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Trip from Blue Springs, MO to Clayton, MO

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 20m

Distance

225 mi

362 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 7m ★
6 AM
4h 21m
8 AM
4h 47m
10 AM
4h 30m
12 PM
4h 27m
3 PM
4h 31m
5 PM
4h 46m
8 PM
4h 13m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Blue Springs, MO, MO

Blue Springs, MO

卓浩 虞

city in and county seat of St. Louis County, Missouri, United States

Clayton, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 225-mile journey from Blue Springs, MO, to Clayton, MO, is best tackled as a single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $34, this drive is budget-friendly. You'll primarily navigate on I-70 East and Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, with some time on Northwest R D Mize Road. The route offers a straightforward drive through the Midwest, with no significant scenic detours, making it a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently. One scheduled stop is noted, so plan accordingly for any necessary breaks.

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

112.5 miles from Blue Springs, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 131.6 mi 2h 29m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway 54.4 mi 58m
Avenue of the Saints 27.7 mi 33m
Daniel Boone Expressway 3.2 mi 3m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway 1.9 mi 2m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway 1.6 mi 1m
South Hanley Road 1 mi 1m
South Service Road 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 131.6 mi, about 2h 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Blue Springs, MO and Clayton, 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 210A Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
14

Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61

28 mi · 33 min · Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15

Continue on I 64; US 40

3.2 mi · 3 min · Daniel Boone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
16

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 12 sec
Exit 31B-A Toward I 170 North Use the slight right lane.
17

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 31B Toward Brentwood Boulevard, Hanley Road Use the straight lane.
18

Continue on South Service Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Service Road
Toward Hanley Road
19

Turn left onto South Hanley Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Hanley Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
20

Turn right onto Wydown Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · Wydown Boulevard
21

Turn right onto Hillvale Drive

178 ft · 7 sec · Hillvale Drive
22

Arrive at destination

Hillvale Drive

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour and 20-minute duration, this trip from Blue Springs to Clayton is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart mid-morning to avoid peak local traffic and allow for a relaxed pace. With just one recommended stop, you have flexibility in choosing when and where to take your break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as local drives can sometimes have longer distances between services than major highways. A practical tip for this route: be prepared for frequent turns and traffic signals, especially as you approach more populated areas, so factor this into your estimated travel time.

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 112.5 miles from Blue Springs, MO, or about 2h 3m 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 50 miles or 55m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 112.5 miles or 2h 3m 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 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clayton, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Blue Springs, MO

This is one driving day of about 225 miles and 4h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Blue Springs, 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 131.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Fulton, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Fulton, MO

113 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Marshall, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Columbia, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 112.5 miles from Blue Springs, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 131.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Cafe Manhattan

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Clayton, Missouri

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13148635695

Visit website

Thailand Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Blue Springs, Missouri

0.7 mi

Ivy Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Clayton, Missouri

1 mi

Cafe Manhattan

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Clayton, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13148635695

Visit website

Thailand Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Blue Springs, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+18162293292

Visit website

Ivy Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

Clayton, Missouri

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+13147769377

Visit website

Café la Vie

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $100 or ab

St. Louis, Missouri

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+13148630400

Visit website

Sweet EM's

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

St. Louis, Missouri

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+13148759174

Visit website

2Schae Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

St. Louis, Missouri

Hours: 8 am–1 pm

+13143548436

Slim Chickens

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

St. Louis, Missouri

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+13149327723

Visit website

Havana's Cuisine Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

St. Louis, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13143125005

Visit website

Café Dolce

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

St. Louis, Missouri

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+13142820332

Visit website

MountainHouse Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

St. Louis, Missouri

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+13147739023

Visit website

La Finca Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

St. Louis, Missouri

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+13149258588

Visit website

The Wolf Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Ballwin, Missouri

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+16365277027

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Kingdom City, Missouri

+15733106020

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Kingdom City, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Lake St Louis, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Higginsville, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16602071324

Visit website

Pilot EV Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Boonville, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16608829120

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 222.5 — 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...
5
191.4 mi into trip | ~3h 37m in | I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints

Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
222.3 mi into trip | ~4h 14m in

Take the exit toward I 170 North

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 31B-A Toward I 170 North
9
222.5 mi into trip | ~4h 15m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Brentwood Boulevard, Hanley Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Exit 31B Toward Brentwood Boulevard, Hanley Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.18 one way

$70.35 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 79 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $38.62 $77.24
premium $4.89 $43.30 $86.60
diesel $5.61 $49.68 $99.35

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$35

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 78.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 67.5 0 $23.63 $10.80
Efficient EV 56.3 0 $19.69 $9.00
EV Truck/SUV 90 1 $31.50 $14.40

Gas CO2

79 kg

EV CO2

26 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 20, 2026

Origin

Blue Springs, MO

Late night in Blue Springs on Tuesday

Local time

3:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clayton, MO

Late night in Clayton on Tuesday

Local time

3:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

55°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

9 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 20m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly local drive with a turn-heavy profile for this route. While the highway share is 0%, meaning you won't be on major interstates for extended periods, the duration suggests a steady pace. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the 'turn-heavy local drive' descriptor implies frequent adjustments and navigation through various local roads. This suggests a driving experience that requires consistent attention to your surroundings rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. You'll likely encounter a mix of town and county roads.

Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 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?

7/10

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 Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 225 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 191.4 miles (I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 225 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

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 Clayton, 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 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 191.4 miles (I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Clayton, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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