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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 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
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 49Toward 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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
$40.84 one way
$81.67 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$44.56
$89.11
premium
$5.25
$50.63
$101.25
diesel
$6.18
$59.55
$119.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
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, 2026-10-19.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Oakville, MO
Late night
in Oakville on Wednesday
Local time
2:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Areas Of Fog then Sunny
SE 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Excelsior Springs, MO
Late night
in Excelsior Springs on Wednesday
Local time
2:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Partly Sunny
SSE 5 mph2% chanceLive 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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
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.
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 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 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 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 ft507 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.
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 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 25 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 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. There are 25 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.
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.
