Spanning 175.2 miles across the heart of Missouri, this trip from Warrenton to Blue Springs is an efficient journey that typically takes 2 hours and 43 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, it functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, eliminating the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $27 for fuel to complete the trek. The route transitions you across the Midwest, moving from the Warrenton area toward the suburban landscape of Blue Springs. It is a practical choice for travelers seeking a direct path between these two Missouri locations without unnecessary complications.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
87.7 miles from Warrenton, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
172.7 mi
3h 10m
MO 47
0.8 mi
1m
Northwest 15th Street
0.5 mi
1m
Northwest R D Mize Road
0.5 mi
1m
MO 7
0.5 mi
1m
East Booneslick Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Southwest 15th Street
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 172.7 mi, about 3h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Warrenton, MO and Blue Springs, MO.
1
Start on MO M
24 ft·4 sec·East Booneslick Road
2
Turn right onto MO 47
0.8 mi·1 min·MO 47
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·12 sec
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia, Jonesburg
4
Merge onto I 70; US 40
173 mi·3 hr 10 min·I 70; US 40
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 20Toward MO 7: Blue Springs, Lake LotawanaUse the slight right lane.
6
Turn left onto MO 7
0.5 mi·1 min·MO 7
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto Northwest R D Mize Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Northwest R D Mize Road
8
At end of road, turn left onto Northwest 15th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Northwest 15th Street
9
Arrive at destination
Southwest 15th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively quick trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though planning for one stop will help keep you refreshed. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition from I-70 to the local roads, as the route relies on specific turns onto MO-7 and Northwest R D Mize Road. Given the $27 fuel estimate, filling up before you leave Warrenton can save you from having to hunt for a station during the more technical, turn-heavy sections of the drive. Staying alert through the local segments is key, as the character of the road changes significantly once you exit the interstate. Prioritize a steady pace to handle the turns comfortably while maintaining your schedule.
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 87.7 miles from Warrenton, MO, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 172.7 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 39 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.7 miles or 1h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Blue Springs, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Warrenton, 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 Warrenton, MO
This is one driving day of about 175.4 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Warrenton, 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 I 70 for about 172.7 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 174.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.8 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia, Jonesburg
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia, Jonesbu...
8
173.7 mi into trip|~3h 12m in
Take the exit toward MO 7: Blue Springs, Lake Lotawana
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 20
Toward MO 7: Blue Springs, Lake Lotawana
5
173.9 mi into trip|~3h 12m in|MO 7
Turn left onto MO 7
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
174.4 mi into trip|~3h 13m in|Northwest R D Mize Road
Turn right onto Northwest R D Mize Road
Navigation decision point
5
174.9 mi into trip|~3h 14m in|Northwest 15th Street
At end of road, turn left onto Northwest 15th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.42 one way
$54.84 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.11
$60.22
premium
$4.89
$33.75
$67.51
diesel
$5.61
$38.73
$77.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.6
0
$18.42
$8.42
Efficient EV
43.9
0
$15.35
$7.02
EV Truck/SUV
70.2
0
$24.56
$11.23
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Warrenton, MO
Late night
in Warrenton on Sunday
Local time
1:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Blue Springs, MO
Late night
in Blue Springs on Sunday
Local time
1:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Columbia, MO
88 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
4 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
3h 16m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that requires your full attention as you transition off the main thoroughfares. While you begin the journey on I-70 West, the route quickly shifts to MO-7 and Northwest R D Mize Road, moving away from high-speed interstate cruising. This mix of roads demands a more engaged driving style compared to a simple highway drone. Navigating these local stretches means you will experience more frequent turns and varied road conditions. It is a departure from a standard highway grind, offering a more hands-on experience behind the wheel as you approach your destination.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
9 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 172.7 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and MO 47. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Warrenton, MO to Blue Springs, MO is easy. At 3h 16m with 99% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 173.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 173.9 miles (MO 7): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
974 ft630 ft
Total Climb
508 ft
Total Descent
419 ft
Highest Point
974 ft
~175.4 mi in
Elevation Range
344 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 16m. Total distance: 175.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 172.7 miles on I 70. 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 0.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 173.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 173.9 miles (MO 7): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Blue Springs, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
