Oakville, MO to Belton, MO is 262.3 miles and takes about 5h 6m via Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, primarily traversing Missouri. You'll spend most of your time on surface roads, so expect a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate drive. With just one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is well-suited for a single day of travel, making it a straightforward option for getting between these two points.
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
131.2 miles from Oakville, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m 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
I 470
15.5 mi
18m
I 270
12 mi
15m
I 49
7 mi
8m
I 255
2.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 21 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,549 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,000
Quietest
1 AM
~241 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Oakville, MO and Belton, MO.
1
Start on this road
120 ft·13 sec·this road
2
Turn left
130 ft·15 sec
3
Turn left onto Cliff Cave Road
171 ft·7 sec·Cliff Cave Road
4
Turn slight right
160 ft·3 sec
Toward MO 231
5
Turn slight right onto MO 231
1.7 mi·3 min·Telegraph Road
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·55 sec
Toward I 255 West, US 50 West: Memphis
7
Merge onto I 255; US 50
2.2 mi·2 min·I 255; US 50
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on I 270
12 mi·15 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 12Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
10
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.
11
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·9 sec·this road
Exit 12Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
12
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi·30 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
13
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.
14
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
15
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
16
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
17
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
18
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi·58 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
Exit 15AToward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's SummitUse the right lane.
22
Merge onto I 470; MO 291
6.4 mi·7 min·I 470; MO 291
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 470
9.2 mi·10 min·I 470
Toward I 470 South: WichitaUse the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 1Toward I 49, I 435 North, US 71: Joplin, Kansas City, Des MoinesUse the slight left / straight lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·52 sec
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: JoplinUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: JoplinUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto I 49; US 71
7.0 mi·8 min·I 49; US 71
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 175Toward MO Y
29
Turn right onto East 163rd Street
0.4 mi·56 sec·East 163rd Street
30
Continue on North Cedar Street
0.4 mi·55 sec·North Cedar Street
31
Turn slight right
116 ft·5 sec
32
Turn slight right onto MO 58
0.2 mi·18 sec·East North Avenue
33
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
0.2 mi·52 sec·East Walnut Street
34
Arrive at destination
East Walnut Street
Trip Plan
For this roughly 5-hour drive, leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Belton, MO before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to take a break, though planning a stop around the halfway point can help break up the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition from the Dwight D Eisenhower Highway onto surface roads, as gas stations might be less frequent. This is a drive you can comfortably complete in one day, so consider departing mid-morning to avoid early rush hour and arrive with plenty of daylight.
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 131.2 miles from Oakville, MO, or about 2h 40m 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 58 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.2 miles or 2h 40m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Belton, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Oakville, 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 Oakville, MO
This is one driving day of about 262.3 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Oakville, 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.3 and 253.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
16.3 mi into trip|~22m 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
16.4 mi into trip|~23m 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
42.4 mi into trip|~54m 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
237.4 mi into trip|~4h 34m in
Take the exit toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 15A
Toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
8
253.2 mi into trip|~4h 53m in
Take the exit toward I 49, I 435 North, US 71: Joplin, Kansas City, Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 1
Toward I 49, I 435 North, US 71: Joplin, Kansas...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.61 one way
$87.22 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$47.50
$95.01
premium
$5.18
$53.52
$107.05
diesel
$5.35
$55.25
$110.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.7
0
$27.54
$12.59
Efficient EV
65.6
0
$22.95
$10.49
EV Truck/SUV
104.9
1
$36.72
$16.79
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Oakville, MO
Afternoon
in Oakville on Wednesday
Local time
2:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SE 3 mph74% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued May 31 at 8:59PM CDT until June 1 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued May 31 at 8:57PM CDT until June 1 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Destination
Belton, MO
Afternoon
in Belton on Wednesday
Local time
2:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SSE 6 mph63% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued May 31 at 8:59PM CDT until June 1 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued May 31 at 8:57PM CDT until June 1 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
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
2 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 6m 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?
This drive is mostly surface roads, with only 14% of the total mileage on highways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 80.7 miles on the Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. After this highway segment, expect to transition to local roads where you'll notice more frequent intersections and potentially slower traffic as you navigate through towns and rural areas. The overall feel is less about high-speed cruising and more about connecting communities.
Only 14% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
34 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?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 20 significant decision points across 262.3 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 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.4 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,106 ft570 ft
Total Climb
1,023 ft
Total Descent
515 ft
Highest Point
1,106 ft
~262.3 mi in
Elevation Range
536 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Oakville, MO to Belton, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Louis along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 6m. Total distance: 262.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 6m 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.
Yes — we found about 32 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 Belton, 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 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.4 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Belton, MO before the return drive.
