Hollister, MO to Blue Springs, MO is 204.8 miles and takes about 4h 14m via North Kansas Expressway and MO 7, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, taking you from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Given its primarily highway nature and manageable distance, it's a straightforward drive perfect for a single-day excursion. You'll encounter a significant portion of highway driving, so plan accordingly for smooth transit between these two Missouri locations.
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
102.4 miles from Hollister, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Kansas Expressway
87.2 mi
1h 42m
MO 7
39.2 mi
43m
American Legion Memorial Highway
18.6 mi
21m
MO 291
14.5 mi
21m
US Highway 65
12 mi
13m
Schoolcraft Freeway
10.7 mi
13m
MO 58
8.5 mi
11m
Payne Stewart Highway
4.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
North Kansas Expressway
— 87.2 mi, about 1h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hollister, MO and Blue Springs, MO.
1
Start on Old Mill Road
392 ft·22 sec·Old Mill Road
2
Turn left onto Esplanade Drive
385 ft·24 sec·Esplanade Drive
3
Turn left onto US 65 Bus
1.2 mi·2 min·South Business 65
4
Enter roundabout onto US 65 Bus; MO 76
372 ft·7 sec·US 65 Bus; MO 76
Toward US 65 Business, MO 76 West: Branson
5
Continue on US 65 Bus; MO 76
0.7 mi·1 min·US 65 Bus; MO 76
Toward US 65 Business, MO 76 West: Branson
6
Continue on Red Route
0.4 mi·46 sec·Veterans Boulevard
7
Continue on Red Route
150 ft·3 sec·Veterans Boulevard
8
Enter roundabout onto Red Route
287 ft·8 sec·Branson Landing Boulevard
9
Continue on Red Route
0.5 mi·58 sec·Branson Landing Boulevard
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 65 North: Springfield
11
Merge onto US 65; MO 76
7.7 mi·8 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
12
Continue on US 65
12 mi·13 min·US Highway 65
13
Continue on US 65
11 mi·12 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
14
Continue on US 65
11 mi·13 min·Schoolcraft Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 44 West: Joplin
16
Merge onto I 44
4.1 mi·5 min·Payne Stewart Highway
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 77Toward MO 13: Bolivar
18
Keep slight left at fork
150 ft·3 sec
Exit 77Toward MO 13: Bolivar
19
Keep slight right at fork
209 ft·7 sec
Exit 77Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
20
Merge onto MO 13
87 mi·1 hr 42 min·North Kansas Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Continue on MO 7
36 mi·39 min·MO 7
22
Take the exit onto MO 7
3.3 mi·3 min·MO 7
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 160Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
24
Keep slight right at fork
243 ft·6 sec
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
25
Merge onto MO 291
8.3 mi·12 min·MO 291
26
Turn slight left onto MO 58; MO 291
8.5 mi·11 min·MO 58; MO 291
27
Take the exit onto MO 291
0.6 mi·52 sec·MO 291
Toward US 50 East, MO 291 North: Sedalia
28
Take the exit onto MO 291
0.2 mi·37 sec·MO 291
Toward MO 291 North: Independence, Hamblen RoadUse the slight right lane.
29
Turn left
300 ft·7 sec
30
Continue on MO 291
5.4 mi·8 min·MO 291
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Exit 12Toward Woods Chapel RoadUse the slight right lane.
32
Turn right onto Northeast Woods Chapel Road
1.3 mi·2 min·Northeast Woods Chapel Road
33
Continue on Southwest Woods Chapel Road
2.2 mi·3 min·Southwest Woods Chapel Road
34
Turn right onto US 40
1.5 mi·2 min·Corporal M.E. Webster Memorial Parkway
35
Turn left onto Southwest 15th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Southwest 15th Street
36
Arrive at destination
Southwest 15th Street
Trip Plan
With a total drive time of just over 4 hours, this route is easily manageable in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to allow for flexibility and potential unexpected delays. Since it's a relatively short trip, you only have one recommended stop, so make it count for a break or fuel. Be mindful of the fuel cost estimate of $32, and it's always wise to top off your tank before you leave Hollister. Pay attention to the road designations, as you'll transition from the North Kansas Expressway to MO 7 and other roads along the way.
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 102.4 miles from Hollister, MO, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.2 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 45 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.4 miles or 2h 5m 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 20m
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 Hollister, 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 Hollister, MO
This is one driving day of about 204.8 miles and 4h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Hollister, 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 North Kansas Expressway for about 87.2 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 199.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.3 mi into trip|~3m in|US 65 Bus; MO 76
Enter roundabout onto US 65 Bus; MO 76 toward US 65 Business, MO 76 West: Branson
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 65 Business, MO 76 West: Branson
7
49.5 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MO 13: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 77
Toward MO 13: Bolivar
7
49.5 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 77
Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
7
193.5 mi into trip|~3h 54m in|MO 291
Take the exit onto MO 291 toward MO 291 North: Independence, Hamblen Road
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 MO 291 North: Independence, Hamblen Road
7
199.1 mi into trip|~4h 3m in
Take the exit toward Woods Chapel Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12
Toward Woods Chapel Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.16 one way
$68.33 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$37.13
$74.26
premium
$5.26
$42.40
$84.81
diesel
$6.18
$49.82
$99.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.4
0
$21.50
$9.83
Efficient EV
51.2
0
$17.92
$8.19
EV Truck/SUV
81.9
1
$28.67
$13.11
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Hollister, MO
Morning
in Hollister on Monday
Local time
8:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Mostly Clear
E 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Blue Springs, MO
Morning
in Blue Springs on Monday
Local time
8:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Mostly Clear
S 6 mph0% chanceLive 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 14m 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.
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 35.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 85% of the route utilizing them. You'll experience a long stretch of 87.2 miles on the North Kansas Expressway before transitioning to other roads. Expect a consistent cruising speed for the majority of your trip. The density of exits will likely increase as you get closer to your destination in Blue Springs.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.2 mi on North Kansas Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Kansas Expressway and MO 7. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in near US 65 Bus; MO 76.
Driving Effort10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 204.8 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 1.3 miles (US 65 Bus; MO 76): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 49.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 14m. Total distance: 204.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.2 miles on North Kansas Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 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 Blue Springs, 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 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles (US 65 Bus; MO 76): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 49.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Blue Springs, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
