Connecting Kirkwood to East Independence, this 230.3-mile journey across Missouri is a straightforward trek that fits perfectly into a single day of travel. You can expect to spend about 4 hours and 30 minutes behind the wheel, making it an efficient trip for those looking to traverse the Midwest. With a fuel budget of approximately $35, it remains an economical option for your road trip planning. Since the entire route stays within the state of Missouri, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the drive. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, this trip is manageable without the need for an overnight stop.
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
115.1 miles from Kirkwood, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
80.7 mi
1h 35m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
54.3 mi
58m
Avenue of the Saints
25.4 mi
30m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2 mi
2m
I 270
1.9 mi
2m
Manchester Road
1.9 mi
3m
South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kirkwood, MO and East Independence, MO.
1
Start on West Adams Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·West Adams Avenue
2
Turn right onto North Geyer Road
1.1 mi·2 min·North Geyer Road
3
Turn left onto MO 100
1.9 mi·3 min·Manchester Road
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 270 North
5
Merge onto I 270
1.9 mi·2 min·I 270
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 12Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: WentzvilleUse the slight left lane.
8
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·9 sec·this road
Exit 12Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
9
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi·30 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit onto US 40
0.6 mi·1 min·US 40
Exit 1AToward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas CityUse the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial 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
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi·58 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
16
Continue on I 70; US 40
52 mi·56 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 17Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall EntranceUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi·3 min·South Little Blue Parkway
19
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
0.2 mi·37 sec·East R.D. Mize Road
20
Turn right onto South Jackson Drive
1.2 mi·2 min·South Jackson Drive
21
Turn straight onto Holke Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Holke Road
22
Turn left onto East Truman Road
0.7 mi·1 min·East Truman Road
23
Turn right onto Main Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Main Road
24
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
79 ft·3 sec·East 9th Street South
25
Arrive at destination
East 9th Street South
Trip Plan
For the best experience, plan your departure to accommodate the 4-hour and 30-minute duration, keeping in mind that you only need one scheduled stop to keep your energy up. Given the turn-heavy nature of the local segments, pay close attention to navigation to avoid missing exits or turns. Since you are budgeting $35 for fuel, topping off your tank before you leave Kirkwood can help you avoid unnecessary mid-trip stops. Flexibility is your biggest advantage on this 230.3-mile trip, so feel free to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected traffic on the highway. Always double-check your route on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway before heading out to ensure you are prepared for its longest 80.7-mile stretch.
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 115.1 miles from Kirkwood, MO, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.7 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 51 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.1 miles or 2h 20m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Independence, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kirkwood, 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 Kirkwood, MO
This is one driving day of about 230.3 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Kirkwood, 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 80.7 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.5 and 225.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
5.5 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the exit toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
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 12
Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Lo...
8
5.7 mi into trip|~9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Went...
5
6.2 mi into trip|~10m in|I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
31.6 mi into trip|~41m in|US 40
Take the exit onto US 40 toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
8
225.1 mi into trip|~4h 19m in
Take the exit toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance
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 17
Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall E...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.00 one way
$72.01 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$39.53
$79.06
premium
$4.89
$44.32
$88.64
diesel
$5.61
$50.85
$101.69
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: 80.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.1
0
$24.18
$11.05
Efficient EV
57.6
0
$20.15
$9.21
EV Truck/SUV
92.1
1
$32.24
$14.74
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Kirkwood, MO
Late night
in Kirkwood on Sunday
Local time
3:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
East Independence, MO
Late night
in East Independence on Sunday
Local time
3:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 30m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that balances interstate travel with more nuanced road conditions. You will spend time on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, which together make up a highway share of 2. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is an 80.7-mile segment on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Because the route features a mix of high-speed stretches and more technical local sections, you should stay alert as the road's personality shifts. It is not a monotonous grind, but rather a drive that demands your attention through its varying road types.
Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.7 mi on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.5 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 230.3 miles you will encounter 17 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: at 5.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.2 miles (I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 30m. Total distance: 230.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.7 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 East Independence, 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 5.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.2 miles (I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints): 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 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at East Independence, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
