Blue Springs, MO to Maplewood, MO is 225.4 miles and takes about 4h 20m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. The route primarily follows surface roads, offering a more local driving experience than a pure interstate trip. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, it's a straightforward drive for a single day.
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
112.7 miles from Blue Springs, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 4m 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
4.9 mi
6m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.9 mi
2m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi
1m
South Big Bend Boulevard
1.1 mi
2m
Southwest 15th Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 131.6 mi, about 2h 29m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,319 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,912
Quietest
1 AM
~234 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Maplewood, 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
28 mi·33 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Continue on I 64; US 40
4.9 mi·6 min·Daniel Boone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 33AToward Big Bend BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
192 ft·4 sec
Toward Big Bend BoulevardUse the left / right lanes.
18
Turn slight right onto South Big Bend Boulevard
1.1 mi·2 min·South Big Bend Boulevard
19
Turn right onto MO 100
430 ft·12 sec·Manchester Road
20
Arrive at destination
MO 100
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 20m drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Maplewood, MO, well before evening. Plan for your single recommended stop to break up the 131.6-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. With a fuel cost estimated at $36, keep an eye on your gauge, especially before heading into longer stretches between towns. Since it's a single-day drive, you have flexibility in your departure 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 112.7 miles from Blue Springs, MO, or about 2h 4m 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 112.7 miles or 2h 4m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Maplewood, 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 225.4 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 224.2 — 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
224 mi into trip|~4h 16m in
Take the exit toward Big Bend Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 33A
Toward Big Bend Boulevard
8
224.2 mi into trip|~4h 17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Big Bend Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward Big Bend Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.60 one way
$75.20 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$40.86
$81.73
premium
$5.26
$46.67
$93.34
diesel
$6.18
$54.83
$109.67
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: 78.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.6
0
$23.67
$10.82
Efficient EV
56.4
0
$19.72
$9.02
EV Truck/SUV
90.2
1
$31.56
$14.43
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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Blue Springs, MO
Morning
in Blue Springs on Sunday
Local time
7:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
S 0 to 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:40AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Destination
Maplewood, MO
Morning
in Maplewood on Sunday
Local time
7:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Sunny
NE 1 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:40AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill 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
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.
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
$19
near mile 225.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on surface roads, but there are some highway segments. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway accounts for the longest stretch at 131.6 miles. Expect a mix of cruising and navigating through towns, as the profile is mostly surface roads. The U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway and Avenue of the Saints also play a role in this 225.4-mile drive.
Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 225.4 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 225.4 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 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 Maplewood, 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.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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 Maplewood, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
