St. Louis to Excelsior Springs is 242.2 miles and takes about 4h 48m via Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, and Avenue of the Saints, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Missouri, moving you from the Midwest region into another part of the Midwest. Given that it's mostly surface roads, expect a more leisurely pace than a pure interstate trip. It’s a straightforward route if you're looking for a direct way to get from the St. Louis area to Excelsior Springs.
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
121.1 miles from St. Louis, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 26m 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
27.8 mi
33m
MO 13
24.6 mi
31m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
21.7 mi
23m
MO 10
16.6 mi
23m
Daniel Boone Expressway
5.7 mi
7m
Jack Buck Memorial Highway
4.3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,993 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,486
Quietest
1 AM
~217 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.2×
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 St. Louis, MO and Excelsior Springs, MO.
1
Start on Market Street
1.6 mi·3 min·Market Street
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West: Wentzville
3
Merge onto I 64; US 40
4.3 mi·5 min·Jack Buck Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on I 64; US 40
5.7 mi·7 min·Daniel Boone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on I 64; US 40; US 61
28 mi·33 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
6
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.
7
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
8
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
9
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
10
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi·58 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
20 mi·21 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 49Toward MO 13: Higginsville, Warrensburg
14
Turn right onto MO 13
25 mi·31 min·MO 13
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward MO 10 West: Excelsior Springs
16
Continue on MO 10
2.6 mi·3 min·MO 10
17
Keep slight right at fork onto MO 10
14 mi·20 min·MO 10
Toward MO 10 West: Excelsior Springs
18
Turn right onto South Thompson Avenue
105 ft·4 sec·South Thompson Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
South Thompson Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 4h 48m drive, leaving in the morning allows ample time to reach Excelsior Springs before evening. Since it's a single-day trip with only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition to surface roads, where gas stations might be less frequent. The $38 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's wise to budget a little extra. Given the majority of the drive is on surface roads, aim to complete the highway portion during daylight hours if possible.
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 121.1 miles from St. Louis, MO, or about 2h 26m 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 53 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.1 miles or 2h 26m 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 Excelsior Springs, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving St. Louis, 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 St. Louis, MO
This is one driving day of about 242.2 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from St. Louis, 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 228.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.9 mi into trip|~3m in|I 64; US 40 / Jack Buck Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 64; US 40 / Jack Buck Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
39.7 mi into trip|~50m 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
200.5 mi into trip|~3h 52m 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
225.3 mi into trip|~4h 23m in
Take the exit toward MO 10 West: Excelsior Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward MO 10 West: Excelsior Springs
5
228.2 mi into trip|~4h 27m in|MO 10
Keep slight right at fork onto MO 10 toward MO 10 West: Excelsior Springs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward MO 10 West: Excelsior Springs
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.27 one way
$80.54 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$43.86
$87.73
premium
$5.18
$49.42
$98.84
diesel
$5.35
$51.01
$102.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.7
0
$25.43
$11.63
Efficient EV
60.6
0
$21.19
$9.69
EV Truck/SUV
96.9
1
$33.91
$15.50
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 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 May 29, 2026
Origin
St. Louis, MO
Afternoon
in St. Louis on Wednesday
Local time
3:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Cloudy
SE 9 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 29 at 2:11PM CDT until May 30 at 3:27PM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
Destination
Excelsior Springs, MO
Afternoon
in Excelsior Springs on Wednesday
Local time
3:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 7 mph28% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 29 at 2:11PM CDT until May 30 at 3:27PM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
66°F
Washington, MO
121 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
6 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 48m 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?
About 20% of this 242.2-mile drive is on highways, with the longest highway stretch being 80.7 miles on the Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. After that, you'll transition to mostly surface roads for the remainder of your trip. Be prepared for a change in pace as you move from highway cruising to navigating local roads. You'll likely notice more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds as you get closer to your destination.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 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?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near I 64; US 40 / Jack Buck Memorial Highway.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 242.2 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles (I 64; US 40 / Jack Buck Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.7 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
881 ft464 ft
Total Climb
648 ft
Total Descent
327 ft
Highest Point
881 ft
~69.2 mi in
Elevation Range
417 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from St. Louis, MO to Excelsior Springs, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Warrensburg along the way.
The Gateway City of St. Louis is the epitome of the modern Midwestern metropolis. Missouri's second-largest city is vibrant but laid-back, populous but navigable, historic but still relevant. The city's planners have created an aesthetically beautiful city, with plenty of green space amidst buildings both old and new, framed by the majestic Mississippi and Missouri rivers. And capping it all is the world's tallest man-made monument, the beautiful and iconic Gateway Arch.
St. Louis is a city of culture and surprisingly inexpensive. Among American cities, only Washington, D.C. has more free attractions for tourists and residents alike. Hotels, restaurants, and even parking garages avoid the premium pricing common in other big cities. Although often overlooked, St. Louis can be an affordable, educational, and fun family getaway.
Top landmarks
•Gateway Arch — monument in St. Louis, Missouri
•Missouri Botanical Garden — non-profit organization in the USA
•Gateway Arch National Park — American National Park in St. Louis, Missouri
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 242.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m 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 27 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles (I 64; US 40 / Jack Buck Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.7 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Excelsior Springs, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
