Origin
Kansas City, MO
Afternoon in Kansas City on Sunday
Local time
1:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kansas City, MO to St. Louis, MO
Drive Time
4h 46m
Distance
248.3 mi
400 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
Trip Overview
Connecting Kansas City and St. Louis, this 248.3-mile journey across Missouri is a classic Midwest trek that typically takes about 4 hours and 46 minutes to complete. You can easily manage this as a single-day trip, making it an efficient way to traverse the state without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $38 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating via the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, and the Avenue of the Saints, you will move through the heart of Missouri. Whether you are heading east or west, this route provides a direct link between the state's two major urban hubs.
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
124.1 miles from Kansas City, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your attention behind the wheel. While you will spend time on major thoroughfares, the route is defined by its mix of highway stretches and local road transitions. You will tackle a significant 135.3-mile segment along the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of your trip. With a highway share of 2, the road character shifts as you navigate through the regional landscape. Be prepared for a driving experience that feels more involved than a simple, monotonous interstate cruise.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 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. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East 12th Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 248.3 miles you will encounter 10 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 (East 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.6 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East 12th Street
Turn right onto East 12th Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 East, US 40 East
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway
Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
208.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 56m in
|
US 40
Take the exit onto US 40 toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 210A
Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Ches...
7
247.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 45m in
Take the exit toward 14th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 39A
Toward 14th Street
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 | 27.7 mi | 33m |
| George Brett Super Highway | 6.9 mi | 9m |
| Jack Buck Memorial Highway | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| Daniel Boone Expressway | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| 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 Kansas City, MO and St. Louis, MO.
1
Start on Oak Street
20 ft
·
4 sec
·
Oak Street
2
Turn right onto East 12th Street
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
East 12th Street
3
Turn right onto Charlotte Street
476 ft
·
11 sec
·
Charlotte Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East
5
Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
George Brett Super Highway
Use the none lane.
6
Continue on I 70
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on I 70
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 70
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on I 70
53 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the none lane.
10
Continue on I 70; US 40
32 mi
·
34 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi
·
24 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
15
Continue on I 70; US 40
81 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
16
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
17
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
28 mi
·
33 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Continue on I 64; US 40
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Daniel Boone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on I 64; US 40
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Jack Buck Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 39A
Toward 14th Street
Use the slight right lane.
21
Turn left onto South 14th Street
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
South 14th Street
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto Market Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Market Street
23
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
Since this trip is roughly 5 hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You should anticipate at least one necessary stop to stretch your legs and refuel during the 248.3-mile trek. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $38 budget is an estimate that can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and local prices. Because this is a turn-heavy route, staying alert during the transitions between highways is essential for a smooth arrival. Use your single planned stop to break up the drive, ensuring you stay sharp while navigating the variety of roads connecting these two cities.
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 124.1 miles from Kansas City, MO, or about 2h 17m 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 124.1 miles or 2h 17m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near St. Louis, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kansas City, 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 Kansas City, MO
This is one driving day of about 248.3 miles and 4h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Kansas City, 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 124.1 mi from Kansas City, MO · 2h 17m 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 124.1 miles from Kansas City, 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 135.3 miles.
Arriving in St. Louis, MO
The final approach into St. Louis, 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 St. Louis, 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
$37.71 one way
$75.43 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $41.58 | $83.15 |
| premium | $4.80 | $46.87 | $93.75 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $55.16 | $110.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.5 | 0 | $26.07 | $11.92 |
| Efficient EV | 62.1 | 0 | $21.73 | $9.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.3 | 1 | $34.76 | $15.89 |
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
St. Louis, MO
Afternoon in St. Louis on Sunday
Local time
1:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
55°F
Quincy, IL
124 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
10 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 46m 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 Kansas City, MO to St. Louis, MO covers 248.3 miles and takes about 4h 46m 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 124.1 miles from Kansas City, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.71 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 248.3 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.6 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Kansas City, MO to St. Louis, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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