Trip from Kirkwood, MO to East Independence, MO

Drive Time

4h 30m

Distance

230.3 mi

371 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 17m ★

6 AM

4h 31m

8 AM

4h 58m

10 AM

4h 40m

12 PM

4h 37m

3 PM

4h 41m

5 PM

4h 56m

8 PM

4h 23m

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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Kirkwood, MO

Valeria Boltneva

East Independence, MO

Ankit Rainloure

Trip Overview

Connecting Kirkwood to East Independence, this 230.3-mile journey across Missouri is a straightforward trek that fits perfectly into a single day of travel. You can expect to spend about 4 hours and 30 minutes behind the wheel, making it an efficient trip for those looking to traverse the Midwest. With a fuel budget of approximately $35, it remains an economical option for your road trip planning. Since the entire route stays within the state of Missouri, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the drive. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, this trip is manageable without the need for an overnight stop.

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

115.1 miles from Kirkwood, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that balances interstate travel with more nuanced road conditions. You will spend time on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, which together make up a highway share of 2. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is an 80.7-mile segment on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Because the route features a mix of high-speed stretches and more technical local sections, you should stay alert as the road's personality shifts. It is not a monotonous grind, but rather a drive that demands your attention through its varying road types.

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

There are about 25 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 80.7 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 1.5 miles in near MO 100 / Manchester Road.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 230.3 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 1.5 miles (MO 100 / Manchester Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

1.5 mi into trip | ~3m in | MO 100 / Manchester Road

Turn left onto MO 100 / Manchester Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

5.5 mi into trip | ~9m in

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 12 Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Lo...

5.7 mi into trip | ~9m in

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

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Went...

31.6 mi into trip | ~41m 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

225.1 mi into trip | ~4h 19m in

Take the exit toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance

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 17 Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall E...

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	25.4 mi	30m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway	2 mi	2m
I 270	1.9 mi	2m
Manchester Road	1.9 mi	3m
South Little Blue Parkway	1.6 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 Kirkwood, MO and East Independence, MO.

Start on West Adams Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Adams Avenue

Turn right onto North Geyer Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · North Geyer Road

Turn left onto MO 100

1.9 mi · 3 min · Manchester Road

Use the none lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 14 sec

Toward I 270 North

Merge onto I 270

1.9 mi · 2 min · I 270

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 17 sec

Exit 12 Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 48 sec

Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville Use the slight left lane.

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 9 sec · this road

Exit 12 Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville

Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61

25 mi · 30 min · Avenue of the Saints

Use the straight lane.

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.

Merge onto I 70; US 40

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

Continue on I 70; US 40

2.0 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial 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

1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

54 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

52 mi · 56 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Exit 17 Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance Use the slight right lane.

Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway

1.6 mi · 3 min · South Little Blue Parkway

Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road

0.2 mi · 37 sec · East R.D. Mize Road

Turn right onto South Jackson Drive

1.2 mi · 2 min · South Jackson Drive

Turn straight onto Holke Road

0.9 mi · 2 min · Holke Road

Turn left onto East Truman Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Truman Road

Turn right onto Main Road

0.3 mi · 1 min · Main Road

Turn right onto East 9th Street South

79 ft · 3 sec · East 9th Street South

Arrive at destination

East 9th Street South

Trip Plan

For the best experience, plan your departure to accommodate the 4-hour and 30-minute duration, keeping in mind that you only need one scheduled stop to keep your energy up. Given the turn-heavy nature of the local segments, pay close attention to navigation to avoid missing exits or turns. Since you are budgeting $35 for fuel, topping off your tank before you leave Kirkwood can help you avoid unnecessary mid-trip stops. Flexibility is your biggest advantage on this 230.3-mile trip, so feel free to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected traffic on the highway. Always double-check your route on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway before heading out to ensure you are prepared for its longest 80.7-mile stretch.

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 115.1 miles from Kirkwood, MO, or about 2h 20m 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 80 miles or 1h 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 115.1 miles or 2h 20m 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 40m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Kirkwood, 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 Kirkwood, MO

This is one driving day of about 230.3 miles and 4h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Kirkwood, 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.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 115.1 mi from Kirkwood, MO · 2h 20m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Quincy, IL

115 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

Quincy, IL

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 115.1 miles from Kirkwood, 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 80.7 miles.

Arriving in East Independence, MO

The final approach into East Independence, 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 East Independence, MO.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$34.98 one way

$69.96 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 81 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$38.56	$77.12
premium	$4.80	$43.48	$86.95
diesel	$5.64	$51.16	$102.33

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: 80.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	69.1	0	$24.18	$11.05
Efficient EV	57.6	0	$20.15	$9.21
EV Truck/SUV	92.1	1	$32.24	$14.74

Gas CO2

81 kg

EV CO2

27 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Kirkwood, MO

Evening in Kirkwood on Sunday

Local time

8:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

East Independence, MO

Evening in East Independence on Sunday

Local time

8:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

55°F

Quincy, IL

115 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

6 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 30m 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 Kirkwood, MO to East Independence, MO covers 230.3 miles and takes about 4h 30m 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, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 115.1 miles from Kirkwood, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.98 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.

The route from Kirkwood, MO to East Independence, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Kirkwood, MO to East Independence, MO

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in East Independence, MO

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Kirkwood, MO

East Independence, MO

Same local time

6 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 30m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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