Origin
Sparta, MO
Late night in Sparta on Friday
Local time
2:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sparta, MO to Castle Point, MO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 37m
Distance
291.2 mi
469 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 24m
★
6 AM
5h 38m
8 AM
6h 4m
10 AM
5h 47m
12 PM
5h 44m
3 PM
5h 48m
5 PM
6h 3m
8 PM
5h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sparta, MO
Valeria Boltneva
Castle Point, MO
Gergely Meszárcsek
Trip Overview
Sparta, MO to Castle Point, MO is 291.2 miles and takes about 5h 37m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a drive that primarily utilizes surface roads, offering a more grounded perspective of the landscape compared to a pure interstate experience. With a recommended single day for travel, this route is well-suited for a straightforward journey between these two Missouri points.
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
145.6 miles from Sparta, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 42m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 157.4 mi | 3h 1m |
| U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway | 54.4 mi | 58m |
| I 435 | 28 mi | 30m |
| I 29 | 20.9 mi | 22m |
| I 270 | 9 mi | 11m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| MO 371 | 4 mi | 7m |
| Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 157.4 mi, about 3h 1m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 76 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,489 veh/hr typical · worst 4,086
Quietest
2 AM
~315 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
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 Sparta, MO and Castle Point, MO.
1
Start on MO 371
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
MO 371
2
Turn left onto MO DD
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Grand DD
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas City
4
Merge onto I 29; US 71
19 mi
·
20 min
·
I 29; US 71
5
Merge onto I 29; I 435; US 71
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 29; I 435; US 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 435
28 mi
·
30 min
·
I 435
Exit 14
Toward I 435 East: Saint Louis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
US 24
Exit 63
Toward I 70, US 24 West, US 40: Saint Louis, Kansas City, Sports Complex
8
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
469 ft
·
11 sec
Toward I 70 East: Saint Louis
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
10
Merge onto I 70
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
George Brett Super Highway
11
Continue on I 70
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
12
Continue on I 70
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 70
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
14
Continue on I 70
53 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15
Continue on I 70; US 40
32 mi
·
34 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi
·
24 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' 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
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
19
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
20
Continue on I 70; US 40
103 mi
·
2 hr 2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Exit 232
Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
Use the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 270 North: Chicago
Use the slight left lane.
23
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
this road
Exit 232
Toward I 270 North: Chicago
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 270 North: Chicago
Use the straight lane.
25
Merge onto I 270
9.0 mi
·
11 min
·
I 270
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 30
Toward AC: New Halls Ferry Road, Old Halls Ferry Road
27
Turn straight onto Pershall Road
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
Pershall Road
28
Turn right onto MO AC
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
New Halls Ferry Road
29
Continue on MO AC
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
Halls Ferry Road
30
Turn left onto Hudson Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Hudson Drive
31
Turn right onto Edgefield Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Edgefield Drive
32
Turn left onto Duchess Drive
0.2 mi
·
56 sec
·
Duchess Drive
33
Turn left onto Lord Drive
284 ft
·
12 sec
·
Lord Drive
34
Arrive at destination
Lord Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 37m estimated drive time, departing Sparta, MO in the morning should allow you to reach Castle Point, MO with ample daylight remaining. While the trip is manageable in one day, the 157.4-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway presents a good opportunity for a mid-drive break before you transition to surface roads. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you move onto surface roads where stations might be less frequent than on the interstate. Planning for a single stop around the halfway point could break up the drive nicely.
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 145.6 miles from Sparta, MO, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 157.4 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 64 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.6 miles or 2h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Castle Point, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sparta, 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 Sparta, MO
This is one driving day of about 291.2 miles and 5h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Sparta, 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 157.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
146 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 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 145.6 miles from Sparta, 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 157.4 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 205 decision points cluster between mile 26.1 and 279.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
26.1 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
I 435
Keep slight right at fork onto I 435 toward I 435 East: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 14
Toward I 435 East: Saint Louis
7
54.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m 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
54.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m 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
8
278.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 18m in
Take the exit toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
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 232
Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
8
279.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 270 North: Chicago
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.15 one way
$90.29 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
102 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $49.50 | $99.01 |
| premium | $4.93 | $56.50 | $112.99 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $64.19 | $128.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 87.4 | 1 | $30.58 | $13.98 |
| Efficient EV | 72.8 | 0 | $25.48 | $11.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 116.5 | 1 | $40.77 | $18.64 |
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Castle Point, MO
Late night in Castle Point on Friday
Local time
2:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Columbia, MO
146 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
15 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
5h 37m 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 features 21% highway driving, with the longest continuous stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway measuring 157.4 miles. After this section, you'll transition to surface roads for the remainder of your trip. You'll notice the change from higher-speed highway cruising to more varied surface road conditions, which can include more frequent intersections and potentially slower local traffic. This shift means you'll be covering ground at a different pace for a significant portion of the 291.2-mile route.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 157.4 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 26.1 miles in near I 435.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 291.2 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 26.1 miles (I 435): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.1 miles (US 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,136 ft
495 ft
Total Climb
448 ft
Total Descent
1,089 ft
Highest Point
1,136 ft
Elevation Range
641 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sparta, MO and Castle Point, MO, road signs point toward Kansas City and Sports Complex.
Kansas City
54.1 mi in
|
~1h 3m
|
via US 24
Sports Complex
54.1 mi in
|
~1h 3m
|
via US 24
About the Cities
Starting in Sparta, MO
Full guide →Arriving in Castle Point, MO
Full guide →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 5h 37m. Total distance: 291.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 157.4 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 Castle Point, 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 26.1 miles (I 435): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.1 miles (US 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Castle Point, MO before the return drive.
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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