This 229-mile drive from Ladue, Missouri, to East Independence, Missouri, is estimated to take about 4 hours and 29 minutes, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll navigate primarily along the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, with a relatively low 13% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $36. Given its duration and the nature of the drive, it's perfectly suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. This Midwest to Midwest journey offers a straightforward passage within the state.
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
114.5 miles from Ladue, 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
US 61
28.2 mi
34m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2 mi
2m
South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi
3m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi
1m
Clayton Road
1.4 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 Ladue, MO and East Independence, MO.
1
Start on Barnes Road
0.6 mi·2 min·Barnes Road
2
Turn right onto Clayton Road
1.4 mi·3 min·Clayton Road
3
Turn right onto US 61; US 67; HR 66
0.1 mi·18 sec·South Lindbergh Boulevard
4
Take the exit onto US 61
28 mi·34 min·US 61
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 NorthUse the straight lane.
5
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.
6
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
7
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
8
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
9
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
10
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi·58 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
52 mi·56 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 17Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall EntranceUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi·3 min·South Little Blue Parkway
14
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
0.2 mi·37 sec·East R.D. Mize Road
15
Turn right onto South Jackson Drive
1.2 mi·2 min·South Jackson Drive
16
Turn straight onto Holke Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Holke Road
17
Turn left onto East Truman Road
0.7 mi·1 min·East Truman Road
18
Turn right onto Main Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Main Road
19
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
79 ft·3 sec·East 9th Street South
20
Arrive at destination
East 9th Street South
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 29-minute drive, departing in the morning will give you ample daylight to complete the 229 miles. With only one recommended stop, plan to break up the journey strategically, perhaps around the halfway point. The estimated fuel cost of $36 is a good baseline, but monitor your gauge, especially if you encounter slower local traffic. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to signage for the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, as it shares segments with other named roads, ensuring you stay on track for your destination in East Independence.
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 114.5 miles from Ladue, 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 50 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.5 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 39m
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 Ladue, 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 Ladue, MO
This is one driving day of about 229 miles and 4h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Ladue, 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 229 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
2.1 mi into trip|~5m in|US 61; US 67; HR 66 / South Lindbergh Boulevard
Turn right onto US 61; US 67; HR 66 / South Lindbergh Boulevard
Navigation decision point
7
2.2 mi into trip|~6m in|US 61
Take the exit onto US 61 toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North
8
30.4 mi into trip|~40m 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
223.8 mi into trip|~4h 18m 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...
5
229 mi into trip|~4h 29m in|East 9th Street South
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.80 one way
$71.60 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$39.31
$78.62
premium
$4.89
$44.07
$88.14
diesel
$5.61
$50.56
$101.12
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: 80.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.7
0
$24.04
$10.99
Efficient EV
57.3
0
$20.04
$9.16
EV Truck/SUV
91.6
1
$32.06
$14.66
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Ladue, MO
Late night
in Ladue on Sunday
Local time
1:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
East Independence, MO
Late night
in East Independence on Sunday
Local time
1:02 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
22 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 29m 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 drive that leans towards being turn-heavy and local rather than a continuous interstate cruise, with only 13% of the route utilizing highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 80.7 miles, primarily on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. This suggests a driving experience that involves more frequent changes in speed and direction, characteristic of local and state road travel. While there are significant highway portions, the overall profile indicates a more varied and potentially slower-paced journey compared to an all-interstate route.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 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?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in near US 61; US 67; HR 66 / South Lindbergh Boulevard.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 29m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles (US 61; US 67; HR 66 / South Lindbergh Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (US 61): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.4 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 29m. Total distance: 229 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
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.
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: at 2.1 miles (US 61; US 67; HR 66 / South Lindbergh Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (US 61): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.4 miles (US 40): 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.
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.
