This 196.5-mile journey from Moscow Mills, MO, to Blue Springs, MO, will take approximately 3 hours and 44 minutes. Designed as a 1-day trip, you'll navigate primarily along the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. With a fuel cost estimated at $31, this drive offers a straightforward Midwest experience. The route is characterized by frequent turns, suggesting a more local driving feel rather than a pure interstate cruise. Plan for a single stop along the way to break up the drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
98.2 miles from Moscow Mills, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
74.4 mi
1h 26m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
50.6 mi
54m
MO W
5.8 mi
8m
Avenue of the Saints
4.9 mi
6m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2 mi
2m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi
1m
MO C
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 74.4 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Moscow Mills, MO and Blue Springs, MO.
1
Start on MO C
0.7 mi·1 min·MO C
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·19 sec
Toward US 61 South: Wentzville
3
Merge onto US 61
4.9 mi·6 min·Avenue of the Saints
4
Turn right onto MO W
5.8 mi·8 min·MO W
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·13 sec
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
6
Merge onto I 70; US 40
74 mi·1 hr 26 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
49 mi·52 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 20Toward MO 7: Blue Springs, Lake LotawanaUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto MO 7
0.5 mi·1 min·MO 7
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto Northwest R D Mize Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Northwest R D Mize Road
15
At end of road, turn left onto Northwest 15th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Northwest 15th Street
16
Arrive at destination
Southwest 15th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 44-minute duration, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip. Aim for a morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $31, you have flexibility in your timing. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you'll want to stay attentive to your GPS, especially when transitioning between roads. A specific tip for this route: be mindful of the 74.4-mile longest stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway; ensure you're fueled up and ready before entering this segment, as it's your longest continuous drive.
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 98.2 miles from Moscow Mills, MO, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.4 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 43 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.2 miles or 1h 57m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Blue Springs, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Moscow Mills, 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 Moscow Mills, MO
This is one driving day of about 196.5 miles and 3h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Moscow Mills, 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 74.4 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.6 and 196 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
11.6 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
8
194.8 mi into trip|~3h 41m in
Take the exit toward MO 7: Blue Springs, Lake Lotawana
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 20
Toward MO 7: Blue Springs, Lake Lotawana
5
195 mi into trip|~3h 41m in|MO 7
Turn left onto MO 7
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
195.5 mi into trip|~3h 42m in|Northwest R D Mize Road
Turn right onto Northwest R D Mize Road
Navigation decision point
5
196 mi into trip|~3h 43m in|Northwest 15th Street
At end of road, turn left onto Northwest 15th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.72 one way
$61.44 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$33.73
$67.46
premium
$4.89
$37.81
$75.63
diesel
$5.61
$43.38
$86.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.9
0
$20.63
$9.43
Efficient EV
49.1
0
$17.19
$7.86
EV Truck/SUV
78.6
0
$27.51
$12.58
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Moscow Mills, MO
Late night
in Moscow Mills on Sunday
Local time
2:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Blue Springs, MO
Late night
in Blue Springs on Sunday
Local time
2:53 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
3 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
3h 44m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 196.5-mile route. While you'll utilize segments of major highways like the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, the overall profile indicates a need for frequent navigation changes. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 74.4 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. With a 0% highway share, this drive emphasizes local roads and connections, offering a less monotonous experience than a typical interstate. Be prepared for a more engaged driving experience that requires attention to turns and road changes.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 74.4 mi on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
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 11.6 miles in.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 44m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 11.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 194.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 195 miles (MO 7): Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 44m. Total distance: 196.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 74.4 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 11.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 194.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 195 miles (MO 7): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Blue Springs, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
