Wright City Rest Area (Eastbound)
0 mi from route
Trip from Grandview, MO to Saint Charles, MO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 31m
Distance
234.3 mi
377 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 18m
★
6 AM
4h 32m
8 AM
4h 58m
10 AM
4h 41m
12 PM
4h 38m
3 PM
4h 42m
5 PM
4h 57m
8 PM
4h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Grandview, MO
Valeria Boltneva
Saint Charles, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Grandview, MO to Saint Charles, MO is 234.3 miles and takes about 4h 31m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, traversing Missouri for its entirety. Expect a drive that's mostly on surface roads, offering a more local feel than a pure interstate experience. It's a straightforward, single-day trip for those looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B within the state.
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
117.2 miles from Grandview, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 153.3 mi | 2h 56m |
| U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway | 54.4 mi | 58m |
| I 470 | 15.3 mi | 17m |
| I 49 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| First Capitol Drive | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 153.3 mi, about 2h 56m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,930 veh/hr typical · worst 3,487
Quietest
1 AM
~260 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Grandview, MO and Saint Charles, MO.
1
Start on 11th Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
11th Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto High Grove Road
350 ft
·
20 sec
·
High Grove Road
3
Turn left onto 12th Street
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
12th Street
4
Turn right onto Main Street
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Main Street
5
Enter roundabout
390 ft
·
7 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City
6
Continue
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City
7
Merge onto I 49; US 71
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 49; US 71
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 435 West, I 470 East, US 50: Wichita, Lee's Summit
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 470 East, US 50 East: Lee's Summit
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 470; US 50
15 mi
·
17 min
·
I 470; US 50
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 16B
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 70
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
13
Continue on I 70
53 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
32 mi
·
34 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi
·
24 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
16
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
17
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
18
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
19
Continue on I 70; US 40
99 mi
·
1 hr 57 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 228
Toward I 70 Business, MO 94: First Capitol Drive, Lewis and Clark Trail
Use the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 70 Business, MO 94 East: First Capitol Drive, Lindenwood University, SSM Health Saint Joseph Hospital
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto I 70 Business; MO 94
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
First Capitol Drive
23
Turn slight right onto I 70 Business; MO 94
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
I 70 Business; MO 94
Toward MO 94
24
Turn left onto South Second Street
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
South Second Street
25
Arrive at destination
North Second Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 31m estimated drive time, this trip is easily doable in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to take advantage of daylight and allow ample time for any unexpected delays. With only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to make it when you need it, perhaps midway through the 153.3-mile highway stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before leaving major highway sections, as the route is mostly surface roads. The estimated fuel cost of $36 should give you a good baseline for budgeting.
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 117.2 miles from Grandview, MO, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153.3 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 52 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.2 miles or 2h 10m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Charles, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Grandview, 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 Grandview, MO
This is one driving day of about 234.3 miles and 4h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Grandview, 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 153.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
117 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 117.2 miles from Grandview, 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 153.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Concordia Rest Area Eastbound
0 mi from route
Truck Parking
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Wright City Rest Area (Westbound)
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Truck Parking
0.1 mi from route
Concordia Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Boonville Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Boonville Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Betty's Truck Stop
0.1 mi from route
Midway Auto Truck Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Mr. Fuel Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
West Land Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Gasper's
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.9 mi from route
QuikTrip
2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 232.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the exit toward I 435 West, I 470 East, US 50: Wichita, Lee's Summit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 435 West, I 470 East, US 50: Wichita,...
8
3.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 470 East, US 50 East: Lee's Summit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 470 East, US 50 East: Lee's Summit
7
19.2 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Take the exit toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 16B
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
8
232 mi into trip
|
~4h 25m in
Take the exit toward I 70 Business, MO 94: First Capitol Drive, Lewis and Clark Trail
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 228
Toward I 70 Business, MO 94: First Capitol Driv...
9
232.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 Business, MO 94 East: First Capitol Drive, Lindenwood University, SSM Health Saint Joseph Hospital
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 70 Business, MO 94 East: First Capitol...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.59 one way
$73.19 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
82 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.33 | $39.94 | $79.88 |
| premium | $4.69 | $43.24 | $86.49 |
| diesel | $5.99 | $55.28 | $110.56 |
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 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.3 | 0 | $24.60 | $11.25 |
| Efficient EV | 58.6 | 0 | $20.50 | $9.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 93.7 | 1 | $32.80 | $15.00 |
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.
Origin
Grandview, MO
Morning in Grandview on Saturday
Local time
7:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
36°F
Partly Cloudy then Patchy Frost
N 2 to 7 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:40AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Destination
Saint Charles, MO
Morning in Saint Charles on Saturday
Local time
7:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Partly Cloudy
N 7 to 13 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:40AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
56°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
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 31m 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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
$19
near mile 234.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 8% of this 234.3-mile drive on major highways like Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and I-470. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 153.3 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. After the highway portions, the route transitions to surface roads for the majority of your travel. Be prepared for more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds as you navigate through towns and local areas.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 153.3 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 3.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 234.3 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 3.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,049 ft
491 ft
Total Climb
555 ft
Total Descent
1,113 ft
Highest Point
1,049 ft
Elevation Range
558 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Grandview, MO
Full guide →Founded 1900
Top landmarks
- • Harry S. Truman National Historic Site — national Historic Site of the United States in Missouri
- • Harry S. Truman Farm Home — historic house in Missouri, United States
Arriving in Saint Charles, MO
Full guide →Founded 1765
St. Charles, Missouri is outside of St. Louis on the bank of the Missouri River. It was Missouri's first state capital and was one of the first stops by Lewis and Clark on their journey to explore Louisiana Territory. The historic Main Street has largely been restored to its 1812-era appearance including gas lights a boardwalk and is lined with shops selling artwork, handicrafts, home decorations, antiques. There are also many restaurants.
Top landmarks
- • First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site — historic site in Missouri, United States
- • African Church — church building in Missouri, United States of America
- • Frenchtown Historic District — historic district in St. Charles County, Missouri
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 31m. Total distance: 234.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 153.3 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 33 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 Saint Charles, 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 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 4.5 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 Saint Charles, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Saint Charles, MO
More from Grandview, MO
More trips to Saint Charles, MO
Explore more options from Grandview, MO or browse trips ending in Saint Charles, MO.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.