Traveling from Independence to Malden covers 411.2 miles across the heart of Missouri. You should plan for a total travel time of 7 hours and 52 minutes, making this a long but manageable single-day commitment for most drivers. With an estimated fuel cost of $62, it is a straightforward trip that keeps you within the Midwest region for the entire journey. While the drive is feasible in one day, its length means you will spend the vast majority of your time behind the wheel. Expect to make at least two planned stops to keep your energy levels up during this nearly eight-hour trek. This route is best suited for those who prefer steady, purposeful driving over frequent sightseeing detours.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
205.6 miles from Independence, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
135.3 mi
2h 34m
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
126.7 mi
2h 15m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
Avenue of the Saints
25.1 mi
30m
US 60
22.6 mi
26m
US 60 Business
16.3 mi
24m
I 270
11.5 mi
14m
South Noland Road
3.1 mi
5m
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 Malden, 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
127 mi·2 hr 15 min·Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 66BToward US 60 West: Dexter, Poplar Bluff
26
Merge onto US 60
23 mi·26 min·US 60
27
Take the exit onto US 60 Business
0.3 mi·40 sec·US 60 Business
Toward MO 25, US 60 Business: Dexter, Bloomfield
28
Turn left onto US 60 Business; MO 25
16 mi·23 min·US 60 Business; MO 25
29
Continue on MO 25 Business
2.3 mi·4 min·North Douglas Street
30
Turn left onto MO 25 Business
0.2 mi·28 sec·West Main Street
31
Turn right onto MO 25 Business
442 ft·10 sec·South Madison Street
32
Turn right onto West Laclede Street
63 ft·2 sec·West Laclede Street
33
Arrive at destination
West Laclede Street
Trip Plan
To tackle this 7-hour and 52-minute drive effectively, try to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours. Since the route is turn-heavy, keeping your navigation system updated and accessible is essential for staying on track. Plan your two required stops strategically to avoid fatigue, especially during the longer stretches on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Given the $62 fuel budget, check your tire pressure and fluid levels before you leave Independence to ensure optimal efficiency for the full 411.2-mile distance. Because this is a long, singular day of driving, having your snacks and refreshments ready in the car will save you valuable time during those two necessary breaks.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 205.6 miles from Independence, MO, or about 3h 54m 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 90 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 205.6 miles or 3h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Malden, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Independence, MO
This is one driving day of about 411.2 miles and 7h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 90 miles from Independence, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 238.3 — 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
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...
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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$64.29 one way
$128.57 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg144 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$70.58
$141.17
premium
$4.89
$79.13
$158.26
diesel
$5.61
$90.79
$181.58
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$64
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 143.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
123.4
1
$43.18
$19.74
Efficient EV
102.8
1
$35.98
$16.45
EV Truck/SUV
164.5
2
$57.57
$26.32
Gas CO2
144 kg
EV CO2
48 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Evening
in Independence on Saturday
Local time
8:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Malden, MO
Evening
in Malden on Saturday
Local time
8:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Chesterfield, MO
206 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
3 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
7h 52m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 283.6
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
~35 min detour
$19
near mile 226.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a unique mix of road types, characterized primarily as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a simple interstate cruise. Only 12% of your journey will be spent on major highways, so prepare for more frequent navigation changes than you might find on a typical cross-country route. You will spend time on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, the Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs early on, covering 135.3 miles along the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. As you progress, the road environment shifts, requiring you to stay alert through the varied local transitions that define this 411.2-mile path.
Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 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 20 significant decision points across 411.2 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 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; at 226.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Independence, MO and Malden, MO, road signs point toward Memphis and Poplar Bluff.
Memphis
226.2 mi in|~4h 19m
Poplar Bluff
369.1 mi in|~6h 55m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 52m. Total distance: 411.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 52m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 Malden, 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 2 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 200.8 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Yes — Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park and Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Malden, MO before the return drive.
