East Independence, MO to Saint Peters, MO is 210.9 miles and takes about 4h 3m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Missouri, connecting two points in the Midwest region. It's a single-day trip that’s more about the journey between your start and end points than about stopping at numerous attractions along the way. You'll find this route offers a practical way to cover ground without a significant time commitment, making it ideal for those looking for efficient 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
105.5 miles from East Independence, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
147.1 mi
2h 48m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
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
South Jackson Drive
1.2 mi
2m
Holke Road
0.9 mi
1m
East Truman Road
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 147.1 mi, about 2h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Independence, MO and Saint Peters, 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
93 mi·1 hr 49 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 222AToward Mid Rivers Mall DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
205 ft·4 sec
Toward Mid Rivers Mall DriveUse the slight left lane.
18
Turn straight onto Mid Rivers Mall Drive
198 ft·5 sec·Mid Rivers Mall Drive
19
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·20 sec
Toward I 70 West: WentzvilleUse the slight left lane.
20
Merge onto I 70
479 ft·6 sec·I 70
21
Arrive at destination
I 70
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 3m duration and 210.9-mile distance, this is a comfortable same-day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample daylight for your drive. With only one recommended stop, you can plan this efficiently. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 147.1 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, and consider refueling before you hit that segment if needed. The estimated fuel cost is around $33, so factor that into your budget.
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 105.5 miles from East Independence, MO, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 147.1 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 46 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.5 miles or 1h 59m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Peters, 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 210.9 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 147.1 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 210.6 — 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...
7
210.3 mi into trip|~4h 2m in
Take the exit toward Mid Rivers Mall Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 222A
Toward Mid Rivers Mall Drive
8
210.5 mi into trip|~4h 3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Mid Rivers Mall Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Mid Rivers Mall Drive
6
210.6 mi into trip|~4h 3m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 West: Wentzville
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 70 West: Wentzville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.97 one way
$65.94 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$36.20
$72.40
premium
$4.89
$40.59
$81.17
diesel
$5.61
$46.56
$93.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.3
0
$22.14
$10.12
Efficient EV
52.7
0
$18.45
$8.44
EV Truck/SUV
84.4
1
$29.53
$13.50
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Late night
in East Independence on Sunday
Local time
4:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Peters, MO
Late night
in Saint Peters on Sunday
Local time
4:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Columbia, MO
105 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
1 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 3m 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...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
$19
near mile 210.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive' with a 100% highway share, meaning you'll spend your entire trip on established roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 147.1 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. While it's primarily highway, the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests you might encounter more frequent exits and potentially more complex intersections compared to a simple point-to-point interstate journey. Expect a varied driving experience as you navigate these highways across Missouri.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 147.1 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 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main 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 210.9 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (Main Road): Navigation decision point; at 5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 210.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 3m. Total distance: 210.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (1%). 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 147.1 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 210.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Saint Peters, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
