Elvins to Independence is 292.8 miles and takes about 5h 40m via Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region from start to finish. It’s primarily a surface road drive, making it a more relaxed pace than a full interstate cruise. With only one recommended stop and a duration under six hours, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion.
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
146.4 miles from Elvins, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
80.7 mi
1h 35m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
54.3 mi
58m
US 67
26.6 mi
30m
Avenue of the Saints
25.4 mi
30m
I 55
20.5 mi
22m
I 270
11.5 mi
14m
South Noland Road
3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 27 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,893 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,398
Quietest
1 AM
~270 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elvins, MO and Independence, MO.
1
Start on West Elvins Boulevard
256 ft·14 sec·West Elvins Boulevard
2
At end of road, turn left onto North Front Street
1.0 mi·1 min·North Front Street
3
Continue on Wood Drive
0.1 mi·13 sec·Wood Drive
4
Continue on Municipal Drive
503 ft·13 sec·Municipal Drive
5
Turn right onto West Main Street
77 ft·8 sec·West Main Street
6
Turn left onto Community Drive
527 ft·18 sec·Community Drive
7
At end of road, turn left onto US 67 Business
0.8 mi·1 min·Taylor Avenue
8
Continue on US 67 Business; MO 8
2.0 mi·3 min·South Desloge Drive
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward US 67 North: Saint Louis
10
Merge onto US 67
26 mi·30 min·US 67
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 67
0.3 mi·27 sec·US 67
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
13
Merge onto I 55
21 mi·22 min·I 55
14
Continue on I 55
1.3 mi·1 min·Rosa Parks Highway
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 196Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
388 ft·8 sec
Toward I 270 West: Kansas CityUse the slight left lane.
17
Continue on this road
0.7 mi·1 min·this road
Exit 196Toward I 270 West
18
Merge onto I 270
11 mi·14 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 12Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: WentzvilleUse the slight left lane.
21
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·9 sec·this road
Exit 12Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
22
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi·30 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit onto US 40
0.6 mi·1 min·US 40
Exit 1AToward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas CityUse the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
25
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
26
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
27
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
28
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi·58 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
Exit 12Toward Noland RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3.0 mi·5 min·South Noland Road
34
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
466 ft·22 sec·East Walnut Street
35
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
394 ft·22 sec·South Lynn Street
36
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
145 ft·6 sec·East Kansas Avenue
37
Arrive at destination
East Kansas Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the drive is under six hours, you can comfortably start anytime in the morning and arrive with plenty of daylight. Plan for one stop; the 80.7-mile highway stretch before transitioning to surface roads might be a good point to consider a break. The fuel cost is estimated at $46, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing Elvins. Since this is a single-day route, flexibility is your advantage – you can adjust your pace based on traffic or how you feel.
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 146.4 miles from Elvins, MO, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.7 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 64 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.4 miles or 2h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Independence, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elvins, 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 Elvins, MO
This is one driving day of about 292.8 miles and 5h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Elvins, 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 80.7 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 53.2 and 91.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
53.2 mi into trip|~1h 3m in
Take the exit toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
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 196
Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chi...
8
53.4 mi into trip|~1h 3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
8
65.7 mi into trip|~1h 19m in
Take the exit toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
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 12
Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Lo...
8
65.9 mi into trip|~1h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Went...
8
91.8 mi into trip|~1h 51m in|US 40
Take the exit onto US 40 toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.24 one way
$86.48 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$47.74
$95.47
premium
$4.72
$54.36
$108.73
diesel
$4.80
$55.29
$110.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.8
1
$30.74
$14.05
Efficient EV
73.2
0
$25.62
$11.71
EV Truck/SUV
117.1
1
$40.99
$18.74
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Elvins, MO
Late night
in Elvins on Sunday
Local time
1:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
SW 5 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Independence, MO
Late night
in Independence on Sunday
Local time
1:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
SSW 9 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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
2 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
5h 40m 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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
$19
near mile 60.6
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 30.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You’ll spend about 20% of this drive on highways like the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The longest stretch on this highway is 80.7 miles, offering a good period of consistent cruising. After that, expect to transition to mostly surface roads, which will involve more varied speed limits and potentially more frequent intersections. This means you'll notice a shift from highway speeds to more local traffic patterns as you get closer to your destination.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.7 mi on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 53.2 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 292.8 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 53.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 53.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,034 ft429 ft
Total Climb
919 ft
Total Descent
670 ft
Highest Point
1,034 ft
~292.8 mi in
Elevation Range
605 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Elvins, MO and Independence, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.
Independence, known as the Queen City of the Trails, is a city in western Missouri just east of Kansas City with a population of approximately 110,000. Independence's founding predates that of Kansas City, and it was home to U.S. President Harry S. Truman and the legendary actress Ginger Rogers, as well as the starting point of three of America's great Westward Trails: the Santa Fe Trail, the California Trail, and the Oregon Trail. The city also hosts numerous historical sites related to the Community of Christ (formerly RLDS), Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormons"), American Civil War and Western history.
While offering a full range of entertainment and lodging options for visitors, Independence generally tends to be more "quiet" than its larger neighbor to the west.
Top landmarks
•Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum — presidential library and museum for U.S. President Harry S. Truman, located in I...
•Temple Lot — Geographical location important in Latter Day Saint history
•Harry S. Truman National Historic Site — national Historic Site of the United States in Missouri
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 40m. Total distance: 292.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.7 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 Independence, 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: at 53.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 53.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park and Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Independence, MO before the return drive.
