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Trip from Grandview, MO to St. Louis, MO

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 53m

Distance

254.2 mi

409 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 40m ★
6 AM
4h 54m
8 AM
5h 21m
10 AM
5h 3m
12 PM
5h 1m
3 PM
5h 5m
5 PM
5h 20m
8 PM
4h 46m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Grandview, MO, MO

Grandview, MO

Valeria Boltneva

Trip Overview

This 254.2-mile journey from Grandview, MO, to St. Louis, MO, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 53 minutes. You'll primarily travel on highways like the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and the Avenue of the Saints, with a significant portion being local driving. With a projected fuel cost of around $40, this Midwest to Midwest trip offers a straightforward drive. It's a manageable distance for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time and stops. Plan for one main stop along the way to break up the drive.

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

127.1 miles from Grandview, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m 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 27.7 mi 33m
I 470 15.3 mi 17m
Jack Buck Memorial Highway 5.8 mi 7m
Daniel Boone Expressway 5.7 mi 7m
I 49 2.2 mi 2m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway 1.9 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 135.3 mi, about 2h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Grandview, MO and St. Louis, 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

81 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
20

Take the exit onto US 40

0.3 mi · 33 sec · US 40
Exit 210A Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
21

Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61

28 mi · 33 min · Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
22

Continue on I 64; US 40

5.7 mi · 7 min · Daniel Boone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
23

Continue on I 64; US 40

5.8 mi · 7 min · Jack Buck Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 34 sec
Exit 39A Toward 14th Street Use the slight right lane.
25

Turn left onto South 14th Street

0.3 mi · 42 sec · South 14th Street
Use the left lane.
26

Turn right onto Market Street

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Market Street
27

Arrive at destination

Market Street

Trip Plan

Given the 4 hour and 53 minute duration, starting your drive in the morning will give you ample time to reach St. Louis without feeling rushed. While it's feasible as a single-day trip, factor in one planned stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major town could be a consideration depending on your vehicle's range. The $40 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but always budget a little extra for unexpected detours or price fluctuations.

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 127.1 miles from Grandview, MO, or about 2h 20m 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 56 miles or 1h 4m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 127.1 miles or 2h 20m 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 56m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near St. Louis, 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 254.2 miles and 4h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 135.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Fulton, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Fulton, MO

127 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.

Popular next leg

Fulton, MO to St. Louis, MO

109.1 mi · 2h 11m

Pacing Suggestions

Warrensburg, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Columbia, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 127.1 miles from Grandview, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 253.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | High Grove Road

At end of road, turn right onto High Grove Road

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

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
7
253.4 mi into trip | ~4h 52m in

Take the exit toward 14th Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 39A Toward 14th Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$39.74 one way

$79.48 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 89 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $43.63 $87.27
premium $4.89 $48.92 $97.84
diesel $5.61 $56.12 $112.25

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 88.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 76.3 0 $26.69 $12.20
Efficient EV 63.6 0 $22.24 $10.17
EV Truck/SUV 101.7 1 $35.59 $16.27

Gas CO2

89 kg

EV CO2

30 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

Grandview, MO

Night in Grandview on Saturday

Local time

9:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

St. Louis, MO

Night in St. Louis on Saturday

Local time

9:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°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

1 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 53m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for much of this route, with only about 9% of the journey on high-speed highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 135.3 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. While much of the drive involves navigating local roads, this offers a more varied experience than a pure interstate experience. You'll likely encounter more frequent changes in speed limits and road conditions as you transition between different types of roadways.

Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 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?

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 0.1 miles in near High Grove Road.

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 17 significant decision points across 254.2 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 0.1 miles (High Grove Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; 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.

About the Cities

Arriving in St. Louis, MO

Full guide →

The Gateway City of St. Louis is the epitome of the modern Midwestern metropolis. Missouri's second-largest city is vibrant but laid-back, populous but navigable, historic but still relevant. The city's planners have created an aesthetically beautiful city, with plenty of green space amidst buildings both old and new, framed by the majestic Mississippi and Missouri rivers. And capping it all is the world's tallest man-made monument, the beautiful and iconic Gateway Arch. St. Louis is a city of culture and surprisingly inexpensive. Among American cities, only Washington, D.C. has more free attractions for tourists and residents alike. Hotels, restaurants, and even parking garages avoid the premium pricing common in other big cities. Although often overlooked, St. Louis can be an affordable, educational, and fun family getaway.

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 53m. Total distance: 254.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

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.

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 St. Louis, 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 0.1 miles (High Grove Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; 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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at St. Louis, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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