
25
Take the exit onto US 60 Business
0.3 mi·40 sec·US 60 Business
Toward MO 25, US 60 Business: Dexter, Bloomfield
26
Turn left onto US 60 Business; MO 25
11 mi·15 min·US 60 Business; MO 25
27
Turn right onto MO U
6.7 mi·11 min·West Main Avenue
28
Turn left onto MO H
3.0 mi·7 min·MO H
29
Turn left onto County Road 102
0.8 mi·3 min·County Road 102
30
Arrive at destination
County Road 102
Trip Plan
Given the nearly eight-hour duration, plan to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours for navigating the more complex sections of the route. You have two scheduled stops, which are essential for maintaining focus during such a long, turn-heavy drive. Use these breaks to refuel and stretch, keeping in mind that your total fuel costs will hover around $61. Since the route is not a simple highway sprint, avoid rushing through the technical segments where the road character shifts frequently. A concrete tip for this trip is to keep your GPS updated and ready, as the high density of turns off the main highways can make navigation challenging if you are not paying close attention to the signage.
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 202 miles from Blue Springs, MO, or about 3h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131.6 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 89 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 202 miles or 3h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bethany, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Blue Springs, 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 Blue Springs, MO
This is one driving day of about 404 miles and 7h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Blue Springs, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 131.6 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 228.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.4 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 70 East: Columbia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 70 East: Columbia
6
191.1 mi into trip|~3h 36m in|US 40
Take the exit onto US 40 toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 210A
Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Ches...
8
216.5 mi into trip|~4h 7m in
Take the exit toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
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 25
Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
7
216.8 mi into trip|~4h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 270 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 270 South: Memphis
8
228.7 mi into trip|~4h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$67.17 one way
$134.34 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg141 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$73.17
$146.33
premium
$5.18
$82.44
$164.88
diesel
$5.35
$85.09
$170.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$67
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 141.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
121.2
1
$42.42
$19.39
Efficient EV
101
1
$35.35
$16.16
EV Truck/SUV
161.6
2
$56.56
$25.86
Gas CO2
141 kg
EV CO2
47 kg (67% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Blue Springs, MO
Afternoon
in Blue Springs on Wednesday
Local time
2:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 3 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:06AM CDT until June 1 at 4:45AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:04AM CDT until June 1 at 4:30AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Bethany, MO
Afternoon
in Bethany on Wednesday
Local time
2:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph37% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:06AM CDT until June 1 at 4:45AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 4:04AM CDT until June 1 at 4:30AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
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 50m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 278.6
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
$19
near mile 222.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a distinct change of pace, as only 11% of the trip consists of major highway travel. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating turn-heavy local roads that require your full attention compared to a monotonous interstate grind. Even with the technical nature of the drive, you can expect one significant stretch of 131.6 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway where you can settle into a steady rhythm. Expect the personality of the road to shift frequently as you transition between the Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. This combination of segments keeps the experience dynamic but requires a more hands-on driving style.
Only 11% 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: 131.6 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 1.4 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 18 significant decision points across 404 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 1.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 191.1 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 216.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
974 ft300 ft
Total Climb
394 ft
Total Descent
940 ft
Highest Point
974 ft
Elevation Range
674 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Blue Springs, MO and Bethany, MO, road signs point toward Memphis, Poplar Bluff and Bloomfield.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 50m. Total distance: 404 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 50m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 131.6 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 Bethany, 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 1.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 191.1 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 216.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park and Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bethany, MO before the return drive.
