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Trip from Oakville, MO to Excelsior Springs, MO

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 53m

Distance

244.8 mi

394 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 40m ★
6 AM
4h 53m
8 AM
5h 20m
10 AM
5h 3m
12 PM
5h 0m
3 PM
5h 4m
5 PM
5h 19m
8 PM
4h 45m

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

census-designated place in St. Louis County, Missouri

Oakville, MO

Wikimedia Commons

city in Clay County, Missouri, United States

Excelsior Springs, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Oakville, MO to Excelsior Springs, MO is 244.8 miles and takes about 4h 53m via Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, traversing Missouri for its entirety. Expect a drive that primarily uses surface roads, making it a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate experience. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, offering a straightforward connection between these two Missouri locations.

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

122.4 miles from Oakville, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m 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
Avenue of the Saints 25.4 mi 30m
MO 13 24.6 mi 31m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 21.7 mi 23m
MO 10 16.6 mi 23m
I 270 12 mi 15m
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 28 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

3 PM

~1,972 veh/hr typical · worst 2,520

Quietest

1 AM

~217 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

9.1×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 105 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 Excelsior Springs, 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 12 Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis Use 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: Wentzville Use the slight left lane.
11

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 9 sec · this road
Exit 12 Toward 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 1A Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City Use 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
19

Continue on I 70; US 40

20 mi · 21 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
20

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Exit 49 Toward MO 13: Higginsville, Warrensburg
21

Turn right onto MO 13

25 mi · 31 min · MO 13
22

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward MO 10 West: Excelsior Springs
23

Continue on MO 10

2.6 mi · 3 min · MO 10
24

Keep slight right at fork onto MO 10

14 mi · 20 min · MO 10
Toward MO 10 West: Excelsior Springs
25

Turn right onto South Thompson Avenue

105 ft · 4 sec · South Thompson Avenue
26

Arrive at destination

South Thompson Avenue

Trip Plan

Given this route can be completed in under 5 hours, you have flexibility on when to depart. Leaving in the morning allows ample time for any brief stops you might need. The fuel cost is estimated at $39, so ensure your tank is sufficiently full before setting out, especially as you'll encounter more surface roads where fuel stops might be less frequent than on interstates. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition from Dwight D Eisenhower Highway onto surface roads, as this is where the driving experience changes most significantly.

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 122.4 miles from Oakville, MO, or about 2h 29m 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 54 miles or 1h 9m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 122.4 miles or 2h 29m 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 54m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Excelsior Springs, 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 244.8 miles and 4h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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.

Downtown Wright City, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wright City, MO

122 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

Wright City, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Columbia, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 122.4 miles from Oakville, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dwight D Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.7 miles.

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 16.3 and 227.9 — 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
6
203.2 mi into trip | ~3h 57m in

Take the exit toward MO 13: Higginsville, Warrensburg

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 49 Toward MO 13: Higginsville, Warrensburg
6
227.9 mi into trip | ~4h 28m in

Take the exit toward MO 10 West: Excelsior Springs

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward MO 10 West: Excelsior Springs

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.95 one way

$75.91 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 86 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.32 $41.62 $83.23
premium $4.93 $47.50 $94.99
diesel $5.60 $53.96 $107.92

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$38

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 85.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 73.4 0 $25.70 $11.75
Efficient EV 61.2 0 $21.42 $9.79
EV Truck/SUV 97.9 1 $34.27 $15.67

Gas CO2

86 kg

EV CO2

29 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 Sep 4, 2026

Origin

Oakville, MO

Evening in Oakville on Friday

Local time

5:06 PM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Excelsior Springs, MO

Evening in Excelsior Springs on Friday

Local time

5:06 PM

CDT

Current temp

68°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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

4h 53m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is mostly surface roads, with only 23% of the total mileage on highways. You'll experience the longest stretch of continuous highway driving on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway for 80.7 miles. After this segment, the route transitions to surface roads, which often means navigating through towns and more varied traffic patterns. Be prepared for a change in pace as you move from higher-speed highway cruising to more local road conditions.

Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 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?

8/10

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 Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 244.8 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

Mostly flat terrain

886 ft 507 ft

Total Climb

590 ft

Total Descent

403 ft

Highest Point

886 ft

~70 mi in

Elevation Range

379 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Oakville, MO and Excelsior Springs, MO, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Warrensburg.

Saint Louis

16.3 mi in | ~22m

Warrensburg

203.2 mi in | ~3h 57m

About the Cities

Starting in Oakville, MO

Full guide →

Arriving in Excelsior Springs, MO

Full guide →

Founded 1880

Top landmarks

  • Elms Hotel — building in Excelsior Springs, Missouri
  • The Elms Historic District — historic district in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, United States

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 53m. Total distance: 244.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

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.

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 Excelsior Springs, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Excelsior Springs, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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