Trip from East Independence, MO to Malden, MO

Drive Time

7h 52m

Distance

408.9 mi

658 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$62

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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East Independence, MO

Ankit Rainloure

Malden, MO

ShotPot

Trip Overview

Spanning 408.9 miles across Missouri, this journey from East Independence to Malden takes approximately 7 hours and 52 minutes. While it is technically possible to complete the trip in one day, the duration makes for a long haul behind the wheel. You will navigate primarily via the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, the Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway, and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. Budgeting around $62 for fuel is a smart move for your planning. Since both your start and end points are located within the Midwest, you can expect a consistent regional feel throughout the trek. It is a practical route for those needing to cross the state, though you should be prepared for a full day of driving.

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

204.4 miles from East Independence, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 55m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a mindless cruise. While you will spend 13% of your time on highways, the majority of the journey involves transitioning between various routes. You will face your longest uninterrupted stretch during a 135.3-mile segment on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The road’s personality shifts from major thoroughfares to more localized stretches, keeping the pace varied. Be ready for a mix of fast-moving highway travel and the more technical navigation required on the local portions of this 408.9-mile trip.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 34 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 135.3 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 5 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 408.9 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 5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.5 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 223.9 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.

5 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the ramp toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Exit 17 Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall E...

198.5 mi into trip | ~3h 48m 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...

223.9 mi into trip | ~4h 19m 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

224.2 mi into trip | ~4h 20m 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

236 mi into trip | ~4h 35m 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 East Independence, MO and Malden, MO, road signs point toward Memphis and Poplar Bluff.

Memphis

223.9 mi in | ~4h 19m

Poplar Bluff

366.8 mi in | ~6h 56m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway	135.3 mi	2h 34m
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
US 60 Business	16.3 mi	24m
I 270	11.5 mi	14m
North Douglas Street	2.3 mi	4m

Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 135.3 mi, about 2h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between East Independence, MO and Malden, MO.

Start on East 9th Street South

79 ft · 8 sec · East 9th Street South

Turn left onto Main Road

0.3 mi · 1 min · Main Road

Turn left onto East Truman Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Truman Road

Turn right onto Holke Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · Holke Road

Turn straight onto South Jackson Drive

1.2 mi · 2 min · South Jackson Drive

Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road

0.2 mi · 37 sec · East R.D. Mize Road

Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway

1.7 mi · 3 min · South Little Blue Parkway

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Exit 17 Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance Use the left lane.

Continue on I 70

53 mi · 56 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 70; US 40

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

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

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

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

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

Continue on I 70; US 40

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

Continue on I 70; US 40

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

Take the exit onto US 40

0.3 mi · 33 sec · US 40

Exit 210A Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield

Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61

25 mi · 30 min · Avenue of the Saints

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Exit 25 Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 31 sec

Toward I 270 South: Memphis Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 270

11 mi · 14 min · I 270

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 27 sec

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

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 43 sec

Toward I 55 South: Memphis

Merge onto I 55

1.5 mi · 1 min · Rosa Parks Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 55

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

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 55

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

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 66B Toward US 60 West: Dexter, Poplar Bluff

Merge onto US 60

23 mi · 26 min · US 60

Take the exit onto US 60 Business

0.3 mi · 40 sec · US 60 Business

Toward MO 25, US 60 Business: Dexter, Bloomfield

Turn left onto US 60 Business; MO 25

16 mi · 23 min · US 60 Business; MO 25

Continue on MO 25 Business

2.3 mi · 4 min · North Douglas Street

Turn left onto MO 25 Business

0.2 mi · 28 sec · West Main Street

Turn right onto MO 25 Business

442 ft · 10 sec · South Madison Street

Turn right onto West Laclede Street

63 ft · 2 sec · West Laclede Street

Arrive at destination

West Laclede Street

Trip Plan

To tackle this 7-hour and 52-minute drive comfortably, aim for an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours. Plan for at least two intentional stops to stretch your legs and break up the monotony of the turn-heavy local sections. Since you are looking at a $62 fuel expenditure, keep an eye on your gauge during the longer 135.3-mile stretch to ensure you aren't caught off guard in more rural areas. Because this route is best suited for a single, long day, keep your itinerary flexible enough to accommodate extra rest if fatigue sets in. Prioritize consistent pacing to manage the 408.9-mile total distance without rushing through the transition zones.

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 204.4 miles from East Independence, MO, or about 3h 55m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.3 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 90 miles or 1h 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 204.4 miles or 3h 55m 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 36m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving East Independence, 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 East Independence, MO

This is one driving day of about 408.9 miles and 7h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 90 miles from East Independence, 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 135.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 204.4 mi from East Independence, MO · 3h 55m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

East Saint Louis, IL

204 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 90 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cahokia, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 204.4 miles from East Independence, 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 135.3 miles.

Arriving in Malden, MO

The final approach into Malden, 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 Malden, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$62.11 one way

$124.22 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 143 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$68.47	$136.93
premium	$4.80	$77.19	$154.38
diesel	$5.64	$90.84	$181.69

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$62

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$87–$112

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 143.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	122.7	1	$42.93	$19.63
Efficient EV	102.2	1	$35.78	$16.36
EV Truck/SUV	163.6	2	$57.25	$26.17

Gas CO2

143 kg

EV CO2

48 kg (66% 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 2 days ago

Origin

East Independence, MO

Afternoon in East Independence on Sunday

Local time

2:28 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Malden, MO

Afternoon in Malden on Sunday

Local time

2:28 PM

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 52m 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 East Independence, MO to Malden, MO covers 408.9 miles and takes about 7h 52m 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 204.4 miles from East Independence, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $62.11 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.

Between East Independence, MO and Malden, MO, road signs point toward Memphis and Poplar Bluff.

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Return Trip

Malden, MO to East Independence, MO

Plan the drive back the other way.

409.6 mi 7h 54m

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Trip from East Independence, MO to Malden, MO

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Malden, MO

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

East Independence, MO

Malden, MO

Same local time

14 degrees warmer at arrival

7h 52m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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