This 232.3-mile journey from Clayton, MO, to East Independence, MO, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 4 hours and 32 minutes. You'll primarily navigate the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, with highways making up 2% of the total route. With an estimated fuel cost of $36 and only one recommended stop, this drive offers a straightforward Midwest transit experience. It's a practical option if you're looking to cover ground efficiently within Missouri.
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
116.1 miles from Clayton, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m 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
27.8 mi
33m
Daniel Boone Expressway
3.4 mi
4m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2 mi
2m
South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi
3m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clayton, MO and East Independence, MO.
1
Start on Hillvale Drive
178 ft·7 sec·Hillvale Drive
2
Turn left onto Wydown Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·Wydown Boulevard
3
At end of road, turn left onto South Hanley Road
0.9 mi·1 min·South Hanley Road
4
Turn right onto North Service Road
0.6 mi·1 min·North Service Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·26 sec·this road
Toward I 64 West, US 40 WestUse the left / straight lanes.
6
Merge onto I 64; US 40
3.4 mi·4 min·Daniel Boone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on I 64; US 40; US 61
28 mi·33 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
8
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.
9
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
10
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi·58 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
52 mi·56 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 17Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall EntranceUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi·3 min·South Little Blue Parkway
17
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
0.2 mi·37 sec·East R.D. Mize Road
18
Turn right onto South Jackson Drive
1.2 mi·2 min·South Jackson Drive
19
Turn straight onto Holke Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Holke Road
20
Turn left onto East Truman Road
0.7 mi·1 min·East Truman Road
21
Turn right onto Main Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Main Road
22
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
79 ft·3 sec·East 9th Street South
23
Arrive at destination
East 9th Street South
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 32-minute duration, this route is best tackled as a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility with departure times. Plan for your single recommended stop strategically to break up the drive, especially considering the turn-heavy nature of the route. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, with an estimated cost of $36 for the 232.3 miles, and ensure you're prepared for potentially slower speeds and more frequent turns as you approach your destination in East Independence. The 80.7-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is your best opportunity for more consistent progress.
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 116.1 miles from Clayton, MO, or about 2h 21m 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 51 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.1 miles or 2h 21m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Independence, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clayton, 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 Clayton, MO
This is one driving day of about 232.3 miles and 4h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Clayton, 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 232.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|South Hanley Road
At end of road, turn left onto South Hanley Road
Navigation decision point
5
2.4 mi into trip|~5m in|I 64; US 40 / Daniel Boone Expressway
Merge onto I 64; US 40 / Daniel Boone Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
33.6 mi into trip|~43m 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
227.1 mi into trip|~4h 21m in
Take the exit toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance
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 17
Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall E...
5
232.2 mi into trip|~4h 32m in|East 9th Street South
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.32 one way
$72.63 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$39.88
$79.75
premium
$4.89
$44.70
$89.41
diesel
$5.61
$51.29
$102.58
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: 81.3 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
69.7
0
$24.39
$11.15
Efficient EV
58.1
0
$20.33
$9.29
EV Truck/SUV
92.9
1
$32.52
$14.87
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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 16, 2026
Origin
Clayton, MO
Late night
in Clayton on Sunday
Local time
2:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
East Independence, MO
Late night
in East Independence on Sunday
Local time
2:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Sunny
S 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 16 at 12:30PM CDT until April 16 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 12:23PM CDT by NWS Springfield 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
25 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 32m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for much of this 4.5-hour trip. While highways are present, they constitute a small portion of the overall route, suggesting more time spent on varied local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 80.7 miles along the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, offering a period of more consistent travel before transitioning back to more intricate local navigation. This profile means you'll likely experience frequent changes in speed and scenery as you traverse different communities.
Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 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?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near South Hanley Road.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 232.3 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (South Hanley Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles (I 64; US 40 / Daniel Boone Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.6 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 32m. Total distance: 232.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (2%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (South Hanley Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles (I 64; US 40 / Daniel Boone Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.6 miles (US 40): 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 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at East Independence, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
