Origin
East Prairie, MO
Morning in East Prairie on Wednesday
Local time
7:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from East Prairie, MO to East Independence, MO
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
7h 22m
Distance
387.6 mi
624 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$61
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 12m
★
6 AM
7h 23m
8 AM
7h 44m
10 AM
7h 30m
12 PM
7h 28m
3 PM
7h 31m
5 PM
7h 42m
8 PM
7h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
East Prairie, MO
Timm Stein
East Independence, MO
Momo King
Trip Overview
The drive from East Prairie, MO to East Independence, MO covers 387.6 miles and takes about 7h 22m 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 128.6 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $60.60 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
193.8 miles from East Prairie, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 39m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The drive from East Prairie, MO to East Independence, MO covers 387.6 miles and takes about 7h 22m, 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 128.6 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 150.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 387.6 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 150.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 150.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 162.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
150.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m 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
150.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m 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
162.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 1m 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
163.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 1m 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
189 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m 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 East Prairie, MO and East Independence, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.
Chicago
150.4 mi in
|
~2h 45m
Saint Louis
162.9 mi in
|
~3h 1m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 128.6 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 |
| I 57 | 10 mi | 10m |
| MO 105 | 9.5 mi | 12m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 128.6 mi, about 2h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Prairie, MO and East Independence, MO.
1
Start on East Main Street
86 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Turn right onto MO 80
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
North Washington Street
3
Turn right onto MO 105
9.5 mi
·
12 min
·
MO 105
4
Take the ramp onto I 57 Business
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
I 57 Business
5
Merge onto I 57; US 60
10.0 mi
·
10 min
·
I 57; US 60
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 1B
Toward 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 196
Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
388 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Use the slight left lane.
12
Continue on this road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Exit 196
Toward 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 12
Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
Use 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: Wentzville
Use the slight left lane.
16
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
this road
Exit 12
Toward 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 1A
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Use 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 17
Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance
Use 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 193.8 miles from East Prairie, MO, or about 3h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.6 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 193.8 miles or 3h 39m 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 12m
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 East Prairie, 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 Prairie, MO
This is one driving day of about 387.6 miles and 7h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from East Prairie, 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 128.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 193.8 mi from East Prairie, MO · 3h 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
194 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 85 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 193.8 miles from East Prairie, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 128.6 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.60 one way
$121.19 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
136 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $66.53 | $133.07 |
| premium | $4.89 | $74.59 | $149.18 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $85.58 | $171.15 |
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: 135.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 116.3 | 1 | $40.70 | $18.60 |
| Efficient EV | 96.9 | 1 | $33.92 | $15.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 155 | 1 | $54.26 | $24.81 |
Gas CO2
136 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.
Destination
East Independence, MO
Morning in East Independence on Wednesday
Local time
7:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°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
30 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
7h 22m 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 Prairie, MO to East Independence, MO covers 387.6 miles and takes about 7h 22m 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 193.8 miles from East Prairie, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $60.60 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 23 significant decision points across 387.6 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 150.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 150.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 162.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between East Prairie, MO and East Independence, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.
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