Origin
Rock Hill, MO
Night in Rock Hill on Saturday
Local time
11:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rock Hill, MO to East Independence, MO
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 32m
Distance
230.1 mi
370 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 19m
★
6 AM
4h 32m
8 AM
4h 59m
10 AM
4h 42m
12 PM
4h 39m
3 PM
4h 43m
5 PM
4h 58m
8 PM
4h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rock Hill, MO
Fahad Puthawala
East Independence, MO
Momo King
Trip Overview
Rock Hill, MO to East Independence, MO is 230.1 miles and takes about 4h 32m via Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, beginning and ending in Missouri. Expect a local drive with plenty of turns rather than a straightforward interstate cruise. With just one recommended stop and a drive time under five hours, this route is easily manageable for a single day, making it a convenient option for many travelers.
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
115 miles from Rock Hill, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 22m 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 |
| US 61 | 28.2 mi | 34m |
| Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway | 2 mi | 2m |
| South Little Blue Parkway | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| South Jackson Drive | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rock Hill, MO and East Independence, MO.
1
Start on Bluebell Lane
63 ft
·
2 sec
·
Bluebell Lane
2
Turn right onto Salem Hills Drive
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
Salem Hills Drive
3
Turn right onto Des Peres Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Des Peres Avenue
4
At end of road, turn left onto Old Warson Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Warson Road
5
Turn right onto Warson Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Warson Road
6
Turn left onto Litzsinger Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Litzsinger Road
7
Turn right onto US 61; US 67; HR 66
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Lindbergh Boulevard
8
Take the exit onto US 61
28 mi
·
34 min
·
US 61
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North
Use the straight lane.
9
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.
10
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi
·
58 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
15
Continue on I 70; US 40
52 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 17
Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Little Blue Parkway
18
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
East R.D. Mize Road
19
Turn right onto South Jackson Drive
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Jackson Drive
20
Turn straight onto Holke Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Holke Road
21
Turn left onto East Truman Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Truman Road
22
Turn right onto Main Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Road
23
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
79 ft
·
3 sec
·
East 9th Street South
24
Arrive at destination
East 9th Street South
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 32m duration and the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, starting your journey in the morning will give you ample daylight to navigate the route. While the drive is under five hours, you'll want to plan for your single recommended stop strategically. Consider breaking up the 80.7-mile stretch on the Dwight D Eisenhower Highway to refuel or stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your navigation system, as the numerous turns are a defining characteristic of this trip.
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 115 miles from Rock Hill, MO, or about 2h 22m 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 51 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115 miles or 2h 22m 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 41m
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 Rock Hill, 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 Rock Hill, MO
This is one driving day of about 230.1 miles and 4h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Rock Hill, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
115 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 115 miles from Rock Hill, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop 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 165 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 230.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Old Warson Road
At end of road, turn left onto Old Warson Road
Navigation decision point
7
3.3 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
US 61
Take the exit onto US 61 toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North
8
31.4 mi into trip
|
~43m 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
224.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 20m in
Take the exit toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance
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 17
Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall E...
5
230.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 32m in
|
East 9th Street South
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.97 one way
$71.95 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $39.50 | $78.99 |
| premium | $4.89 | $44.28 | $88.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.80 | $101.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69 | 0 | $24.16 | $11.04 |
| Efficient EV | 57.5 | 0 | $20.13 | $9.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92 | 1 | $32.21 | $14.73 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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.
Destination
East Independence, MO
Night in East Independence on Saturday
Local time
11:18 PM
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
27 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 32m 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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
$19
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a 'turn-heavy local drive' experience, with only 13% of the journey on highways. You'll spend most of your time navigating local roads, so be prepared for frequent changes in direction. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 80.7 miles, which occurs on the Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. This suggests a driving experience that requires consistent attention to navigation rather than a monotonous interstate grind.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 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?
4/10
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 0.6 miles in near Old Warson Road.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 32m drive. You will face about 16 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Old Warson Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles (US 61): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.4 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 32m. Total distance: 230.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (13%). Straightforward navigation.
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.
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 0.6 miles (Old Warson Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles (US 61): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.4 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 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at East Independence, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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Return Trip
East Independence, MO to Rock Hill, MOPlan the drive back the other way.
231.6 mi
4h 31m
Continue From East Independence, MO
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