Trip from Independence, MO to Festus, MO

Drive Time

5h 1m

Distance

261.2 mi

420 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 48m ★

6 AM

5h 2m

8 AM

5h 29m

10 AM

5h 11m

12 PM

5h 9m

3 PM

5h 13m

5 PM

5h 28m

8 PM

4h 54m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Independence, MO

Ever Rayan

Trip Overview

The drive from Independence, MO to Festus, MO covers 261.2 miles and takes about 5h 1m 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, Avenue of the Saints for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 135.3 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.67 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

130.6 miles from Independence, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 25m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 5h 1m drive with frequent turns across 261.2 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 32 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 135.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 3.3 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 261.2 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 3.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 226.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 226.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

3.3 mi into trip | ~6m in

Turn left toward I 70 East: Columbia, Saint Louis

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 70 East: Columbia, Saint Louis

226.2 mi into trip | ~4h 19m in

Take the exit toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis

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 25 Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis

226.5 mi into trip | ~4h 19m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 270 South: Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 270 South: Memphis

238.3 mi into trip | ~4h 34m in

Take the exit toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 1A Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis...

259.8 mi into trip | ~4h 58m in

Keep slight left at fork toward MO A: Hillsboro, Festus

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 175 Toward MO A: Hillsboro, Festus

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Independence, MO to Festus, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.

Memphis

226.2 mi in | ~4h 19m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway	135.3 mi	2h 34m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway	54.4 mi	58m
Avenue of the Saints	25.1 mi	30m
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway	17.2 mi	18m
I 270	11.5 mi	14m
South Noland Road	3.1 mi	5m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway	2.6 mi	3m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway	1.9 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 135.3 mi, about 2h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Independence, MO and Festus, MO.

Start on East Kansas Avenue

145 ft · 8 sec · East Kansas Avenue

Turn right onto South Lynn Street

394 ft · 22 sec · South Lynn Street

Turn left onto East Walnut Street

466 ft · 25 sec · East Walnut Street

Turn right onto South Noland Road

3.1 mi · 5 min · South Noland Road

Turn left

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Toward I 70 East: Columbia, Saint Louis

Merge onto I 70

1.5 mi · 1 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway

Continue on I 70

2.6 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Continue on I 70

53 mi · 56 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

32 mi · 34 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

22 mi · 24 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.6 mi · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.9 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

81 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Take the exit onto US 40

0.3 mi · 33 sec · US 40

Exit 210A Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield

Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61

25 mi · 30 min · Avenue of the Saints

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Exit 25 Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 31 sec

Toward I 270 South: Memphis Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 270

11 mi · 14 min · I 270

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 27 sec

Exit 1A Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 43 sec

Toward I 55 South: Memphis

Merge onto I 55

1.5 mi · 1 min · Rosa Parks Highway

Continue on I 55

1.8 mi · 2 min · Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway

Continue on I 55

17 mi · 18 min · Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec

Exit 175 Toward MO A: Hillsboro, Festus

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 13 sec

Exit 175 Toward MO A: Hillsboro, Festus

Turn straight onto MO A

0.5 mi · 1 min · Veterans Memorial Boulevard

Turn left onto South Mill Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Mill Street

Turn left onto West Main Street

0.1 mi · 15 sec · West Main Street

Turn right onto Walnut Street

339 ft · 20 sec · Walnut Street

Turn left onto North 2nd Street

77 ft · 3 sec · North 2nd Street

Arrive at destination

North 2nd Street

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 130.6 miles from Independence, MO, or about 2h 25m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.3 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 130.6 miles or 2h 25m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 4m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Festus, MO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving 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 Independence, MO

This is one driving day of about 261.2 miles and 5h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from 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 135.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 130.6 mi from Independence, MO · 2h 25m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Quincy, IL

131 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

Kansas City, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Quincy, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 130.6 miles from Independence, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135.3 miles.

Arriving in Festus, MO

The final approach into Festus, 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 Festus, 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

$39.67 one way

$79.35 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 91 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$43.74	$87.47
premium	$4.80	$49.31	$98.62
diesel	$5.64	$58.03	$116.06

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 91.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	78.4	0	$27.43	$12.54
Efficient EV	65.3	0	$22.85	$10.45
EV Truck/SUV	104.5	1	$36.57	$16.72

Gas CO2

91 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (66% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Independence, MO

Late night in Independence on Monday

Local time

4:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Festus, MO

Late night in Festus on Monday

Local time

4:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

55°F

Quincy, IL

131 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

4 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

5h 1m 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 Independence, MO to Festus, MO covers 261.2 miles and takes about 5h 1m 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, Avenue of the Saints. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 130.6 miles from Independence, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.67 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.

On the drive from Independence, MO to Festus, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.

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