Wright City Rest Area (Eastbound)
0 mi from route
Trip from Kansas City, MO to Ferguson, MO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 37m
Distance
240.2 mi
387 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 24m
★
6 AM
4h 38m
8 AM
5h 5m
10 AM
4h 47m
12 PM
4h 44m
3 PM
4h 48m
5 PM
5h 3m
8 PM
4h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kansas City, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Ferguson, MO
Lena Khrupina
Trip Overview
Kansas City, MO to Ferguson, MO is 240.2 miles and takes about 4h 37m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest to Midwest drive sticks to Missouri roads for its entirety. Expect a trip that's mostly surface roads, so plan for a more local feel rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. It's a straightforward drive connecting two points within the same state, suitable for a single-day trip.
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
120.1 miles from Kansas City, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 12m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 163.7 mi | 3h 9m |
| U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway | 54.4 mi | 58m |
| George Brett Super Highway | 6.9 mi | 9m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Airport Road | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 163.7 mi, about 3h 9m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,943 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~346 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Kansas City, MO and Ferguson, MO.
1
Start on Oak Street
20 ft
·
4 sec
·
Oak Street
2
Turn right onto East 12th Street
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
East 12th Street
3
Turn right onto Charlotte Street
476 ft
·
11 sec
·
Charlotte Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East
5
Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
George Brett Super Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 70
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
7
Continue on I 70
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 70
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
9
Continue on I 70
53 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
10
Continue on I 70; US 40
32 mi
·
34 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi
·
24 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
15
Continue on I 70; US 40
109 mi
·
2 hr 10 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 238B
Toward I 170 North
Use the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto I 170
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Inner Belt Expressway
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 9A
Toward Airport Road
Use the slight right lane.
19
Turn right onto Airport Road
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Airport Road
20
Turn right onto MO N
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
North Florissant Road
21
Turn right onto Carson Road
119 ft
·
5 sec
·
Carson Road
22
Arrive at destination
Carson Road
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 37m estimated drive time, leaving Kansas City in the morning should allow you to reach Ferguson with plenty of daylight. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility with stops. The longest stretch without exiting the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is 163.7 miles, so consider a fuel and stretch break before you hit that point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $38, and plan your last fill-up accordingly before the surface road sections begin.
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 120.1 miles from Kansas City, MO, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 163.7 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 53 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.1 miles or 2h 12m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ferguson, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kansas City, 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 Kansas City, MO
This is one driving day of about 240.2 miles and 4h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Kansas City, 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 163.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
120 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 120.1 miles from Kansas City, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 163.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Concordia Rest Area Eastbound
0 mi from route
Truck Parking
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Wright City Rest Area (Westbound)
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Truck Parking
0.1 mi from route
Concordia Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Boonville Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Boonville Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Betty's Truck Stop
0.1 mi from route
Midway Auto Truck Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Mr. Fuel Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
West Land Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Gasper's
0.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 238 — 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
|
East 12th Street
Turn right onto East 12th Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 East, US 40 East
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway
Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
236.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 31m in
Take the exit toward I 170 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 238B
Toward I 170 North
7
238 mi into trip
|
~4h 33m in
Take the exit toward Airport Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 9A
Toward Airport Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.94 one way
$79.87 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $43.50 | $87.00 |
| premium | $5.18 | $49.01 | $98.03 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $50.59 | $101.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.1 | 0 | $25.22 | $11.53 |
| Efficient EV | 60.1 | 0 | $21.02 | $9.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 96.1 | 1 | $33.63 | $15.37 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Origin
Kansas City, MO
Afternoon in Kansas City on Wednesday
Local time
2:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 10 mph
37% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued May 30 at 4:48PM CDT until May 30 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 30 at 3:55PM CDT until June 1 at 10:36PM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Destination
Ferguson, MO
Afternoon in Ferguson on Wednesday
Local time
2:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 9 mph
50% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued May 30 at 4:48PM CDT until May 30 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 30 at 3:55PM CDT until June 1 at 10:36PM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
86°F
Centralia, MO
120 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
2 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 37m 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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
$19
near mile 240.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily surface roads, meaning you'll be navigating local streets for much of the 240.2 miles. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway accounts for the longest stretch at 163.7 miles, but you'll eventually transition away from highway cruising. Be prepared for frequent intersections and slower speeds as you move from the highway segment to the surface road sections.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 163.7 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East 12th Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 240.2 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.6 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
928 ft
498 ft
Total Climb
440 ft
Total Descent
829 ft
Highest Point
928 ft
~17.2 mi in
Elevation Range
430 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Kansas City, MO
Full guide →Founded 1853
Kansas City is a major Midwestern metropolitan area that spreads across the border of Missouri and Kansas. It is a city that tends to hide itself from tourists. Reputed to have more boulevards than Paris and more fountains than any other city in the world except for Rome, it can be a beautiful city, too. It is unique in that it is split down the middle by the state line of Kansas and Missouri.
Top landmarks
- • The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art — art museum in Kansas City, Missouri
- • Union Station — main railway station in Kansas City, Missouri, United States
- • Hy-Vee Arena — architectural structure
Arriving in Ferguson, MO
Full guide →Ferguson is a town in northern St. Louis County, Missouri. It is a suburb of St. Louis.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 37m. Total distance: 240.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 163.7 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.6 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Ferguson, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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