The drive from Dexter, MO to East Independence, MO covers 393.1 miles and takes about 7h 28m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 55, Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 129 miles on I 55.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $61.46 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
196.5 miles from Dexter, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 42m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 28m. Total distance: 393.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 28m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Dexter, MO to East Independence, MO covers 393.1 miles and takes about 7h 28m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 129 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 155.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 393.1 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 155.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 156.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
155.8 mi into trip|~2h 51m in
Take the exit toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
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 196
Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chi...
8
156.1 mi into trip|~2h 52m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
8
168.4 mi into trip|~3h 7m in
Take the exit toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
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 12
Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Lo...
8
168.5 mi into trip|~3h 8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Went...
8
194.4 mi into trip|~3h 39m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dexter, MO and East Independence, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.
Chicago
155.8 mi in|~2h 51m
Saint Louis
168.4 mi in|~3h 7m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
129 mi
2h 18m
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
25.4 mi
30m
I 270
11.5 mi
14m
US 60
7.1 mi
8m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 129 mi, about 2h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dexter, MO and East Independence, MO.
1
Start on North Walnut Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·North Walnut Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto US 60 Business
0.4 mi·49 sec·US 60 Business
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 60 Business; MO 25
1.3 mi·1 min·US 60 Business; MO 25
4
Take the ramp
16 mi·18 min
5
Continue on US 60
7.1 mi·8 min·US 60
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 1BToward I 55 North: Saint Louis
7
Merge onto I 55
27 mi·29 min·I 55
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
102 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 55
9
Continue on I 55
1.3 mi·1 min·Rosa Parks Highway
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 196Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
388 ft·8 sec
Toward I 270 West: Kansas CityUse the slight left lane.
12
Continue on this road
0.7 mi·1 min·this road
Exit 196Toward I 270 West
13
Merge onto I 270
11 mi·14 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 12Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: WentzvilleUse the slight left lane.
16
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·9 sec·this road
Exit 12Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
17
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi·30 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
18
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.
19
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
20
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
21
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
22
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
23
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi·58 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
24
Continue on I 70; US 40
52 mi·56 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 17Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall EntranceUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi·3 min·South Little Blue Parkway
27
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
0.2 mi·37 sec·East R.D. Mize Road
28
Turn right onto South Jackson Drive
1.2 mi·2 min·South Jackson Drive
29
Turn straight onto Holke Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Holke Road
30
Turn left onto East Truman Road
0.7 mi·1 min·East Truman Road
31
Turn right onto Main Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Main Road
32
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
79 ft·3 sec·East 9th Street South
33
Arrive at destination
East 9th Street South
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 196.5 miles from Dexter, MO, or about 3h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129 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 86 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 196.5 miles or 3h 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 6h 18m
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 Dexter, 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 Dexter, MO
This is one driving day of about 393.1 miles and 7h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Dexter, 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 I 55 for about 129 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 196.5 mi from Dexter, MO
· 3h 42m into the drive
The midpoint is around 196.5 miles from Dexter, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129 miles.
Arriving in East Independence, MO
The final approach into East Independence, 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 East Independence, 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.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Shogun Japanese Sushi and Hibachi
4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Near the start, short detour
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
$20 to $30
mile 56.2
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 108.4
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
$19
near mile 162.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.46 one way
$122.91 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg138 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$67.48
$134.95
premium
$4.89
$75.65
$151.30
diesel
$5.61
$86.79
$173.58
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 137.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
19 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Blink Charging Station
Columbia, Missouri
Blink
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Kingdom City, Missouri
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Columbia, Missouri
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Rivian Adventure Network
Columbia, Missouri
Rivian
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Columbia, Missouri
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Columbia, Missouri
Tesla
1 DCFC
EVgo Charging Station
Wentzville, Missouri
EVgo
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Kingdom City, Missouri
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 5
Blink: 4
Tesla Destination: 3
Tesla: 2
EV Connect: 2
Rivian: 1
EVgo: 1
Other: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
117.9
1
$41.28
$18.87
Efficient EV
98.3
1
$34.40
$15.72
EV Truck/SUV
157.2
1
$55.03
$25.16
Gas CO2
138 kg
EV CO2
46 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 as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Dexter, MO
Night
in Dexter on Friday
Local time
10:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
East Independence, MO
Night
in East Independence on Friday
Local time
10:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 16 mph86% chanceLive forecast
57°F
Chesterfield, MO
197 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
27 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 28m 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 Dexter, MO to East Independence, MO covers 393.1 miles and takes about 7h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, Dwight D Eisenhower 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 196.5 miles from Dexter, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $61.46 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 21 significant decision points across 393.1 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 155.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 156.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Dexter, MO and East Independence, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
