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...
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 17m
Distance
223.1 mi
359 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ferguson, MO
Lena Khrupina
Blue Springs, MO
卓浩 虞
This 223.1-mile drive from Ferguson, MO to Blue Springs, MO is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 17 minutes. The route is predominantly highway, with 98% of the drive on major interstates like I-70, making it a quick and efficient trip through the Midwest. With a projected fuel cost of around $35, it's an economical option for a day trip. You'll spend most of your time on I-70, covering a significant stretch of 217.7 miles without interruption. This drive is best suited for those prioritizing speed and convenience over scenic exploration.
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
111.5 miles from Ferguson, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 17m. Total distance: 223.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
Expect a highway-focused drive for the vast majority of this trip, with 98% of the route utilizing major interstates like I-70. The personality of the road is primarily that of a fast-paced, efficient transit corridor. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 217.7 miles on I-70, which forms the backbone of this journey. While the route includes brief segments on Airport Road and the Inner Belt Expressway, these are transitional and quickly lead back to the main highway. This drive offers a consistent driving experience, ideal for covering distance.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and Airport Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Airport Road.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 17m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Airport Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles (I 70): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto Airport Road
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 70 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 70
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward MO 7: Blue Springs, Lake Lotawana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto MO 7
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 217.7 mi | 4h 7m |
| Airport Road | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Inner Belt Expressway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| Northwest 15th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Northwest R D Mize Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| MO 7 | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North Florissant Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Carson Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Ferguson, MO and Blue Springs, MO.
Start on Carson Road
Turn left onto MO N
Turn left onto Airport Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 170
Take the exit
Merge onto I 70
Take the exit
Turn left onto MO 7
Turn right onto Northwest R D Mize Road
At end of road, turn left onto Northwest 15th Street
Arrive at destination
For this 4-hour and 17-minute drive, departing in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic delays. Since it’s a single-day trip, you have flexibility with your stops, but planning one significant break around the halfway point is a good idea. The longest stretch of uninterrupted driving is 217.7 miles on I-70, so ensure you're comfortable with extended periods on the highway. Keep an eye on your fuel; with a cost estimate of $35, it’s manageable, but knowing your vehicle’s range is always wise. A practical tip for this route: utilize the readily available services along I-70 for quick fuel and rest stops, as they are plentiful.
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.
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 49 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.5 miles or 2h 8m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Blue Springs, MO than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Ferguson, 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 Ferguson, MO
This is one driving day of about 223.1 miles and 4h 17m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 111.5 mi from Ferguson, MO · 2h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
112 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.
A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 111.5 miles from Ferguson, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 217.7 miles.
The final approach into Blue Springs, 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 Blue Springs, 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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Regular Gas
$34.88 one way
$69.76 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $38.30 | $76.59 |
| premium | $4.89 | $42.93 | $85.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $49.26 | $98.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.9 | 0 | $23.43 | $10.71 |
| Efficient EV | 55.8 | 0 | $19.52 | $8.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 89.2 | 1 | $31.23 | $14.28 |
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Ferguson on Friday
Local time
4:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Blue Springs on Friday
Local time
4:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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