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Trip from East Independence, MO to Winchester, 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

225.7 mi

363 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 12m ★
6 AM
4h 25m
8 AM
4h 52m
10 AM
4h 34m
12 PM
4h 32m
3 PM
4h 36m
5 PM
4h 50m
8 PM
4h 17m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown East Independence, MO, MO

East Independence, MO

Momo King

Downtown Winchester, MO, MO

Winchester, MO

Cats Coming

Trip Overview

East Independence, MO to Winchester, MO is 225.7 miles and takes about 4h 25m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Midwest, taking you across Missouri on a mix of major highways. It's a solid option for a single-day trip, offering a straightforward drive without extensive detours. Consider this journey if you're looking for an efficient way to travel between these two points without needing an overnight stay.

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

112.9 miles from East Independence, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 135.3 mi 2h 34m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway 54.4 mi 58m
Avenue of the Saints 22 mi 26m
MO 141 3.2 mi 5m
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
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 Winchester, 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 17 Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance Use 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 210A Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
17

Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61

22 mi · 26 min · Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Exit 22 Toward MO 141 Use the slight right lane.
19

Turn right

185 ft · 5 sec
Toward MO 141: Manchester
20

Merge onto MO 141

3.2 mi · 5 min · MO 141
Use the right lane.
21

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward MO 100
22

Keep slight right at fork

305 ft · 10 sec
Toward MO 100
23

Merge onto MO 100

1.0 mi · 2 min · Manchester Road
24

Turn left onto Solley Drive

0.2 mi · 41 sec · Solley Drive
25

Keep slight left at fork

242 ft · 17 sec
26

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 4h 25m duration, starting your drive in the morning from East Independence will allow ample time to reach Winchester comfortably. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your break strategically along the longest stretch of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway to maximize your driving time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $35, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially before heading into less populated areas. This is a manageable one-day trip, so you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your preferences.

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 112.9 miles from East Independence, MO, or about 2h 7m 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 50 miles or 59m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 112.9 miles or 2h 7m 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 32m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Winchester, 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 225.7 miles and 4h 25m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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.

Downtown Fulton, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Fulton, MO

113 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

Warrensburg, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Columbia, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 112.9 miles from East Independence, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135.3 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 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 224.5 — 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
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...
7
220.8 mi into trip | ~4h 15m in

Take the exit toward MO 141

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 22 Toward MO 141
6
224.5 mi into trip | ~4h 21m in

Keep slight right at fork toward MO 100

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward MO 100

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.29 one way

$70.57 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 79 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $38.74 $77.48
premium $4.89 $43.43 $86.87
diesel $5.61 $49.83 $99.66

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$35

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 79 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 67.7 0 $23.70 $10.83
Efficient EV 56.4 0 $19.75 $9.03
EV Truck/SUV 90.3 1 $31.60 $14.44

Gas CO2

79 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (67% 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

Late night in East Independence on Sunday

Local time

1:03 AM

CDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Winchester, MO

Late night in Winchester on Sunday

Local time

1:03 AM

CDT

Current temp

80°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

24 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Gateway Arch National Park

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...

18 mi from route ~46 min detour $19 near mile 225.7
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive has a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll encounter numerous intersections and changes in direction. While it utilizes major roads like the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, and Avenue of the Saints, these are not exclusively interstate stretches. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 135.3 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, offering some periods of consistent travel before transitioning to more varied road conditions. Expect a driving experience that requires attention to navigation due to the frequent turns.

Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 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?

8/10

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 early in the drive near Main Road.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 225.7 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: near the start (Main Road): Navigation decision point; 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.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 25m. Total distance: 225.7 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 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.

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 Winchester, 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: near the start (Main Road): Navigation decision point; 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.

Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Winchester, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Winchester, MO to East Independence, MO

Plan the drive back the other way.

226.2 mi 4h 26m

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