Blue Springs, MO to Flat River, MO is 281.2 miles and takes about 5h 24m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and US 67, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a drive that primarily uses surface roads, offering a more grounded perspective as you travel between these two points. With a recommended one-day drive, this route is a straightforward option for getting from point A to point B.
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
140.6 miles from Blue Springs, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m 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
US 67
26.4 mi
30m
Avenue of the Saints
25.1 mi
30m
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
18.3 mi
19m
I 270
11.5 mi
14m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.9 mi
2m
North Desloge Drive
1.9 mi
2m
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 Flat River, 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
18 mi·19 min·Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 174BToward US 67 South: Farmington, Poplar Bluff
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
25
Enter roundabout onto US 67
30 ft·0 sec·US 67
26
Continue on US 67
26 mi·30 min·US 67
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward US 67 Business, MO 8: Desloge, Park Hills
28
Turn right onto US 67 Business; MO 8
350 ft·7 sec·US 67 Business; MO 8
29
Turn left onto US 67 Business; MO 8
1.9 mi·2 min·North Desloge Drive
30
Continue on US 67 Business
0.9 mi·1 min·Taylor Avenue
31
Continue on US 67 Business
380 ft·13 sec·Coffman Street
32
Turn left onto US 67 Business
0.3 mi·31 sec·West Main Street
33
Turn left onto Crane Street
306 ft·8 sec·Crane Street
34
Arrive at destination
Crane Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, starting in the morning from Blue Springs, MO, will allow you ample time to reach Flat River, MO, before evening. The route involves a single recommended stop, so plan for that break midway to stretch and refuel. With a fuel cost estimated around $50, it's wise to fill up before departing or at your planned stop. Since this is a manageable one-day drive, you have flexibility in your departure time, but sticking to daylight hours is advised given the surface road sections.
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 140.6 miles from Blue Springs, MO, or about 2h 37m 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 62 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.6 miles or 2h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Flat River, 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 281.2 miles and 5h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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.
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 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
$41.53 one way
$83.05 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$45.84
$91.69
premium
$4.72
$52.21
$104.42
diesel
$4.80
$53.10
$106.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.4
1
$29.53
$13.50
Efficient EV
70.3
0
$24.61
$11.25
EV Truck/SUV
112.5
1
$39.37
$18.00
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Blue Springs, MO
Late night
in Blue Springs on Sunday
Local time
1:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
SSW 7 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 8:35PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Flat River, MO
Late night
in Flat River on Sunday
Local time
1:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
SW 3 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 8:35PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM 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
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
5h 24m 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...
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 261.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on surface roads, with only 14% of the route utilizing highways. You'll cover 131.6 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which is the longest continuous stretch. After this, you'll transition to surface streets, so anticipate more frequent intersections and varying speed limits as you approach your destination. The profile suggests a more local driving experience for a significant portion of the trip.
Only 14% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
34 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 20 significant decision points across 281.2 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 ft433 ft
Total Climb
542 ft
Total Descent
787 ft
Highest Point
974 ft
Elevation Range
541 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 Flat River, MO, road signs point toward Memphis and Poplar Bluff.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 24m. Total distance: 281.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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.
Yes — we found about 33 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Flat River, 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. There are 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 — Gateway Arch National Park and Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Flat River, MO before the return drive.
