East Independence, MO to Scott City, MO is 344.9 miles and takes about 6h 34m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, traversing Missouri for its entirety. Expect a drive primarily on surface roads, making it a more grounded experience than a pure interstate cruise. It's a single-day trip that allows for a relaxed pace, with just one recommended stop to break up the 344.9 miles. Consider this route if you prefer a less hurried drive through the heart of 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
172.4 miles from East Independence, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
135.3 mi
2h 34m
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
103.3 mi
1h 50m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
Avenue of the Saints
25.1 mi
30m
I 270
11.5 mi
14m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.9 mi
2m
Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
1.8 mi
2m
South Little Blue Parkway
1.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 135.3 mi, about 2h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Independence, MO and Scott City, 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
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
16
Take the exit onto US 40
0.3 mi·33 sec·US 40
Exit 210AToward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
17
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi·30 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 25Toward I 270: Chicago, MemphisUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward I 270 South: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 270
11 mi·14 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·27 sec
Exit 1AToward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward I 55 South: Memphis
23
Merge onto I 55
1.5 mi·1 min·Rosa Parks Highway
24
Continue on I 55
1.8 mi·2 min·Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
25
Continue on I 55
103 mi·1 hr 50 min·Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit onto US 61 Business
0.2 mi·32 sec·US 61 Business
Exit 89Toward MO K, MO M: Scott City, Chaffee
27
Turn left onto US 61 Business; MO M
1.2 mi·2 min·Main Street
28
Arrive at destination
MO K
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 34m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning will allow ample daylight to reach Scott City, MO. With only one stop recommended, you have flexibility in planning your break. Aim to fuel up before you leave East Independence, MO, as the $54 fuel budget suggests moderate costs for the 344.9 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 135.3-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, to ensure you don't need to search for services in less populated areas. This trip is easily managed in one day, so you can adjust your departure time based on your preferences.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 172.4 miles from East Independence, MO, or about 3h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.3 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 76 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172.4 miles or 3h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scott City, 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 344.9 miles and 6h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 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 135.3 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 5 and 236 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
198.5 mi into trip|~3h 48m in|US 40
Take the exit onto US 40 toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 210A
Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Ches...
8
223.9 mi into trip|~4h 19m in
Take the exit toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
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 25
Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
7
224.2 mi into trip|~4h 20m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 270 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 270 South: Memphis
8
236 mi into trip|~4h 35m in
Take the exit toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.92 one way
$107.84 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg121 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$59.20
$118.41
premium
$4.89
$66.37
$132.75
diesel
$5.61
$76.15
$152.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
103.5
1
$36.21
$16.56
Efficient EV
86.2
0
$30.18
$13.80
EV Truck/SUV
138
1
$48.29
$22.07
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 19, 2026
Origin
East Independence, MO
Late night
in East Independence on Tuesday
Local time
3:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Mostly Clear
WSW 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 8:47PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 8:47PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Scott City, MO
Late night
in Scott City on Tuesday
Local time
3:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°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
32 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
6h 34m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 285.4
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
$19
near mile 237.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route involves 344.9 miles, with highway driving accounting for about 4% of the total distance. You'll spend most of your time on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a main highway, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, is 135.3 miles. After the highway segments, you'll transition to surface roads, likely noticing more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds as you pass through towns.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 135.3 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 5 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 344.9 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 5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.5 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 223.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 Scott City, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Memphis
223.9 mi in|~4h 19m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 34m. Total distance: 344.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 34m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 135.3 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 37 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 Scott City, 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 37 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.5 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 223.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park and Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Scott City, MO before the return drive.
