Origin
Herculaneum, MO
Morning in Herculaneum on Saturday
Local time
10:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 48m
Distance
248 mi
399 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Herculaneum, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Blue Springs, MO
卓浩 虞
This 247.8-mile drive from Herculaneum to Blue Springs, Missouri, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 52 minutes. You'll navigate primarily via Joachim Avenue and Commercial Boulevard before merging onto I-55 North. With a projected fuel cost of around $38, this route offers an economical way to travel within the Midwest region. The journey is characterized by a turn-heavy local drive, suggesting frequent changes in direction rather than long, straight stretches. Given its relatively short duration and the nature of the roads, it's a straightforward transit rather than a leisurely scenic tour.
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
124 miles from Herculaneum, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 248 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Expect a dynamic driving experience on this route, as indicated by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile and zero highway share. This means you'll be navigating a series of local roads with frequent intersections and changes in direction, rather than cruising on high-speed interstates. There isn't a 'longest stretch' of uninterrupted driving noted, reinforcing the idea of constant engagement with the road ahead. The drive will likely feel more like navigating through towns and communities, requiring your attention to be on local traffic and turns throughout the 3 hour and 52 minute journey.
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 17.9 miles in.
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 18 significant decision points across 248 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 17.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
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
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Herculaneum, MO and Blue Springs, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.
Chicago
Saint Louis
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D Eisenhower Highway | 80.7 mi | 1h 35m |
| U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway | 54.4 mi | 58m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 50.6 mi | 54m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 25.4 mi | 30m |
| I 55 | 13.9 mi | 15m |
| I 270 | 11.5 mi | 14m |
| Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway | 2 mi | 2m |
| Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Herculaneum, MO and Blue Springs, MO.
Start on this road
Turn right onto Joachim Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto US 61; US 67
Turn left onto MO Z
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 55
Continue on I 55
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on this road
Merge onto I 270
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on this road
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
Take the exit onto US 40
Merge onto I 70; US 40
Continue on I 70; US 40
Continue on I 70; US 40
Continue on I 70; US 40
Continue on I 70; US 40
Continue on I 70; US 40
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 247.8-mile trip, leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Blue Springs without feeling rushed, especially considering the numerous turns involved. With a fuel cost estimated at $38, it's wise to fill up before you depart Herculaneum. Since this is a single-day, turn-heavy route, plan for one stop to stretch your legs and perhaps grab a quick bite. Keep an eye on your GPS, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' nature means you'll be making frequent adjustments. The flexibility of this 3 hour and 52 minute drive means you can depart at your convenience.
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 55 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124 miles or 2h 30m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Blue Springs, MO than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Herculaneum, 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 Herculaneum, MO
This is one driving day of about 248 miles and 4h 48m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 124 mi from Herculaneum, MO · 2h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 124 miles from Herculaneum, 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 80.7 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$38.77 one way
$77.54 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $42.57 | $85.14 |
| premium | $4.89 | $47.73 | $95.45 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $54.76 | $109.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.4 | 0 | $26.04 | $11.90 |
| Efficient EV | 62 | 0 | $21.70 | $9.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.2 | 1 | $34.72 | $15.87 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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
Morning in Herculaneum on Saturday
Local time
10:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Blue Springs on Saturday
Local time
10:26 AM
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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