Smithville, MO to Chesterfield, MO is 248.6 miles and takes about 4h 46m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Missouri, connecting two points in the Midwest region. Given the relatively short duration and mostly surface road profile, this route is best suited for a single-day drive. Plan for a straightforward trip with minimal complexity, making it a convenient option for moving between these two 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
124.3 miles from Smithville, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
135.3 mi
2h 34m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
I 435
21.1 mi
23m
Avenue of the Saints
16.6 mi
19m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
5.6 mi
6m
US 169
5.4 mi
7m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.9 mi
2m
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 135.3 mi, about 2h 34m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 23 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,281 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,830
Quietest
1 AM
~292 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
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 Smithville, MO and Chesterfield, MO.
1
Start on this road
67 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto MO DD
0.2 mi·40 sec·West Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 169
5.4 mi·7 min·US 169
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·52 sec
Toward I 435 East: Saint LouisUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 435
21 mi·23 min·I 435
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24
0.3 mi·23 sec·US 24
Exit 63Toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Kansas City, Sports Complex
7
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·1 min
Toward I 70 East: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
469 ft·11 sec
Toward I 70 East: Saint LouisUse the slight left / straight lanes.
32 mi·34 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi·24 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
16
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
17
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
18
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
19
Continue on I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
20
Take the exit onto US 40
0.3 mi·33 sec·US 40
Exit 210AToward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
21
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
17 mi·19 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 17Toward Boone's CrossingUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn right onto Boone's Crossing
0.1 mi·21 sec·Boone's Crossing
Use the right lane.
24
Turn left onto Chesterfield Airport Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Chesterfield Airport Road
25
Turn slight right
212 ft·7 sec
Toward Baxter RoadUse the right lane.
26
Turn slight right onto Baxter Road
0.3 mi·33 sec·Baxter Road
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left onto Old Chesterfield Road
0.2 mi·40 sec·Old Chesterfield Road
28
Turn right onto Santa Maria Drive
107 ft·4 sec·Santa Maria Drive
29
Arrive at destination
Santa Maria Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 46m estimated drive time, starting your trip in the morning will give you plenty of flexibility. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $39, this is a manageable one-day excursion. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition from highway driving to surface roads, as fuel availability can vary. The longest stretch on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is over 135 miles, so consider a brief stop before embarking on that segment to ensure you're comfortable for the longer stretch.
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 124.3 miles from Smithville, MO, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.3 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 55 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.3 miles or 2h 18m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chesterfield, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Smithville, 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 Smithville, MO
This is one driving day of about 248.6 miles and 4h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Smithville, 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 135.3 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.6 and 246.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.6 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the exit toward I 435 East: Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 435 East: Saint Louis
7
27.1 mi into trip|~33m in|US 24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24 toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Kansas City, Sports Complex
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 63
Toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Ka...
7
27.3 mi into trip|~33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
7
28.5 mi into trip|~35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
7
246.6 mi into trip|~4h 41m in
Take the exit toward Boone's Crossing
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 17
Toward Boone's Crossing
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.71 one way
$73.43 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$40.53
$81.06
premium
$4.72
$46.16
$92.31
diesel
$4.80
$46.94
$93.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.6
0
$26.10
$11.93
Efficient EV
62.2
0
$21.75
$9.94
EV Truck/SUV
99.4
1
$34.80
$15.91
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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
Smithville, MO
Late night
in Smithville on Sunday
Local time
1:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 8 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Chesterfield, MO
Late night
in Chesterfield on Sunday
Local time
1:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 to 9 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
91°F
Columbia, MO
124 mi in
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
4h 46m 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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
$19
near mile 248.6
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 about 11% on highways. You'll spend the majority of your time on local streets and two-lane highways, with the longest stretch on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway measuring 135.3 miles. Expect frequent intersections and changes in speed limits as you navigate through towns and rural areas. The highway portion will likely feel different, offering a chance to cover more ground more quickly.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 135.3 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 5.6 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 248.6 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 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.1 miles (US 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
912 ft472 ft
Total Climb
405 ft
Total Descent
748 ft
Highest Point
912 ft
~159.8 mi in
Elevation Range
439 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Smithville, MO and Chesterfield, MO, road signs point toward Kansas City and Sports Complex.
Kansas City
27.1 mi in|~33m|via US 24
Sports Complex
27.1 mi in|~33m|via US 24
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 46m. Total distance: 248.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 135.3 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 35 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 Chesterfield, 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 35 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.1 miles (US 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Chesterfield, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
