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Trip from Blue Springs, MO to Dexter, MO

Drive Time

7h 15m

Distance

385 mi

620 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$58

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
7h 5m ★
6 AM
7h 16m
8 AM
7h 37m
10 AM
7h 23m
12 PM
7h 21m
3 PM
7h 24m
5 PM
7h 36m
8 PM
7h 9m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Blue Springs, MO, MO

Blue Springs, MO

卓浩 虞

Downtown Dexter, MO, MO

Dexter, MO

Mikhail Nilov

Trip Overview

The drive from Blue Springs, MO to Dexter, MO covers 385 miles and takes about 7h 15m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 131.6 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $58.48 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

192.5 miles from Blue Springs, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 38m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 7h 15m drive with frequent turns across 385 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 131.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 1.4 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 385 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 1.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 191.1 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 216.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
1.4 mi into trip | ~3m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 70 East: Columbia

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 70 East: Columbia
6
191.1 mi into trip | ~3h 36m in | US 40

Take the exit onto US 40 toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 210A Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Ches...
8
216.5 mi into trip | ~4h 7m 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 25 Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
7
216.8 mi into trip | ~4h 8m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 270 South: Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 270 South: Memphis
8
228.7 mi into trip | ~4h 23m in

Take the exit toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 1A Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis...

Towns Along This Route

Between Blue Springs, MO and Dexter, MO, road signs point toward Memphis and Poplar Bluff.

Memphis

216.5 mi in | ~4h 7m

Poplar Bluff

359.4 mi in | ~6h 44m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 131.6 mi 2h 29m
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway 126.7 mi 2h 15m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway 54.4 mi 58m
Avenue of the Saints 25.1 mi 30m
US 60 22.6 mi 26m
I 270 11.5 mi 14m
US 60 Business 2.1 mi 3m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway 1.9 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 131.6 mi, about 2h 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Blue Springs, MO and Dexter, MO.

1

Start on Southwest 15th Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Southwest 15th Street
2

Turn right onto Northwest R D Mize Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Northwest R D Mize Road
3

Turn left

0.4 mi · 1 min
4

Turn slight right

85 ft · 2 sec
5

Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East: Columbia

0.2 mi · 27 sec · I 70 East: Columbia
6

Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

49 mi · 52 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
7

Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

32 mi · 34 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
8

Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

22 mi · 24 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
9

Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
10

Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

1.6 mi · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
11

Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

1.9 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
12

Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

81 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
13

Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield

0.3 mi · 33 sec · I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
14

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

25 mi · 30 min · Avenue of the Saints
15

Take the exit slight right toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis

0.3 mi · 39 sec · I 270: Chicago, Memphis
16

Keep slight right to continue on I 270 South: Memphis

0.3 mi · 31 sec · I 270 South: Memphis
17

Merge slight left

11 mi · 14 min
18

Take the exit slight right toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road

0.4 mi · 27 sec · I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road
19

Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Memphis

0.4 mi · 44 sec · I 55 South: Memphis
20

Merge slight left onto Rosa Parks Highway

1.5 mi · 1 min · Rosa Parks Highway
21

Continue on Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway

1.8 mi · 2 min · Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
22

Continue on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway

127 mi · 2 hr 15 min · Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
23

Take the exit slight right toward US 60 West: Dexter, Poplar Bluff

0.5 mi · 1 min · US 60 West: Dexter, Poplar Bluff
24

Merge slight left

23 mi · 26 min
25

Take the exit slight right toward MO 25, US 60 Business: Dexter, Bloomfield

0.3 mi · 41 sec · MO 25, US 60 Business: Dexter, Bloomfield
26

Turn left

1.4 mi · 2 min
27

Turn right

0.4 mi · 49 sec
28

Turn left onto North Walnut Street

0.3 mi · 37 sec · North Walnut Street
29

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 192.5 miles from Blue Springs, MO, or about 3h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131.6 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 85 miles or 1h 33m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 192.5 miles or 3h 38m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 7m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dexter, MO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Blue Springs, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Blue Springs, MO

This is one driving day of about 385 miles and 7h 15m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Blue Springs, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 131.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 192.5 mi from Blue Springs, MO · 3h 38m into the drive

Downtown Alton, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Alton, IL

193 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

Quincy, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 85 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Alton, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 192.5 miles from Blue Springs, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 131.6 miles.

Arriving in Dexter, MO

The final approach into Dexter, MO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Dexter, MO.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park

Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Established by 1750, Ste. Geneviève was the first permanent European settlement in Missouri. Early French Canadian settlers were drawn here by the rich agricultural land known as Le Grand Champ (the B...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free near mile 278.8
Park Closure: Delassus-Kern House and Grounds Closed
View on nps.gov
Gateway Arch National Park

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...

13 mi from route ~33 min detour $19 near mile 225.7
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$58.48 one way

$116.96 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 135 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $64.46 $128.93
premium $4.80 $72.68 $145.36
diesel $5.64 $85.53 $171.07

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$58

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$83–$108

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 134.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 115.5 1 $40.43 $18.48
Efficient EV 96.3 1 $33.69 $15.40
EV Truck/SUV 154 1 $53.90 $24.64

Gas CO2

135 kg

EV CO2

45 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Blue Springs, MO

Late night in Blue Springs on Monday

Local time

4:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Dexter, MO

Late night in Dexter on Monday

Local time

4:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

63°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

14 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

7h 15m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Blue Springs, MO to Dexter, MO covers 385 miles and takes about 7h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 192.5 miles from Blue Springs, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $58.48 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 385 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 191.1 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 216.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Blue Springs, MO and Dexter, MO, road signs point toward Memphis and Poplar Bluff.

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