This 223.1-mile drive from Ferguson, MO to Blue Springs, MO is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 17 minutes. The route is predominantly highway, with 98% of the drive on major interstates like I-70, making it a quick and efficient trip through the Midwest. With a projected fuel cost of around $35, it's an economical option for a day trip. You'll spend most of your time on I-70, covering a significant stretch of 217.7 miles without interruption. This drive is best suited for those prioritizing speed and convenience over scenic 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
111.5 miles from Ferguson, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
217.7 mi
4h 7m
Airport Road
1.8 mi
2m
Inner Belt Expressway
0.8 mi
<1m
Northwest 15th Street
0.5 mi
1m
Northwest R D Mize Road
0.5 mi
1m
MO 7
0.5 mi
1m
North Florissant Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Carson Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 217.7 mi, about 4h 7m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 21 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,737 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,325
Quietest
2 AM
~347 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
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 Ferguson, MO and Blue Springs, MO.
1
Start on Carson Road
119 ft·12 sec·Carson Road
2
Turn left onto MO N
0.3 mi·48 sec·North Florissant Road
3
Turn left onto Airport Road
1.8 mi·2 min·Airport Road
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·19 sec
Toward I 170 South
5
Merge onto I 170
0.8 mi·59 sec·Inner Belt Expressway
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 7BToward I 70 West: Kansas CityUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 70
218 mi·4 hr 7 min·I 70
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 20Toward MO 7: Blue Springs, Lake LotawanaUse the slight right lane.
9
Turn left onto MO 7
0.5 mi·1 min·MO 7
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto Northwest R D Mize Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Northwest R D Mize Road
11
At end of road, turn left onto Northwest 15th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Northwest 15th Street
12
Arrive at destination
Southwest 15th Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 17-minute drive, departing in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic delays. Since it’s a single-day trip, you have flexibility with your stops, but planning one significant break around the halfway point is a good idea. The longest stretch of uninterrupted driving is 217.7 miles on I-70, so ensure you're comfortable with extended periods on the highway. Keep an eye on your fuel; with a cost estimate of $35, it’s manageable, but knowing your vehicle’s range is always wise. A practical tip for this route: utilize the readily available services along I-70 for quick fuel and rest stops, as they are plentiful.
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 111.5 miles from Ferguson, MO, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 217.7 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 49 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.5 miles or 2h 8m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Blue Springs, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ferguson, 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 Ferguson, MO
This is one driving day of about 223.1 miles and 4h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Ferguson, 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 I 70 for about 217.7 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 221.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|Airport Road
Turn left onto Airport Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
3.2 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 7B
Toward I 70 West: Kansas City
5
3.7 mi into trip|~6m in|I 70
Merge onto I 70
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
221.4 mi into trip|~4h 13m in
Take the exit toward MO 7: Blue Springs, Lake Lotawana
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 20
Toward MO 7: Blue Springs, Lake Lotawana
5
221.6 mi into trip|~4h 14m in|MO 7
Turn left onto MO 7
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.95 one way
$65.89 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$36.37
$72.74
premium
$4.72
$41.42
$82.85
diesel
$4.80
$42.13
$84.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.9
0
$23.43
$10.71
Efficient EV
55.8
0
$19.52
$8.92
EV Truck/SUV
89.2
1
$31.23
$14.28
Gas CO2
78 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Ferguson, MO
Late night
in Ferguson on Sunday
Local time
12:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Blue Springs, MO
Late night
in Blue Springs on Sunday
Local time
12:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 7 mph27% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
67°F
Centralia, MO
112 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 17m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the vast majority of this trip, with 98% of the route utilizing major interstates like I-70. The personality of the road is primarily that of a fast-paced, efficient transit corridor. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 217.7 miles on I-70, which forms the backbone of this journey. While the route includes brief segments on Airport Road and the Inner Belt Expressway, these are transitional and quickly lead back to the main highway. This drive offers a consistent driving experience, ideal for covering distance.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 217.7 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and Airport Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Airport Road.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 17m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Airport Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles (I 70): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The longest stretch is about 217.7 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Airport Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles (I 70): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Blue Springs, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
