Chesterfield, MO to Peculiar, MO is 246.3 miles and takes about 4h 43m via Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, traversing Missouri for its entirety. Expect a drive that primarily utilizes surface roads, offering a more grounded travel experience than a pure interstate run. With only one recommended stop and a comfortable duration, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion.
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
123.2 miles from Chesterfield, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 26m 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
16.8 mi
20m
I 470
15.5 mi
18m
I 49
15.1 mi
16m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2 mi
2m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 17 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,952 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,444
Quietest
1 AM
~261 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.3×
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 Chesterfield, MO and Peculiar, MO.
1
Start on Santa Maria Drive
107 ft·8 sec·Santa Maria Drive
2
Turn left onto Old Chesterfield Road
0.1 mi·32 sec·Old Chesterfield Road
3
Turn right onto Baxter Road
0.3 mi·45 sec·Baxter Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto Chesterfield Airport Road
1.1 mi·1 min·Chesterfield Airport Road
5
Continue on Chesterfield Airport Road
438 ft·8 sec·Chesterfield Airport Road
6
Turn right onto Boone's Crossing
0.2 mi·26 sec·Boone's Crossing
Use the right lane.
7
Take the ramp
167 ft·7 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 NorthUse the left lane.
8
Turn left
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North
9
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
17 mi·20 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
10
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.
11
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi·58 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
Exit 15AToward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's SummitUse the right lane.
19
Merge onto I 470; MO 291
6.4 mi·7 min·I 470; MO 291
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 470
9.2 mi·10 min·I 470
Toward I 470 South: WichitaUse the straight / slight left lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 1Toward I 49, I 435 North, US 71: Joplin, Kansas City, Des MoinesUse the slight left / straight lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·52 sec
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: JoplinUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: JoplinUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 49; US 71
15 mi·16 min·I 49; US 71
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 167Toward MO J, MO C: Peculiar
26
Turn right onto MO C
0.4 mi·48 sec·MO C
27
Turn left
488 ft·41 sec
28
Turn left
113 ft·8 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 43m drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. Since the route is manageable in a single day, you have flexibility in pacing your travel. The longest continuous stretch on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway is 80.7 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition from highway to surface roads, as fueling options might be less frequent.
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 123.2 miles from Chesterfield, MO, or about 2h 26m 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 54 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.2 miles or 2h 26m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Peculiar, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chesterfield, 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 Chesterfield, MO
This is one driving day of about 246.3 miles and 4h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Chesterfield, 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 18.9 and 230.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
18.9 mi into trip|~24m 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
8
213.9 mi into trip|~4h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 15A
Toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
8
229.7 mi into trip|~4h 22m in
Take the exit toward I 49, I 435 North, US 71: Joplin, Kansas City, Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 1
Toward I 49, I 435 North, US 71: Joplin, Kansas...
8
229.8 mi into trip|~4h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
8
230.3 mi into trip|~4h 24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.37 one way
$72.75 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$40.15
$80.31
premium
$4.72
$45.73
$91.46
diesel
$4.80
$46.51
$93.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.9
0
$25.86
$11.82
Efficient EV
61.6
0
$21.55
$9.85
EV Truck/SUV
98.5
1
$34.48
$15.76
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Chesterfield, MO
Late night
in Chesterfield on Sunday
Local time
1:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 to 9 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Peculiar, MO
Late night
in Peculiar on Sunday
Local time
1:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 6 to 10 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
91°F
Columbia, MO
123 mi in
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 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 43m 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?
The majority of this 246.3-mile drive is on surface roads, with only about 13% spent on highways. You'll experience an 80.7-mile stretch on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway before transitioning. This means you'll likely encounter more traffic lights and varied speed limits as you move between towns, rather than sustained high-speed cruising.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 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?
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 18.9 miles in near US 40.
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 246.3 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 18.9 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 213.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 229.7 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
1,011 ft472 ft
Total Climb
890 ft
Total Descent
370 ft
Highest Point
1,011 ft
~228.7 mi in
Elevation Range
538 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Chesterfield, MO and Peculiar, MO, road signs point toward Kansas City and Des Moines.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 43m. Total distance: 246.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 43m 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.
Yes — we found about 32 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 Peculiar, 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 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 18.9 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 213.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 229.7 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 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Peculiar, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
