This 251.6-mile journey from Independence, MO, to Barnhart, MO, is estimated to take about 4 hours and 51 minutes of driving time. It's a feasible day trip, allowing you to cover the distance without needing an overnight stay. The route primarily utilizes the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, with a portion on the Avenue of the Saints. Expect a fuel cost of around $39 for this drive. Since both the origin and destination are within the Midwest region, you'll experience a consistent regional feel throughout your trip. It's a straightforward drive that gets you from point A to point B efficiently.
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
125.8 miles from Independence, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m 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
25.1 mi
30m
I 270
11.5 mi
14m
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
7.7 mi
8m
South Noland Road
3.1 mi
5m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.6 mi
3m
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 Independence, MO and Barnhart, MO.
32 mi·34 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi·24 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15
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
16
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi·30 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 25Toward I 270: Chicago, MemphisUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward I 270 South: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto I 270
11 mi·14 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·27 sec
Exit 1AToward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward I 55 South: Memphis
22
Merge onto I 55
1.5 mi·1 min·Rosa Parks Highway
23
Continue on I 55
1.8 mi·2 min·Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
24
Continue on I 55
7.7 mi·8 min·Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 185Toward MO M: Barnhart, AntoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn left onto MO M
0.7 mi·1 min·MO M
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto US 61; US 67
0.2 mi·24 sec·US 61; US 67
28
Continue on East Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·East Street
29
Turn right onto Willing Street
133 ft·11 sec·Willing Street
30
Turn left onto East Street
314 ft·13 sec·East Street
31
Arrive at destination
East Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 51-minute duration, starting your trip in the morning is advisable to allow ample time for breaks and arrive at your destination well before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Plan for the $39 fuel cost and ensure your tank is full before departing Independence, MO, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile might mean fewer immediate fuel opportunities once you're en route. Pay close attention to your navigation, especially during the longer stretches on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, to ensure you stay on track for Barnhart, MO.
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 125.8 miles from Independence, MO, or about 2h 19m 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 55 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.8 miles or 2h 19m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Barnhart, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Independence, 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 Independence, MO
This is one driving day of about 251.6 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Independence, 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 250.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.3 mi into trip|~6m in
Turn left toward I 70 East: Columbia, Saint Louis
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 East: Columbia, Saint Louis
8
226.2 mi into trip|~4h 19m in
Take the exit toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
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 25
Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
7
226.5 mi into trip|~4h 19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 270 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 270 South: Memphis
8
238.3 mi into trip|~4h 34m in
Take the exit toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis...
8
250.1 mi into trip|~4h 48m in
Take the exit toward MO M: Barnhart, Antonia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 185
Toward MO M: Barnhart, Antonia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.33 one way
$78.67 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$43.19
$86.38
premium
$4.89
$48.42
$96.84
diesel
$5.61
$55.55
$111.10
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: 88 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.5
0
$26.42
$12.08
Efficient EV
62.9
0
$22.01
$10.06
EV Truck/SUV
100.6
1
$35.22
$16.10
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Independence, MO
Night
in Independence on Saturday
Local time
9:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Barnhart, MO
Night
in Barnhart on Saturday
Local time
9:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°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
12 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 51m 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...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
$19
near mile 234.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with only a 5% highway share. While you'll encounter some highway stretches, the majority of the route involves navigating local roads and making turns. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 135.3 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, offering a substantial period of consistent travel. Be prepared for a driving experience that requires more attention to navigation and road changes compared to a pure interstate journey. This profile suggests a more engaging, varied route rather than a monotonous grind.
Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 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?
10/10
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 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 18 significant decision points across 251.6 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: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 226.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 226.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Independence, MO to Barnhart, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Memphis
226.2 mi in|~4h 19m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 51m. Total distance: 251.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 51m 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.
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 Barnhart, 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 3.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 226.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 226.5 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 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Barnhart, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
