Kearney, MO to Oakville, MO is 253.7 miles and takes about 5h 7m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a drive that's mostly on surface roads, making it a more local-feeling experience than a pure interstate haul. With a recommended one-day duration and a manageable fuel cost, this route offers a straightforward way to connect two points in Missouri.
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
126.9 miles from Kearney, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
102.6 mi
1h 58m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
Avenue of the Saints
25.1 mi
30m
South Spartan Drive
24.5 mi
30m
Isley Boulevard
13.5 mi
19m
I 270
12.1 mi
15m
MO 92
7.1 mi
10m
MO 10
2.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 102.6 mi, about 1h 58m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,993 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,486
Quietest
1 AM
~217 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Kearney, MO and Oakville, 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
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
25
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
26
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi·30 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 25Toward I 270: Chicago, MemphisUse the slight right lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward I 270 South: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
29
Merge onto I 270
12 mi·15 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
30
Continue on I 255
1.8 mi·2 min·I 255
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 2Toward MO 231: Telegraph RoadUse the slight right lane.
32
Turn right onto MO 231
1.6 mi·3 min·Telegraph Road
33
Turn left onto Cliff Cave Road
292 ft·15 sec·Cliff Cave Road
34
Turn right
130 ft·11 sec
35
Turn right
120 ft·8 sec
36
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Aim to depart Kearney in the morning to maximize daylight, especially since this is a one-day trip. The drive is under six hours, so you can afford to take your time. Plan for one stop to break up the drive and refuel if necessary, keeping in mind the estimated $39 fuel cost. Since the majority of this route uses surface roads, be prepared for varying speed limits and potential local traffic delays, particularly as you approach Oakville. The longest stretch on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is over 100 miles, so you'll have a good period of consistent cruising before the landscape changes.
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 126.9 miles from Kearney, MO, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.6 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 56 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.9 miles or 2h 33m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oakville, 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 253.7 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 102.6 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 51 and 251.7 — 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
6
211.8 mi into trip|~4h 13m 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
237.1 mi into trip|~4h 44m 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
237.5 mi into trip|~4h 45m 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
7
251.7 mi into trip|~5h 3m in
Take the exit toward MO 231: Telegraph Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2
Toward MO 231: Telegraph Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.47 one way
$74.93 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$41.36
$82.72
premium
$4.72
$47.10
$94.21
diesel
$4.80
$47.90
$95.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.1
0
$26.64
$12.18
Efficient EV
63.4
0
$22.20
$10.15
EV Truck/SUV
101.5
1
$35.52
$16.24
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Kearney, MO
Late night
in Kearney on Sunday
Local time
5:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
SSW 3 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Oakville, MO
Late night
in Oakville on Sunday
Local time
5:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
W 3 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
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
5h 7m 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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
$19
near mile 253.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll encounter Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for a significant stretch, covering 102.6 miles of your drive. After this primary highway, the route transitions to mostly surface roads, which make up the bulk of the remaining miles. This shift means you'll likely notice more local traffic and a change in speed limits as you move away from major highway corridors. The highway share is about 10%, indicating a significant portion of your time will be spent on non-interstate roads.
Only 10% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.6 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 24 significant decision points across 253.7 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 211.8 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 237.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
948 ft576 ft
Total Climb
461 ft
Total Descent
716 ft
Highest Point
948 ft
~18.1 mi in
Elevation Range
372 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kearney, MO and Oakville, MO, road signs point toward Henrietta and Memphis.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 253.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.6 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 Oakville, 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 51 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 211.8 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 237.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Oakville, MO before the return drive.
