Origin
High Ridge, MO
Afternoon in High Ridge on Saturday
Local time
1:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from High Ridge, MO to Independence, MO
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 42m
Distance
239.2 mi
385 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 29m
★
6 AM
4h 43m
8 AM
5h 10m
10 AM
4h 52m
12 PM
4h 50m
3 PM
4h 54m
5 PM
5h 8m
8 PM
4h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
High Ridge, MO
Marta Branco
Independence, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from High Ridge, MO to Independence, MO covers 239.2 miles and takes about 4h 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 80.7 miles on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.40 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
119.6 miles from High Ridge, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| 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 | 54.3 mi | 58m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 22.1 mi | 26m |
| MO 141 | 8.8 mi | 13m |
| MO 30 | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| South Noland Road | 3 mi | 5m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 2.7 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between High Ridge, MO and Independence, MO.
1
Start on this road
119 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto High Ridge Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
High Ridge Boulevard
3
Turn left onto MO PP
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
MO PP
4
Turn left onto MO 30
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
MO 30
5
Take the exit
485 ft
·
12 sec
Toward New Sugar Creek Road
6
Turn slight left onto New Sugar Creek Road
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
New Sugar Creek Road
7
Continue on Hawkins Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Hawkins Road
8
Turn left onto MO 141
8.8 mi
·
13 min
·
MO 141
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
133 ft
·
7 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
10
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
11
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
22 mi
·
26 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
12
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.
13
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
15
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
16
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
17
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi
·
58 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
18
Continue on I 70; US 40
52 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
19
Continue on I 70
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
20
Continue on I 70
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 12
Toward Noland Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
South Noland Road
23
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
466 ft
·
22 sec
·
East Walnut Street
24
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
394 ft
·
22 sec
·
South Lynn Street
25
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
145 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Kansas Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
East Kansas Avenue
Trip Plan
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 119.6 miles from High Ridge, MO, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.7 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 53 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.6 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Independence, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving High Ridge, 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 High Ridge, MO
This is one driving day of about 239.2 miles and 4h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from High Ridge, 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 80.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
120 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 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 119.6 miles from High Ridge, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 235.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
High Ridge Boulevard
At end of road, turn right onto High Ridge Boulevard
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
MO PP
Turn left onto MO PP
Navigation decision point
5
15.7 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Went...
8
38.2 mi into trip
|
~53m 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
7
235.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 36m in
Take the exit toward Noland Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12
Toward Noland Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.40 one way
$74.79 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $41.06 | $82.12 |
| premium | $4.89 | $46.03 | $92.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $52.81 | $105.62 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.8 | 0 | $25.12 | $11.48 |
| Efficient EV | 59.8 | 0 | $20.93 | $9.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.7 | 1 | $33.49 | $15.31 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Independence, MO
Afternoon in Independence on Saturday
Local time
1:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°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
16 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 42m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
$19
near mile 8.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
239.2 mi in 4h 42m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.
Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.7 mi on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near High Ridge Boulevard.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 239.2 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (High Ridge Boulevard): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (MO PP): Navigation decision point; at 15.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 42m. Total distance: 239.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (5%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.7 miles on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (High Ridge Boulevard): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (MO PP): Navigation decision point; at 15.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Independence, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
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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