East Independence, MO to Gray Summit, MO is 218.1 miles and takes about 4h 20m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. You'll be driving within the Midwest region for this entire trip, staying within Missouri. This route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, suggesting you'll encounter more frequent navigation changes than a pure interstate journey. Given the relatively short duration and distance, this trip is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing for a relaxed pace and flexibility in your schedule.
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
109.1 miles from East Independence, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
118.5 mi
2h 11m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
MO 47
23.4 mi
35m
MO 100
9.1 mi
12m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.9 mi
2m
South Little Blue Parkway
1.7 mi
3m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi
1m
I 44
1.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 118.5 mi, about 2h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Independence, MO and Gray Summit, MO.
1
Start on East 9th Street South
79 ft·8 sec·East 9th Street South
2
Turn left onto Main Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Main Road
3
Turn left onto East Truman Road
0.7 mi·1 min·East Truman Road
4
Turn right onto Holke Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Holke Road
5
Turn straight onto South Jackson Drive
1.2 mi·2 min·South Jackson Drive
6
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
0.2 mi·37 sec·East R.D. Mize Road
7
Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway
1.7 mi·3 min·South Little Blue Parkway
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 17Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall EntranceUse the left lane.
9
Continue on I 70
53 mi·56 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
10
Continue on I 70; US 40
32 mi·34 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi·24 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' 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
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
15
Continue on I 70; US 40
64 mi·1 hr 12 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 193Toward MO 47: Warrenton, Hawk Point
17
Turn right onto MO 47
23 mi·35 min·MO 47
18
Turn left onto East 5th Street
0.9 mi·2 min·East 5th Street
19
Turn right onto International Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·International Avenue
20
Turn left onto MO 100
9.1 mi·12 min·MO 100
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
21
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 44 East, US 50 East: Saint Louis
22
Merge onto I 44; US 50
1.4 mi·1 min·I 44; US 50
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 253Toward I 44 Business, MO 100 East: Gray SummitUse the slight right lane.
24
Turn left onto MO 100
0.6 mi·1 min·Manchester Road
Use the straight lane.
25
Arrive at destination
MO 100
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over 4 hours, this is a comfortable one-day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time for any unexpected delays or spontaneous stops along the way. The estimated fuel cost is $34, so ensure your tank is full before leaving East Independence, MO, as there's only one recommended stop. Keep an eye on your navigation as you approach Gray Summit, MO, given the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile; relying solely on GPS is advised to manage the frequent directional changes effectively.
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 109.1 miles from East Independence, MO, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.5 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 48 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.1 miles or 2h 3m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gray Summit, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving East Independence, 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 East Independence, MO
This is one driving day of about 218.1 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from East Independence, 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 118.5 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 217.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Main Road
Turn left onto Main Road
Navigation decision point
8
5 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the ramp toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 17
Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall E...
6
181.7 mi into trip|~3h 25m in
Take the exit toward MO 47: Warrenton, Hawk Point
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 193
Toward MO 47: Warrenton, Hawk Point
6
215.8 mi into trip|~4h 17m in
Take the ramp toward I 44 East, US 50 East: Saint Louis
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 44 East, US 50 East: Saint Louis
8
217.4 mi into trip|~4h 19m in
Take the exit toward I 44 Business, MO 100 East: Gray Summit
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 253
Toward I 44 Business, MO 100 East: Gray Summit
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.10 one way
$68.19 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$37.44
$74.88
premium
$4.89
$41.97
$83.94
diesel
$5.61
$48.15
$96.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.4
0
$22.90
$10.47
Efficient EV
54.5
0
$19.08
$8.72
EV Truck/SUV
87.2
1
$30.53
$13.96
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
26 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 15, 2026
Origin
East Independence, MO
Night
in East Independence on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gray Summit, MO
Night
in Gray Summit on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°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
21 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a blend of highway and local roads, with about 16% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you should anticipate frequent turns and potentially slower speeds as you navigate through smaller towns and local routes. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 118.5 miles, primarily on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. This indicates a significant portion of the drive will be on a more direct, albeit potentially less varied, road before transitioning to more local segments.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.5 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main Road.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 20m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Main Road): Navigation decision point; at 5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 181.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 East Independence, MO to Gray Summit, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Hawk Point along the way.
Hawk Point
181.7 mi in|~3h 25m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 218.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 118.5 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: near the start (Main Road): Navigation decision point; at 5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 181.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Gray Summit, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
