This road trip covers 222.6 miles from Wildwood, MO, to East Independence, MO, and is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 24 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $35, it's an economical option for a quick getaway. The route primarily utilizes major highways, making up about 3/4 of the journey. You'll experience a straightforward drive through the Midwest, connecting two points within Missouri. This trip is well-suited as a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination and return or settle in without needing an overnight stop.
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
111.3 miles from Wildwood, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m 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
13.6 mi
16m
MO 109
4.9 mi
7m
South Eatherton Road
2.4 mi
4m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2 mi
2m
South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wildwood, MO and East Independence, MO.
1
Start on this road
130 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn right
77 ft·5 sec
3
Turn right
114 ft·13 sec
4
Turn left onto Manchester Road
0.4 mi·56 sec·Manchester Road
5
Turn left onto Pond Road
0.3 mi·53 sec·Pond Road
6
Turn right onto MO 100
0.5 mi·39 sec·MO 100
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward MO 109
8
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
224 ft·4 sec·MO 109
9
Continue on MO 109
515 ft·10 sec·MO 109
10
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
98 ft·1 sec·MO 109
11
Continue on MO 109
0.4 mi·45 sec·MO 109
12
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
94 ft·2 sec·MO 109
13
Continue on MO 109
4.3 mi·6 min·MO 109
14
Enter roundabout onto South Eatherton Road
94 ft·1 sec·South Eatherton Road
15
Continue on South Eatherton Road
2.4 mi·4 min·South Eatherton Road
16
Continue on Olive Street Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Olive Street Road
17
Take the ramp onto Chesterfield Airport Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Chesterfield Airport Road
18
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
14 mi·16 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
19
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.
20
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
21
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
22
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
23
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
24
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi·58 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
25
Continue on I 70; US 40
52 mi·56 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 17Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall EntranceUse the slight right lane.
27
Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi·3 min·South Little Blue Parkway
28
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
0.2 mi·37 sec·East R.D. Mize Road
29
Turn right onto South Jackson Drive
1.2 mi·2 min·South Jackson Drive
30
Turn straight onto Holke Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Holke Road
31
Turn left onto East Truman Road
0.7 mi·1 min·East Truman Road
32
Turn right onto Main Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Main Road
33
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
79 ft·3 sec·East 9th Street South
34
Arrive at destination
East 9th Street South
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 24-minute duration, starting your drive in the morning will allow ample time to reach East Independence, MO, with daylight to spare. While the route has only one recommended stop, consider breaking up the 80.7-mile longest stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for a brief refresh. The estimated fuel cost of $35 is budget-friendly, so factor that into your planning. Keep an eye on your navigation, especially as the route profile indicates a 'turn-heavy local drive' component, which means staying alert to upcoming turns is key to a smooth journey.
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 111.3 miles from Wildwood, MO, or about 2h 19m 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 49 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.3 miles or 2h 19m 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 35m
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 Wildwood, 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 Wildwood, MO
This is one driving day of about 222.6 miles and 4h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Wildwood, 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 217.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in|MO 109
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in|MO 109
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
10.4 mi into trip|~19m in|I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
23.9 mi into trip|~35m 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
217.4 mi into trip|~4h 13m 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
$34.80 one way
$69.60 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$38.21
$76.42
premium
$4.89
$42.84
$85.67
diesel
$5.61
$49.15
$98.29
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: 77.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.8
0
$23.37
$10.68
Efficient EV
55.7
0
$19.48
$8.90
EV Truck/SUV
89
1
$31.16
$14.25
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Wildwood, MO
Late night
in Wildwood on Tuesday
Local time
3:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
East Independence, MO
Late night
in East Independence on Tuesday
Local time
3:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
7 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 24m 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?
Expect a drive that's a mix of highway and local roads, with the profile described as 'turn-heavy local drive.' While 75% of your journey will be on highways like the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, there will be moments where you navigate more intricate local routes. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 80.7 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, offering a period of consistent travel before potentially encountering more turns. This suggests a drive that requires attention to navigation as you transition between faster highway segments and more involved local roads.
Only 3% 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: 80.7 mi on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 21 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in near MO 109.
Driving Effort5/10
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 222.6 miles you will encounter 21 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 1.5 miles (MO 109): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.6 miles (MO 109): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 10.4 miles (I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 24m. Total distance: 222.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (3%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
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 1.5 miles (MO 109): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.6 miles (MO 109): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 10.4 miles (I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at East Independence, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
