This 237.4-mile drive from Excelsior Springs, MO to Castle Point, MO takes approximately 3 hours and 44 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day road trip. With a fuel cost estimated at $36, it’s an economical journey through the Midwest. The route primarily utilizes Isley Boulevard and MO 13 South, offering a local feel rather than extensive highway cruising. You'll find this trip to be a turn-heavy local drive, so plan for frequent adjustments. Considering its duration and the number of turns, it’s well-suited for one day of exploration.
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
118.4 miles from Excelsior Springs, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
124.7 mi
2h 26m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
South Spartan Drive
24.5 mi
30m
Isley Boulevard
13.9 mi
20m
I 270
9 mi
11m
MO 10
2.6 mi
3m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.9 mi
2m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 124.7 mi, about 2h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Excelsior Springs, MO and Castle Point, MO.
1
Start on South Thompson Avenue
105 ft·6 sec·South Thompson Avenue
2
Turn left onto MO 10
14 mi·20 min·Isley Boulevard
3
Turn left onto MO 10
2.6 mi·3 min·MO 10
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward MO 13: Polo, Henrietta
5
Keep slight right at fork
157 ft·4 sec
Toward MO 13 South: Henrietta
6
Merge onto MO 13
25 mi·30 min·South Spartan Drive
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Columbia
8
Merge onto I 70; US 40
20 mi·21 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
9
Continue on I 70; US 40
32 mi·34 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi·24 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
103 mi·2 hr 2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·12 sec
Exit 232Toward I 270: Chicago, MemphisUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·36 sec
Toward I 270 North: ChicagoUse the slight left lane.
17
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·18 sec·this road
Exit 232Toward I 270 North: Chicago
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 270 North: ChicagoUse the straight lane.
19
Merge onto I 270
9.0 mi·11 min·I 270
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 30Toward AC: New Halls Ferry Road, Old Halls Ferry Road
21
Turn straight onto Pershall Road
0.3 mi·48 sec·Pershall Road
22
Turn right onto MO AC
0.6 mi·57 sec·New Halls Ferry Road
23
Continue on MO AC
0.3 mi·35 sec·Halls Ferry Road
24
Turn left onto Hudson Drive
0.3 mi·1 min·Hudson Drive
25
Turn right onto Edgefield Drive
0.3 mi·1 min·Edgefield Drive
26
Turn left onto Duchess Drive
0.2 mi·56 sec·Duchess Drive
27
Turn left onto Lord Drive
284 ft·12 sec·Lord Drive
28
Arrive at destination
Lord Drive
Trip Plan
Since this drive is only 3 hours and 44 minutes and covers 237.4 miles, you have the flexibility to depart at your leisure. Aim to start your journey in Excelsior Springs, MO, considering the estimated fuel cost of $36 for the trip. With only one recommended stop, you can choose a point that best suits your needs along MO 13 South. Pay close attention to the frequent turns characteristic of this route; it’s not a high-speed highway cruise, so anticipate needing to adjust your speed and direction often. A good tip is to pre-program your GPS with all turns to avoid last-minute surprises.
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 118.4 miles from Excelsior Springs, MO, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 124.7 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 52 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.4 miles or 2h 18m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Castle Point, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Excelsior Springs, 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 Excelsior Springs, MO
This is one driving day of about 236.7 miles and 4h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Excelsior Springs, 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 124.7 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 41.5 and 234.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
41.5 mi into trip|~55m in
Take the exit toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Columbia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Columbia
8
224.3 mi into trip|~4h 24m 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 232
Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
7
224.5 mi into trip|~4h 24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 270 North: Chicago
8
225.2 mi into trip|~4h 25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 270 North: Chicago
6
234.4 mi into trip|~4h 37m in
Take the exit toward AC: New Halls Ferry Road, Old Halls Ferry Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 30
Toward AC: New Halls Ferry Road, Old Halls Ferr...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.01 one way
$74.01 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$40.63
$81.26
premium
$4.89
$45.55
$91.10
diesel
$5.61
$52.26
$104.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71
0
$24.85
$11.36
Efficient EV
59.2
0
$20.71
$9.47
EV Truck/SUV
94.7
1
$33.14
$15.15
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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
Excelsior Springs, MO
Night
in Excelsior Springs on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Castle Point, MO
Night
in Castle Point on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°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
4 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 43m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly interactive driving experience on this route, as it's characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive' with zero highway share. You'll be navigating local roads for the entire 237.4 miles, meaning a consistent engagement with steering and attention. The absence of long highway stretches means you won't encounter monotonous driving; instead, you'll be actively managing your path for the full 3 hours and 44 minutes. This profile suggests a drive that demands your focus, making the journey itself a significant part of the experience.
Only 5% 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: 124.7 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 around 41.5 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 236.7 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: at 41.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 224.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 224.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Excelsior Springs, MO and Castle Point, MO, road signs point toward Henrietta and Memphis.
Henrietta
16.6 mi in|~23m
Memphis
224.3 mi in|~4h 24m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 43m. Total distance: 236.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 124.7 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 Castle Point, 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 41.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 224.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 224.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Castle Point, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
