Kearney to Florissant is 242.3 miles and takes about 4h 53m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region on a route that's primarily surface roads. Expect a fairly straightforward drive, best suited for a single day of travel. The approximately $38 fuel cost is based on average prices, so keep an eye on current rates. This route is a good option if you're looking for a direct way to get from point A to point B without extensive highway time.
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
121.2 miles from Kearney, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
124.7 mi
2h 26m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
South Spartan Drive
24.5 mi
30m
Isley Boulevard
13.5 mi
19m
MO 92
7.1 mi
10m
I 270
4.2 mi
5m
MO 10
2.6 mi
3m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 124.7 mi, about 2h 26m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 50 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,090 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,686
Quietest
2 AM
~299 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.3×
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 Kearney, MO and Florissant, MO.
1
Start on MO 33
46 ft·6 sec·South Jefferson Street
2
Turn right onto MO 92
7.1 mi·10 min·MO 92
3
Turn right onto US 69
0.5 mi·58 sec·US 69
4
Turn left onto MO 10 Spur
0.8 mi·1 min·North Jesse James Road
5
Turn left onto Miller Avenue
0.2 mi·27 sec·Miller Avenue
6
Continue on Dunbar Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Dunbar Avenue
7
Turn left onto Beverly Street
296 ft·8 sec·Beverly Street
8
Turn slight right onto Cliff Drive
252 ft·6 sec·Cliff Drive
9
Continue on North Kansas City Avenue
0.3 mi·43 sec·North Kansas City Avenue
10
Turn left onto West Broadway Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West Broadway Street
11
Turn right onto Saratoga Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Saratoga Street
12
Merge onto MO 10
13 mi·19 min·Isley Boulevard
13
Turn left onto MO 10
2.6 mi·3 min·MO 10
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward MO 13: Polo, Henrietta
15
Keep slight right at fork
157 ft·4 sec
Toward MO 13 South: Henrietta
16
Merge onto MO 13
25 mi·30 min·South Spartan Drive
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Columbia
18
Merge onto I 70; US 40
20 mi·21 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
19
Continue on I 70; US 40
32 mi·34 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi·24 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
21
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
22
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
23
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
24
Continue on I 70; US 40
103 mi·2 hr 2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·12 sec
Exit 232Toward I 270: Chicago, MemphisUse the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·36 sec
Toward I 270 North: ChicagoUse the slight left lane.
27
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·18 sec·this road
Exit 232Toward I 270 North: Chicago
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 270 North: ChicagoUse the straight lane.
29
Merge onto I 270
4.2 mi·5 min·I 270
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 25Toward US 67Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn left onto US 67
1.8 mi·3 min·North Lindbergh Boulevard
Use the left lane.
32
Turn right onto West Washington Street
1.0 mi·2 min·West Washington Street
33
Turn left onto North New Florissant Road
87 ft·1 sec·North New Florissant Road
34
Arrive at destination
North New Florissant Road
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 53m estimated drive time and 242.3 miles, this trip is easily manageable in one day. To make the most of your travel time and keep it relaxed, consider departing in the morning to allow for any unforeseen delays. With a fuel cost estimated around $38, it’s wise to check current gas prices before you leave. Plan for at least one stop for a break, especially since the longest continuous stretch on the highway is 124.7 miles. Keep an eye on your GPS as you transition from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway to surface roads to ensure you're on the most efficient path.
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 121.2 miles from Kearney, MO, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 124.7 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 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.2 miles or 2h 26m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Florissant, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kearney, 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 Kearney, MO
This is one driving day of about 242.3 miles and 4h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Kearney, 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 124.7 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 51 and 239.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
51 mi into trip|~1h 11m in
Take the exit toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Columbia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Columbia
8
233.9 mi into trip|~4h 40m 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 232
Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
7
234.1 mi into trip|~4h 41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 270 North: Chicago
8
234.8 mi into trip|~4h 42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 270 North: Chicago
7
239.2 mi into trip|~4h 47m in
Take the exit toward US 67
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 25
Toward US 67
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.42 one way
$80.84 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$43.93
$87.86
premium
$5.26
$50.17
$100.34
diesel
$6.18
$58.94
$117.89
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: 84.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.7
0
$25.44
$11.63
Efficient EV
60.6
0
$21.20
$9.69
EV Truck/SUV
96.9
1
$33.92
$15.51
Gas CO2
85 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.
Forecast as of Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Kearney, MO
Late night
in Kearney on Sunday
Local time
4:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
S 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:40AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Destination
Florissant, MO
Late night
in Florissant on Sunday
Local time
4:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Sunny
NE 1 to 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:40AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
56°F
Columbia, MO
121 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
1 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 53m 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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
$19
near mile 242.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a 6% highway share, meaning most of your time will be spent on surface roads. You'll encounter the longest stretch of highway, 124.7 miles, on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. After this, you'll transition to surface streets like South Spartan Drive. Be prepared for more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds as you move away from the limited-access highway sections.
Only 6% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 124.7 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 51 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 22 significant decision points across 242.3 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 51 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 234.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,033 ft530 ft
Total Climb
552 ft
Total Descent
825 ft
Highest Point
1,033 ft
~17.3 mi in
Elevation Range
503 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 Kearney, MO to Florissant, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Henrietta along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 53m. Total distance: 242.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 124.7 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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 Florissant, 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 51 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 234.1 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 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Florissant, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
