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Trip from New Madrid, MO to East Independence, MO

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 22m

Distance

387.9 mi

624 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$61

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
7h 12m ★
6 AM
7h 23m
8 AM
7h 44m
10 AM
7h 30m
12 PM
7h 28m
3 PM
7h 31m
5 PM
7h 43m
8 PM
7h 17m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown New Madrid, MO, MO

New Madrid, MO

Gonzalo Carlos Novillo Lapeyra

Downtown East Independence, MO, MO

East Independence, MO

Momo King

Trip Overview

This 389.7-mile journey from New Madrid, MO, to East Independence, MO, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 58 minutes of driving time. With a projected fuel cost of $59, it's an economical trip. You'll navigate primarily on local roads, indicated by the 0% highway share, suggesting a route that emphasizes a more grounded, turn-heavy experience through the Midwest. This drive is best suited for those who prefer a less highway-dependent travel style and are comfortable with more frequent directional changes. Its manageable length makes it a feasible day trip, allowing for a relaxed pace and a single planned 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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

194 miles from New Madrid, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 39m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 145.3 mi 2h 36m
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
I 270 11.5 mi 14m
I 55 Bus 2.6 mi 3m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway 2 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 145.3 mi, about 2h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between New Madrid, MO and East Independence, MO.

1

Start on this road

92 ft · 9 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Mill Street

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Mill Street
3

Turn right onto Kings Highway

0.8 mi · 2 min · Kings Highway
4

Turn left onto MO U

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Dawson Road
5

Turn right onto I 55 Bus; US 61; US 62

2.6 mi · 3 min · I 55 Bus; US 61; US 62
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 55 North: Sikeston
7

Merge onto I 55

44 mi · 46 min · I 55
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

102 mi · 1 hr 49 min · I 55
9

Continue on I 55

1.3 mi · 1 min · Rosa Parks Highway
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 196 Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

388 ft · 8 sec
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City Use the slight left lane.
12

Continue on this road

0.7 mi · 1 min · this road
Exit 196 Toward I 270 West
13

Merge onto I 270

11 mi · 14 min · I 270
Use the straight lane.
14

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Exit 12 Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis Use the slight right lane.
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville Use the slight left lane.
16

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 9 sec · this road
Exit 12 Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
17

Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61

25 mi · 30 min · Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
18

Take the exit onto US 40

0.6 mi · 1 min · US 40
Exit 1A Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City Use the straight / slight left lanes.
19

Merge onto I 70; US 40

81 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
20

Continue on I 70; US 40

2.0 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
21

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.6 mi · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
22

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
23

Continue on I 70; US 40

54 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
24

Continue on I 70; US 40

52 mi · 56 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
25

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Exit 17 Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance Use the slight right lane.
26

Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway

1.6 mi · 3 min · South Little Blue Parkway
27

Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road

0.2 mi · 37 sec · East R.D. Mize Road
28

Turn right onto South Jackson Drive

1.2 mi · 2 min · South Jackson Drive
29

Turn straight onto Holke Road

0.9 mi · 2 min · Holke Road
30

Turn left onto East Truman Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Truman Road
31

Turn right onto Main Road

0.3 mi · 1 min · Main Road
32

Turn right onto East 9th Street South

79 ft · 3 sec · East 9th Street South
33

Arrive at destination

East 9th Street South

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 5 hour and 58 minute drive, consider an early morning departure from New Madrid, MO, to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $59, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as local roads can sometimes be less consistently serviced than major highways. A good tip for this specific route is to utilize your GPS's turn-by-turn navigation diligently, as the 'turn-heavy' nature means paying close attention to upcoming directions will be key to a smooth arrival in East Independence, MO.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 194 miles from New Madrid, MO, or about 3h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145.3 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 85 miles or 1h 34m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 194 miles or 3h 39m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 12m

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 New Madrid, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from New Madrid, MO

This is one driving day of about 387.9 miles and 7h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from New Madrid, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 145.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Chesterfield, MO

194 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Campton, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 85 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Chesterfield, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 194 miles from New Madrid, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 145.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Cajun Crab House Seafood Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 277.1

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 3–8 pm

+15732346277

Visit website

Café Verona

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 387.9

Independence, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18168330044

Visit website

Cafe Poland by Iwona

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 277.1

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 5–8 pm

+17024270048

Visit website

Cafe Berlin

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 277.1

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+15734410400

Visit website

Subway

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour Inexpensiv mile 55.4

Jackson, Missouri

Hours: 8:30 am–9:30 pm

+15732043092

Visit website

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 387.9

Independence, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18167955520

Visit website

The Wolf Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 166.2

Ballwin, Missouri

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+16365277027

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 277.1

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18337484267

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 277.1

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 194

Wentzville, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 249.4

Kingdom City, Missouri

+15733106020

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 249.4

Kingdom City, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 277.1

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 277.1

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 277.1

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 150.7 and 189.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
150.7 mi into trip | ~2h 45m in

Take the exit toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago

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 196 Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chi...
8
150.9 mi into trip | ~2h 45m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 West: Kansas City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
8
163.2 mi into trip | ~3h 1m 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
163.3 mi into trip | ~3h 1m 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...
8
189.3 mi into trip | ~3h 33m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$60.64 one way

$121.29 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 136 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $66.58 $133.17
premium $4.89 $74.65 $149.30
diesel $5.61 $85.64 $171.29

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$61

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$86–$111

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 135.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 116.4 1 $40.73 $18.62
Efficient EV 97 1 $33.94 $15.52
EV Truck/SUV 155.2 1 $54.31 $24.83

Gas CO2

136 kg

EV CO2

45 kg (67% 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

New Madrid, MO

Evening in New Madrid on Saturday

Local time

8:11 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

East Independence, MO

Evening in East Independence on Saturday

Local time

8:11 PM

CDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

57°F

Chesterfield, MO

194 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

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

7h 22m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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.

Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park

Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Established by 1750, Ste. Geneviève was the first permanent European settlement in Missouri. Early French Canadian settlers were drawn here by the rich agricultural land known as Le Grand Champ (the B...

6 mi from route ~16 min detour Free near mile 107
View on nps.gov
Gateway Arch National Park

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...

14 mi from route ~36 min detour $19 near mile 160.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' on this route, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be spending your time on roads like Mill Street, Kings Highway, and Dawson Road, rather than high-speed interstates. While there isn't a designated longest uninterrupted stretch, the profile indicates a continuous series of local road segments rather than long, monotonous highway stretches. The character of the drive will likely involve frequent intersections and changes in speed limits as you pass through various communities within Missouri.

42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 145.3 mi on I 55.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 150.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 22 significant decision points across 387.9 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 150.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 150.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between New Madrid, MO and East Independence, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.

Chicago

150.7 mi in | ~2h 45m

Saint Louis

163.2 mi in | ~3h 1m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 22m. Total distance: 387.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 22m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 145.3 miles on I 55. 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 150.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 150.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park and Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at East Independence, MO before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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