Gladstone, MO to Chesterfield, MO is 233.5 miles and takes about 4h 33m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, offering a familiar landscape as you travel across Missouri. It's primarily a surface road experience, so expect a more grounded drive than a pure interstate cruise. With a recommended single day of travel, this route is manageable for a quick trip or a segment of a larger adventure.
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
116.7 miles from Gladstone, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m 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
16.6 mi
19m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
5.6 mi
6m
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
4.4 mi
5m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.9 mi
2m
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi
2m
Northeast Chouteau Trafficway
1.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 135.3 mi, about 2h 34m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 54 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,890 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,438
Quietest
1 AM
~270 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Gladstone, MO and Chesterfield, MO.
1
Start on North Garfield Avenue
413 ft·20 sec·North Garfield Avenue
2
Turn right onto Northeast 61st Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Northeast 61st Street
3
Turn right onto MO 1
0.7 mi·1 min·North Antioch Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto Northeast Chouteau Trafficway
1.7 mi·3 min·Northeast Chouteau Trafficway
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on MO 269
1.6 mi·2 min·Northeast Chouteau Parkway
6
Continue on MO 269
1.7 mi·2 min·North Chouteau Trafficway
7
Turn left onto East Front Street
1.2 mi·2 min·East Front Street
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 435 South: Grandview
9
Merge onto I 435
4.4 mi·5 min·Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24
0.3 mi·23 sec·US 24
Exit 63Toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Kansas City, Sports Complex
11
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·1 min
Toward I 70 East: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
469 ft·11 sec
Toward I 70 East: Saint LouisUse the slight left / straight lanes.
32 mi·34 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi·24 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
20
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
21
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
22
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
23
Continue on I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
24
Take the exit onto US 40
0.3 mi·33 sec·US 40
Exit 210AToward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
25
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
17 mi·19 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 17Toward Boone's CrossingUse the slight right lane.
27
Turn right onto Boone's Crossing
0.1 mi·21 sec·Boone's Crossing
Use the right lane.
28
Turn left onto Chesterfield Airport Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Chesterfield Airport Road
29
Turn slight right
212 ft·7 sec
Toward Baxter RoadUse the right lane.
30
Turn slight right onto Baxter Road
0.3 mi·33 sec·Baxter Road
Use the right lane.
31
Turn left onto Old Chesterfield Road
0.2 mi·40 sec·Old Chesterfield Road
32
Turn right onto Santa Maria Drive
107 ft·4 sec·Santa Maria Drive
33
Arrive at destination
Santa Maria Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 33m estimated drive time, leaving Gladstone, MO in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the 135.3-mile longest stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, keep an eye on local traffic patterns, especially as you approach Chesterfield, MO. Budget around $37 for fuel, and ensure you have a full tank before departing, as the route is mostly surface roads with potential for slower travel.
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 116.7 miles from Gladstone, MO, or about 2h 14m 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 51 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.7 miles or 2h 14m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chesterfield, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gladstone, 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 Gladstone, MO
This is one driving day of about 233.5 miles and 4h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Gladstone, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 231.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|MO 1 / North Antioch Road
Turn right onto MO 1 / North Antioch Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
11.9 mi into trip|~20m in|US 24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24 toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Kansas City, Sports Complex
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 63
Toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Ka...
7
12.2 mi into trip|~20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
7
13.4 mi into trip|~22m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
7
231.5 mi into trip|~4h 29m in
Take the exit toward Boone's Crossing
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 17
Toward Boone's Crossing
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.95 one way
$77.90 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$42.50
$85.00
premium
$5.25
$48.29
$96.58
diesel
$6.28
$57.69
$115.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.1
0
$24.52
$11.21
Efficient EV
58.4
0
$20.43
$9.34
EV Truck/SUV
93.4
1
$32.69
$14.94
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Gladstone, MO
Morning
in Gladstone on Thursday
Local time
6:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Partly Sunny
SSE 7 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Chesterfield, MO
Morning
in Chesterfield on Thursday
Local time
6:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Areas Of Fog then Sunny
SE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
67°F
Columbia, MO
117 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
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
4h 33m 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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
$19
near mile 233.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly surface roads, with 100% of the drive not on major highways. You'll experience a consistent stretch of 135.3 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a steady pace with frequent intersections and local traffic as you navigate through towns and communities. The profile suggests a drive more akin to cruising through populated areas rather than high-speed interstate travel.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 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 around 0.4 miles in near MO 1 / North Antioch Road.
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 20 significant decision points across 233.5 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 0.4 miles (MO 1 / North Antioch Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.9 miles (US 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
963 ft727 ft
Total Climb
25 ft
Total Descent
236 ft
Highest Point
963 ft
~16.8 mi in
Elevation Range
236 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gladstone, MO and Chesterfield, MO, road signs point toward Kansas City and Sports Complex.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 33m. Total distance: 233.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 33m 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.
Yes — we found about 34 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.
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 Chesterfield, 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. There are 34 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (MO 1 / North Antioch Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.9 miles (US 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Chesterfield, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
