Independence, MO to Steelville, MO is 229.5 miles and takes about 4h 35m via US 63, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, and Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, specifically traversing Missouri for its entirety. The route offers a practical connection between these two points, suitable for those looking for a straightforward drive. With only one recommended stop, it’s designed for efficient travel, making it a good option if you need to get from point A to point B without extensive 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
114.8 miles from Independence, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 63
79.1 mi
1h 36m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
54.3 mi
58m
MO 68
25.2 mi
37m
MO 8
4.5 mi
6m
South Noland Road
3.1 mi
5m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.6 mi
3m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 63
— 79.1 mi, about 1h 36m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,287 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~346 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 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 Steelville, 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
1.5 mi·1 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 128AToward US 63: Jefferson City, Moberly
15
Turn slight right
192 ft·4 sec
Toward US 63 South: Jefferson City
16
Merge onto US 63 Conn
521 ft·11 sec·US 63 Conn
Use the slight right lane.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward US 63 South: Jefferson CityUse the straight lane.
18
Merge onto US 63
27 mi·29 min·US 63
19
Take the exit onto US 63
1.5 mi·2 min·US 63
Toward US 54 West, US 63 South: Jefferson City
20
Take the exit onto US 63
217 ft·4 sec·US 63
Toward US 63 South, US 50
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 63
0.1 mi·16 sec·US 63
Toward US 63 South, US 50
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 63
0.1 mi·15 sec·US 63
Toward US 63 South, US 50 EastUse the slight left lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 63
12 mi·14 min·US 63
24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 63
38 mi·49 min·US 63
Toward US 63 South: Rolla
25
Turn left onto MO 68
25 mi·37 min·MO 68
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on MO 8
4.5 mi·6 min·MO 8
27
At end of road, turn right onto MO 8; MO 19
0.6 mi·56 sec·Main Street
28
Arrive at destination
MO 8; MO 19
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 35m estimated drive time and a fuel cost around $36, this trip is easily completed in a single day. Consider departing Independence, MO in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for the single recommended stop without feeling rushed. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 79 miles on US 63, so ensure you’re fueled up before entering this section. While the route is relatively short, the mix of highway and surface roads means you'll experience different driving conditions, so stay alert to changes in speed limits and traffic patterns as you get closer to Steelville.
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 114.8 miles from Independence, MO, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.1 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 50 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.8 miles or 2h 6m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Steelville, 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 229.5 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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 US 63 for about 79.1 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 148.9 — 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
119.4 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward US 63: Jefferson City, Moberly
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 128A
Toward US 63: Jefferson City, Moberly
7
119.6 mi into trip|~2h 12m in|US 63 Conn
Merge onto US 63 Conn
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
148.8 mi into trip|~2h 45m in|US 63
Keep slight left at fork onto US 63 toward US 63 South, US 50
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 63 South, US 50
9
148.9 mi into trip|~2h 45m in|US 63
Keep slight left at fork onto US 63 toward US 63 South, US 50 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 63 South, US 50 East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.84 one way
$71.69 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.33
$39.12
$78.25
premium
$4.69
$42.36
$84.72
diesel
$5.99
$54.15
$108.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.3 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.9
0
$24.10
$11.02
Efficient EV
57.4
0
$20.08
$9.18
EV Truck/SUV
91.8
1
$32.13
$14.69
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 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 Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Independence, MO
Morning
in Independence on Saturday
Local time
7:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Cloudy
NNW 14 to 18 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Steelville, MO
Morning
in Steelville on Saturday
Local time
7:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 35m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is a mix of highway and surface roads, with 47% of the route on highways. You'll encounter a long stretch of 79.1 miles on US 63, offering a period of more consistent cruising. Expect the highway segments to give way to surface roads, which will likely mean more varied speed limits and potentially more local traffic as you approach your destination. The transition from high-speed to lower-speed driving is a key aspect of this particular route.
47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.1 mi on US 63.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 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 19 significant decision points across 229.5 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 119.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.6 miles (US 63 Conn): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,086 ft556 ft
Total Climb
691 ft
Total Descent
971 ft
Highest Point
1,086 ft
~213.1 mi in
Elevation Range
530 ft
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 Steelville, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Moberly along the way.
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 4h 35m. Total distance: 229.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.1 miles on US 63. 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 Steelville, 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 119.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.6 miles (US 63 Conn): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Steelville, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
