Monrovia, IN to Cuba, MO is 306.5 miles and takes about 5h 42m via Dwight D Eisenhower Highway and I 70, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive will take you from the Midwest region of Indiana into Missouri, offering a mix of highway cruising and surface roads. With a recommended one-day drive time, it's a straightforward trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently. Consider this route if you prefer a mostly direct path with minimal planning needed.
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
153.3 miles from Monrovia, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
122.6 mi
2h 13m
I 70
93.6 mi
1h 42m
Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
68.6 mi
1h 15m
I 44
13.2 mi
16m
I 55
4.6 mi
7m
SR 39
1.9 mi
3m
MO 19
0.8 mi
1m
North Chestnut Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 122.6 mi, about 2h 13m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,237 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,516
Quietest
2 AM
~237 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Monrovia, IN and Cuba, MO.
1
Start on North Water Street
32 ft·6 sec·North Water Street
2
Turn left onto SR 42
0.2 mi·21 sec·West Main Street
3
Turn left onto SR 39
0.5 mi·1 min·North Chestnut Street
4
Continue on SR 39
1.9 mi·3 min·SR 39
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 70: St. Louis
6
Merge onto I 70
123 mi·2 hr 13 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
77 mi·1 hr 22 min·I 70
Toward I 70 West: Saint Louis
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
17 mi·19 min·I 70
Toward I 55 South, I 70 West: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55; US 40
0.7 mi·1 min·I 55; US 40
Toward I 55 South, I 64, IL 3, US 40 West: Louisville, Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 55; I 64; US 40
1.0 mi·1 min·I 55; I 64; US 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55; IL 3
1.6 mi·1 min·I 55; IL 3
Exit 1Toward IL 3 South: CahokiaUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
1.3 mi·2 min·I 55
Exit 40BToward I 44 West, I 55 South, I 44 East: Tulsa, Memphis, Kansas City, Walnut StreetUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44
13 mi·16 min·I 44
Use the slight right lane.
14
Continue on I 44; US 50
69 mi·1 hr 15 min·Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 208Toward MO 19: Cuba, Owensville
16
Turn left onto MO 19
0.8 mi·1 min·MO 19
17
Arrive at destination
MO 19
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 42m estimated drive time, departing Monrovia, IN in the morning should allow you to reach Cuba, MO well before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in timing your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $48, and plan your refueling accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point or before a longer highway segment. Since this is a manageable one-day drive, you can adjust your departure time based on your morning's activities.
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 153.3 miles from Monrovia, IN, or about 2h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.6 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 67 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.3 miles or 2h 49m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cuba, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Monrovia, IN 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 Monrovia, IN
This is one driving day of about 306.5 miles and 5h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Monrovia, IN.
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 122.6 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 202.4 and 223.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
202.4 mi into trip|~3h 41m in|I 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 toward I 55 South, I 70 West: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South, I 70 West: Saint Louis
8
219.1 mi into trip|~4h 1m in|I 55; US 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55; US 40 toward I 55 South, I 64, IL 3, US 40 West: Louisville, Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South, I 64, IL 3, US 40 West: Loui...
8
220.9 mi into trip|~4h 4m in|I 55; IL 3
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55; IL 3 toward IL 3 South: Cahokia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1
Toward IL 3 South: Cahokia
9
222.5 mi into trip|~4h 6m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 44 West, I 55 South, I 44 East: Tulsa, Memphis, Kansas City, Walnut Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 40B
Toward I 44 West, I 55 South, I 44 East: Tulsa,...
6
223.8 mi into trip|~4h 8m in|I 44
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.96 one way
$101.92 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$55.51
$111.02
premium
$5.18
$62.54
$125.09
diesel
$5.35
$64.56
$129.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92
1
$32.18
$14.71
Efficient EV
76.6
0
$26.82
$12.26
EV Truck/SUV
122.6
1
$42.91
$19.62
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Monrovia, IN
Afternoon
in Monrovia on Wednesday
Local time
3:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Cloudy
ESE 2 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 9:10PM EDT until June 2 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 9:10PM EDT until June 3 at 12:48PM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN
Destination
Cuba, MO
Afternoon
in Cuba on Wednesday
Local time
2:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 5 mph82% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 2:22AM CDT until June 1 at 2:45AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 2:13AM CDT until June 1 at 3:15AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
70°F
Lebanon, IL
153 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
5 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 42m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 37% of this 306.5-mile trip on highways, with the longest continuous stretch on the Dwight D Eisenhower Highway covering 122.6 miles. Expect to transition from highway driving to surface roads as you progress toward Missouri. This route features a significant amount of highway time, so be prepared for the typical exit and entrance ramps associated with interstate travel.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 122.6 mi on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 202.4 miles in near I 70.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 306.5 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 202.4 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219.1 miles (I 55; US 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 220.9 miles (I 55; IL 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,002 ft418 ft
Total Climb
757 ft
Total Descent
559 ft
Highest Point
1,002 ft
~306.5 mi in
Elevation Range
584 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Monrovia, IN and Cuba, MO, road signs point toward Saint Louis, Memphis and Kansas City.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 42m. Total distance: 306.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 122.6 miles on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 42 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 Cuba, 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 42 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 202.4 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219.1 miles (I 55; US 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 220.9 miles (I 55; IL 3): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cuba, MO before the return drive.
