Connecting De Soto to East Independence covers 264.9 miles across the Missouri Midwest, typically requiring about 4 hours and 16 minutes of driving time. Because this is a single-day trip, you can easily complete the journey in one sitting without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $40 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating this route involves a blend of North Main Street, MO 21 North, and MO 141. Since the entire drive stays within the state of Missouri, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout your travel.
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
131.8 miles from De Soto, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m 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
MO 21
23.9 mi
28m
Avenue of the Saints
22.1 mi
26m
MO 141
15.3 mi
23m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2 mi
2m
South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between De Soto, MO and East Independence, MO.
1
Start on Easton Street
435 ft·24 sec·Easton Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto North Main Street
1.4 mi·2 min·North Main Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto MO 110
1.5 mi·1 min·MO 110
4
At end of road, turn right onto MO 21
406 ft·6 sec·MO 21
5
Continue on MO 21
3.8 mi·5 min·MO 21
6
Turn left onto MO 21; MO B
0.4 mi·35 sec·MO 21; MO B
7
Continue on MO 21
20 mi·22 min·MO 21
Toward MO 21 North: Saint Louis
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·24 sec
Toward MO 141: Arnold, Fenton
9
Turn left onto MO 141
4.0 mi·5 min·MO 141
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 141
11 mi·17 min·MO 141
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Take the exit
133 ft·7 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
12
Turn left
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
13
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
22 mi·26 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
14
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.
15
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
16
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
17
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
18
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
19
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi·58 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
20
Continue on I 70; US 40
52 mi·56 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 17Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall EntranceUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi·3 min·South Little Blue Parkway
23
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
0.2 mi·37 sec·East R.D. Mize Road
24
Turn right onto South Jackson Drive
1.2 mi·2 min·South Jackson Drive
25
Turn straight onto Holke Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Holke Road
26
Turn left onto East Truman Road
0.7 mi·1 min·East Truman Road
27
Turn right onto Main Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Main Road
28
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
79 ft·3 sec·East 9th Street South
29
Arrive at destination
East 9th Street South
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour and 16 minute duration, planning for at least one stop is essential to keep your energy levels up. Aim to depart early in the day to avoid the fatigue that can come with navigating technical, turn-heavy local roads during evening hours. Since you will spend about $40 on fuel, check your tank before leaving De Soto to ensure you aren't forced to stop in unfamiliar areas. Flexibility is a major advantage here, as the lack of highway segments allows you to adjust your pace or route as needed. Keep a close eye on your navigation, as the reliance on MO 21 and MO 141 requires frequent adjustments compared to a standard interstate highway.
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 131.8 miles from De Soto, MO, or about 2h 44m 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 58 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.8 miles or 2h 44m 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 17m
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 De Soto, 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 De Soto, MO
This is one driving day of about 263.6 miles and 5h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from De Soto, 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 258.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.4 mi into trip|~2m in|MO 110
At end of road, turn left onto MO 110
Navigation decision point
5
26.9 mi into trip|~33m in
Take the exit toward MO 141: Arnold, Fenton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MO 141: Arnold, Fenton
6
31.2 mi into trip|~39m in|MO 141
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 141
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
64.9 mi into trip|~1h 25m 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
258.4 mi into trip|~5h 2m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.21 one way
$82.42 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$45.25
$90.50
premium
$4.89
$50.73
$101.45
diesel
$5.61
$58.20
$116.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.1
0
$27.68
$12.65
Efficient EV
65.9
0
$23.07
$10.54
EV Truck/SUV
105.4
1
$36.90
$16.87
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
De Soto, MO
Late night
in De Soto on Tuesday
Local time
5:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
East Independence, MO
Late night
in East Independence on Tuesday
Local time
5:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
9 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 14m 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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
$19
near mile 27.3
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...
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 that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this route relies on local roads rather than high-speed highways, resulting in a 0% highway share. You will navigate a series of technical segments that keep the pace varied and engaging. Because the path is composed entirely of local transit, you will find frequent changes in road conditions rather than long, uninterrupted stretches. Prepare for a hands-on driving experience that prioritizes local navigation over highway cruising.
Only 16% 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?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near MO 110.
Driving Effort6/10
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 263.6 miles you will encounter 19 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 1.4 miles (MO 110): Navigation decision point; at 26.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.2 miles (MO 141): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from De Soto, MO to East Independence, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Fenton along the way.
Fenton
26.9 mi in|~33m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 14m. Total distance: 263.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 14m 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 31 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 East 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. There are 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (MO 110): Navigation decision point; at 26.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.2 miles (MO 141): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at East Independence, MO before the return drive.
