Origin
East Independence, MO
Evening in East Independence on Wednesday
Local time
5:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from East Independence, MO to Washington, MO
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
4h 3m
Distance
205.9 mi
331 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 50m
★
6 AM
4h 3m
8 AM
4h 29m
10 AM
4h 12m
12 PM
4h 10m
3 PM
4h 14m
5 PM
4h 28m
8 PM
3h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
East Independence, MO
Momo King
Washington, MO
Valeria Boltneva
Trip Overview
Embark on a 205.9-mile journey from East Independence, MO, to Washington, MO, a drive that will take approximately 4 hours and 3 minutes. This Midwest to Midwest route is easily manageable as a single-day trip, with an estimated fuel cost of $32. You'll primarily travel on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and MO 47, with a smaller portion on the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. The overall feel is a turn-heavy local drive, so prepare for a more engaging experience than a simple interstate cruise. This route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your timing.
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
102.9 miles from East Independence, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive offers a varied road experience, with only 12% of the route on highways. Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll encounter more frequent turns and changes in road type. The longest continuous stretch you'll experience is 118.5 miles, primarily on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, before transitioning to other main roads like the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway and MO 47. This mix suggests a route that keeps you engaged rather than a monotonous highway grind, with opportunities to experience different local road conditions.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 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 118.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main Road.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 3m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Main Road): Navigation decision point; at 3 miles (East R.D. Mize Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles (South Little Blue Parkway): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Main Road
Turn left onto Main Road
Navigation decision point
4
3 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
East R.D. Mize Road
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
Navigation decision point
4
3.3 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
South Little Blue Parkway
Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway
Navigation decision point
8
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...
6
181.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 25m in
Take the exit toward MO 47: Warrenton, Hawk Point
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 193
Toward MO 47: Warrenton, Hawk Point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from East Independence, MO to Washington, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Hawk Point along the way.
Hawk Point
181.7 mi in
|
~3h 25m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 118.5 mi | 2h 11m |
| U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway | 54.4 mi | 58m |
| MO 47 | 23.3 mi | 35m |
| Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| South Little Blue Parkway | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| South Jackson Drive | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Holke Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 118.5 mi, about 2h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Independence, MO and Washington, MO.
1
Start on East 9th Street South
79 ft
·
8 sec
·
East 9th Street South
2
Turn left onto Main Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Road
3
Turn left onto East Truman Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Truman Road
4
Turn right onto Holke Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Holke Road
5
Turn straight onto South Jackson Drive
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Jackson Drive
6
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
East R.D. Mize Road
7
Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
South Little Blue Parkway
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 17
Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on I 70
53 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
10
Continue on I 70; US 40
32 mi
·
34 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi
·
24 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
15
Continue on I 70; US 40
64 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 193
Toward MO 47: Warrenton, Hawk Point
17
Turn right onto MO 47
23 mi
·
35 min
·
MO 47
18
Turn right onto East 3rd Street
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East 3rd Street
19
Arrive at destination
West 3rd Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour, 3-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one stop recommended, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to take a break. The estimated fuel cost of $32 makes budgeting straightforward. Keep an eye out for the transitions between the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and other main roads like MO 47, as these may involve more complex navigation. Since this is a single-day trip, you can afford to be spontaneous with your timing.
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 102.9 miles from East Independence, MO, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.5 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 45 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.9 miles or 1h 56m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from East Independence, MO
This is one driving day of about 205.9 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from East Independence, 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 118.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 102.9 mi from East Independence, MO · 1h 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
103 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 102.9 miles from East Independence, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.5 miles.
Arriving in Washington, MO
The final approach into Washington, 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 Washington, 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
$32.19 one way
$64.38 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
72 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $35.34 | $70.69 |
| premium | $4.89 | $39.62 | $79.25 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $45.46 | $90.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.8 | 0 | $21.62 | $9.88 |
| Efficient EV | 51.5 | 0 | $18.02 | $8.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82.4 | 1 | $28.83 | $13.18 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Washington, MO
Evening in Washington on Wednesday
Local time
5:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Columbia, MO
103 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
18 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
4h 3m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from East Independence, MO to Washington, MO covers 205.9 miles and takes about 4h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, MO 47. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 102.9 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 $32.19 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 3m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Main Road): Navigation decision point; at 3 miles (East R.D. Mize Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles (South Little Blue Parkway): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from East Independence, MO to Washington, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Hawk Point along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Return Trip
Washington, MO to East Independence, MOPlan the drive back the other way.
205.9 mi
4h 3m
Continue From Washington, MO
More trips to Washington, MO
Explore more options from East Independence, MO or browse trips ending in Washington, MO.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.
Explore maps for East Independence, MO or Washington, MO on MapSof.net.