Independence, MO to De Soto, MO is 265.6 miles and takes about 5h 13m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest region, primarily within Missouri. You'll find it's mostly surface roads, making it a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate trip. With only one recommended stop and a reasonable driving time, this route is ideal for a straightforward, single-day excursion.
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
132.8 miles from Independence, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m 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
22 mi
26m
Veterans Memorial Highway
19.8 mi
23m
MO 141
14.9 mi
23m
MO 21
4.4 mi
6m
South Noland Road
3.1 mi
5m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 135.3 mi, about 2h 34m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,284 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,878
Quietest
1 AM
~292 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
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 Independence, MO and De Soto, 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
22 mi·26 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 22Toward MO 141Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn right
185 ft·5 sec
Toward MO 141: Manchester
19
Merge onto MO 141
11 mi·17 min·MO 141
Use the right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 141
4.0 mi·5 min·MO 141
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·13 sec
Toward MO 21 South: Hillsboro
22
Merge onto MO 21
20 mi·23 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
23
At end of road, turn left onto MO 21; MO B
0.5 mi·49 sec·MO 21; MO B
24
Continue on MO 21
3.9 mi·5 min·MO 21
25
Turn left onto MO 110
1.5 mi·1 min·MO 110
26
Turn right onto North Main Street
1.4 mi·2 min·North Main Street
27
Turn right onto Easton Street
435 ft·19 sec·Easton Street
28
Arrive at destination
Easton Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 13m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning should allow you to reach De Soto well before evening. Plan for your single recommended stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially since you'll be on surface roads for a significant portion; the estimated fuel cost is $42. Since this is a manageable one-day drive, you have flexibility in your departure time and how you choose to pace the trip.
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 132.8 miles from Independence, MO, or about 2h 28m 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 58 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.8 miles or 2h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near De Soto, 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 265.6 miles and 5h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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 0 and 234.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|South Lynn Street
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
Navigation decision point
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
6
200.8 mi into trip|~3h 48m in|US 40
Take the exit onto US 40 toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 210A
Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Ches...
7
223.1 mi into trip|~4h 15m in
Take the exit toward MO 141
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 22
Toward MO 141
6
234.3 mi into trip|~4h 33m in|MO 141
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 141
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.31 one way
$88.61 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$48.34
$96.68
premium
$5.25
$54.93
$109.86
diesel
$6.28
$65.63
$131.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.7
0
$27.89
$12.75
Efficient EV
66.4
0
$23.24
$10.62
EV Truck/SUV
106.2
1
$37.18
$17.00
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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 23, 2026
Origin
Independence, MO
Night
in Independence on Friday
Local time
10:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
De Soto, MO
Night
in De Soto on Friday
Local time
10:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Clear
0 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
11 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
5h 13m 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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
$19
near mile 238.1
Established by 1750, Ste. Geneviève was the first permanent European settlement in Missouri. Early French Canadian settlers were drawn here by the rich agricultural land known as Le Grand Champ (the B...
30 mi from route
~75 min detour
Free
near mile 265.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip sees 8% of its mileage on highways, meaning you'll spend most of your time on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, covers 135.3 miles. You'll notice the transition from highway cruising to surface roads as you move through towns and rural areas. Expect a consistent pace without significant elevation changes.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 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 early in the drive near South Lynn Street.
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 18 significant decision points across 265.6 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: near the start (South Lynn Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200.8 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Independence, known as the Queen City of the Trails, is a city in western Missouri just east of Kansas City with a population of approximately 110,000. Independence's founding predates that of Kansas City, and it was home to U.S. President Harry S. Truman and the legendary actress Ginger Rogers, as well as the starting point of three of America's great Westward Trails: the Santa Fe Trail, the California Trail, and the Oregon Trail. The city also hosts numerous historical sites related to the Community of Christ (formerly RLDS), Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormons"), American Civil War and Western history.
While offering a full range of entertainment and lodging options for visitors, Independence generally tends to be more "quiet" than its larger neighbor to the west.
Top landmarks
•Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum — presidential library and museum for U.S. President Harry S. Truman, located in I...
•Temple Lot — Geographical location important in Latter Day Saint history
•Harry S. Truman National Historic Site — national Historic Site of the United States in Missouri
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 13m. Total distance: 265.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 13m 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 31 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 De Soto, 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 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Lynn Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200.8 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park and Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at De Soto, MO before the return drive.
