If you are planning a trip from Sappington to East Independence, expect a journey covering 235.8 miles across the Missouri Midwest. You should budget about 3 hours and 40 minutes of travel time, making this a manageable one-day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. With a fuel cost of approximately $36, it is a relatively affordable trek between these two points. Because the route relies on local roads like Sappington and Gravois rather than a straight highway shot, it offers a distinct pace compared to typical cross-state travel. Whether you are heading out for business or a visit, this drive provides a straightforward connection within the state.
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
117.2 miles from Sappington, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m 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 270
8.1 mi
10m
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
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 17 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,952 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,444
Quietest
1 AM
~261 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.3×
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 Sappington, MO and East Independence, MO.
1
Start on Denny Road
60 ft·9 sec·Denny Road
2
Turn left onto Sappington Road
226 ft·7 sec·Sappington Road
3
Turn right onto MO 30
1.2 mi·2 min·Gravois Road
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·33 sec
Toward I 270 North
5
Merge onto I 270
8.1 mi·10 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 12Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
7
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.
8
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·9 sec·this road
Exit 12Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
9
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi·30 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
10
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.
11
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi·58 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
16
Continue on I 70; US 40
52 mi·56 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 17Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall EntranceUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi·3 min·South Little Blue Parkway
19
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
0.2 mi·37 sec·East R.D. Mize Road
20
Turn right onto South Jackson Drive
1.2 mi·2 min·South Jackson Drive
21
Turn straight onto Holke Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Holke Road
22
Turn left onto East Truman Road
0.7 mi·1 min·East Truman Road
23
Turn right onto Main Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Main Road
24
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
79 ft·3 sec·East 9th Street South
25
Arrive at destination
East 9th Street South
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy, 3-hour and 40-minute drive, plan your departure for a time when you are alert and comfortable navigating local roads. You only have one planned stop, so use it strategically to stretch your legs and refresh after the technical sections of the route. Because the drive is under four hours, you have the flexibility to make the trip in a single day without feeling rushed. Keep a close eye on your navigation, as the reliance on Gravois Road and Sappington Road means you should pay extra attention to local signage rather than relying solely on interstate markers. Budgeting $36 for gas is a good baseline, but keep a little extra set aside for local traffic fluctuations.
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 117.2 miles from Sappington, MO, or about 2h 21m 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 52 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.2 miles or 2h 21m 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 43m
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 Sappington, 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 Sappington, MO
This is one driving day of about 234.5 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Sappington, 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 229.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Sappington Road
Turn left onto Sappington Road
Navigation decision point
8
9.8 mi into trip|~13m 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
9.9 mi into trip|~13m 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
35.8 mi into trip|~45m 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
229.3 mi into trip|~4h 23m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.63 one way
$69.26 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$38.23
$76.46
premium
$4.72
$43.54
$87.08
diesel
$4.80
$44.28
$88.56
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.4
0
$24.62
$11.26
Efficient EV
58.6
0
$20.52
$9.38
EV Truck/SUV
93.8
1
$32.83
$15.01
Gas CO2
82 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Sappington, MO
Late night
in Sappington on Sunday
Local time
5:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
W 9 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:57AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
East Independence, MO
Late night
in East Independence on Sunday
Local time
5:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 7 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:57AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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 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 34m 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?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route relies on Sappington Road, Gravois Road, and segments of I-270 North to navigate your way toward East Independence. Because the highway share is 0%, you will spend your time navigating local infrastructure rather than cruising at high speeds on open freeways. The road's personality is defined by these frequent turns, requiring more focus than a simple highway sprint. You won't find one long, uninterrupted stretch here; instead, anticipate a more active driving experience that changes rhythm as you transition through the local road network.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 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?
7/10
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 early in the drive near Sappington Road.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 234.5 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: near the start (Sappington Road): Navigation decision point; at 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
890 ft500 ft
Total Climb
722 ft
Total Descent
488 ft
Highest Point
890 ft
~67 mi in
Elevation Range
390 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 34m. Total distance: 234.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m 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 31 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 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Sappington Road): Navigation decision point; at 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 4.6 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.
