Origin
Creve Coeur, MO
Night in Creve Coeur on Saturday
Local time
9:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Creve Coeur, MO to Independence, MO
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 25m
Distance
229.6 mi
369 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 13m
★
6 AM
4h 26m
8 AM
4h 52m
10 AM
4h 35m
12 PM
4h 32m
3 PM
4h 36m
5 PM
4h 51m
8 PM
4h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Creve Coeur, MO
Chris Duan
Independence, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Creve Coeur to Independence is 229.6 miles and takes about 4 hours 25 minutes via Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, taking you from one part of the Midwest to another. While primarily highway driving, expect a route that involves frequent turns, suggesting a more dynamic journey than a straight interstate cruise. It's a solid choice for a single-day trip, offering a manageable distance and duration for a quick getaway within the state.
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
114.8 miles from Creve Coeur, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m 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 | 25.4 mi | 30m |
| South Noland Road | 3 mi | 5m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| 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
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Creve Coeur, MO and Independence, MO.
1
Start on North Graeser Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Graeser Road
2
Turn right onto Ladue Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Ladue Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
Toward I 270 South
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 270
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
I 270
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 12
Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Saint Louis, Wentzville
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
Use the slight right lane.
7
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
this road
Exit 12
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
8
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi
·
30 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit onto US 40
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 40
Exit 1A
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi
·
58 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
15
Continue on I 70; US 40
52 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
16
Continue on I 70
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
17
Continue on I 70
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 12
Toward Noland Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
South Noland Road
20
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
466 ft
·
22 sec
·
East Walnut Street
21
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
394 ft
·
22 sec
·
South Lynn Street
22
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
145 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Kansas Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
East Kansas Avenue
Trip Plan
Given this is a 1-day trip covering 229.6 miles, you have plenty of flexibility. Aiming for a morning departure from Creve Coeur will allow you to comfortably reach Independence within the 4-hour 25-minute estimated drive time. The estimated fuel cost of $36 is based on the 229.6 miles, so keep that in mind for your budget. With a longest stretch of 80.7 miles, plan for a fuel or rest stop around the halfway point to break up the drive and stay refreshed. Pay close attention to navigation due to the 'turn-heavy' nature of this route.
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 114.8 miles from Creve Coeur, MO, or about 2h 19m 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 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.8 miles or 2h 19m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Independence, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Creve Coeur, 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 Creve Coeur, MO
This is one driving day of about 229.6 miles and 4h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Creve Coeur, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
115 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 114.8 miles from Creve Coeur, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 226.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 270 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 270 South
8
2.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Saint Louis, Wentzville
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 12
Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Saint Louis, Wentzvi...
9
2.8 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Went...
8
28.6 mi into trip
|
~36m 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
7
226.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 19m in
Take the exit toward Noland Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12
Toward Noland Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.90 one way
$71.79 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
80 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $39.41 | $78.82 |
| premium | $4.89 | $44.18 | $88.37 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.69 | $101.39 |
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: 80.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.9 | 0 | $24.11 | $11.02 |
| Efficient EV | 57.4 | 0 | $20.09 | $9.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 91.8 | 1 | $32.14 | $14.69 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Destination
Independence, MO
Night in Independence on Saturday
Local time
9:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°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
15 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 25m 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?
This drive is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' despite its significant highway mileage. With 100% of the route on highways, including the Dwight D Eisenhower Highway and U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, you'll be on paved roads for the entire journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch measures 80.7 miles on the Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, offering a period of consistent travel. However, the 'turn-heavy' profile indicates that you should anticipate frequent changes in direction, even while on these main routes, making for an engaging drive.
Only 1% 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?
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 1.8 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 13 significant decision points across 229.6 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 1.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 25m. Total distance: 229.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
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.
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 Independence, 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 1.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Independence, 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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