Origin
East Independence, MO
Late night in East Independence on Sunday
Local time
1:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
East Independence, MO
Momo King
Winchester, MO
Cats Coming
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 .
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between East Independence, MO and Winchester, MO.
Start on East 9th Street South
Turn left onto Main Road
Turn left onto East Truman Road
Turn right onto Holke Road
Turn straight onto South Jackson Drive
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway
Take the ramp
Continue on I 70
Continue on I 70; US 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
Continue on I 70; US 40
Continue on I 70; US 40
Continue on I 70; US 40
Continue on I 70; US 40
Take the exit onto US 40
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
Take the exit
Turn right
Merge onto MO 141
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto MO 100
Turn left onto Solley Drive
Keep slight left at fork
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop 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.
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.
Turn left onto Main Road
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
Take the exit toward MO 141
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward MO 100
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Regular Gas
$35.29 one way
$70.57 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in East Independence on Sunday
Local time
1:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Winchester on Sunday
Local time
1:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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Return Trip
Winchester, MO to East Independence, MOPlan the drive back the other way.
Explore more options from East Independence, MO or browse trips ending in Winchester, MO.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.