This 201.9-mile journey from Lake Saint Louis to East Independence, Missouri, is a feasible 1-day trip, estimated to take around 3 hours and 54 minutes of driving time. You'll primarily be on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, with a significant 100% of the route utilizing major highways. Expect a fuel cost of approximately $32 for this Midwest to Midwest drive. The overall feel is that of a turn-heavy local drive, suggesting a need for attention to navigation and road conditions throughout. With only one recommended stop, it's a straightforward point-to-point excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
101 miles from Lake Saint Louis, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 54m. Total distance: 201.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The character of this 201.9-mile drive is best described as a turn-heavy local experience, despite its 100% highway share. You'll encounter the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for a substantial longest stretch of 82.6 miles, which likely offers a consistent pace. However, the "turn-heavy local drive" profile indicates that you should anticipate frequent changes in direction or road designations, even within the highway system. This suggests a route that demands constant awareness of your navigation rather than a purely monotonous interstate cruise. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience as you transition between sections.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 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 82.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near Veterans Memorial Parkway.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 54m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (Veterans Memorial Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (I 70 / Dwight D Eisenhower Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.7 mi into trip|~2m in|Veterans Memorial Parkway
At end of road, turn left onto Veterans Memorial Parkway
Navigation decision point
6
1.7 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 70 West
5
1.9 mi into trip|~4m in|I 70 / Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Merge onto I 70 / Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
196.7 mi into trip|~3h 43m 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...
5
201.9 mi into trip|~3h 54m in|East 9th Street South
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
82.6 mi
1h 37m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
54.3 mi
58m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2 mi
2m
South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi
3m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi
1m
South Jackson Drive
1.2 mi
2m
Holke Road
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 82.6 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Saint Louis, MO and East Independence, MO.
1
Start on Savoy Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Savoy Drive
2
Turn right onto De Loire Drive
0.3 mi·56 sec·De Loire Drive
3
At end of road, turn left onto Veterans Memorial Parkway
0.8 mi·1 min·Veterans Memorial Parkway
4
Turn right
344 ft·13 sec
5
Continue on MO A
0.1 mi·20 sec·Highway A
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·19 sec
Toward I 70 WestUse the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 70
83 mi·1 hr 37 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
9
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
10
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi·58 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
52 mi·56 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 17Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall EntranceUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi·3 min·South Little Blue Parkway
15
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
0.2 mi·37 sec·East R.D. Mize Road
16
Turn right onto South Jackson Drive
1.2 mi·2 min·South Jackson Drive
17
Turn straight onto Holke Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Holke Road
18
Turn left onto East Truman Road
0.7 mi·1 min·East Truman Road
19
Turn right onto Main Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Main Road
20
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
79 ft·3 sec·East 9th Street South
21
Arrive at destination
East 9th Street South
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 54-minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day adventure. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow ample time for navigation, especially with the "turn-heavy local drive" profile. The estimated fuel cost of $32 is a good baseline, but it's always wise to check current prices. While only one stop is suggested, plan for brief breaks every 1.5 to 2 hours to stay alert. Keep an eye on your GPS for the frequent turns indicated by the route's character, particularly during the longest 82.6-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, to ensure you stay on track.
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 101 miles from Lake Saint Louis, MO, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.6 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 44 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101 miles or 2h 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 9m
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 Lake Saint Louis, 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 Lake Saint Louis, MO
This is one driving day of about 201.9 miles and 3h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Lake Saint Louis, 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 82.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 101 mi from Lake Saint Louis, MO
· 2h into the drive
The midpoint is around 101 miles from Lake Saint Louis, 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 82.6 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.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Cajun Crab House Seafood Restaurant
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Columbia, Missouri
Around the midpoint, short detour
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
$20 to $30
mile 86.5
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.56 one way
$63.13 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$34.66
$69.31
premium
$4.89
$38.85
$77.71
diesel
$5.61
$44.58
$89.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
28 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Tesla Supercharger
Lake St Louis, Missouri
Tesla
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
O'Fallon, Missouri
Blink
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Columbia, Missouri
Blink
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Columbia, Missouri
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Rivian Adventure Network
Columbia, Missouri
Rivian
1 DCFC
Flying J EV Charging Station
Warrenton, Missouri
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Columbia, Missouri
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Columbia, Missouri
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 7
Blink: 5
Other: 5
Tesla: 4
Tesla Destination: 3
EV Connect: 2
Rivian: 1
EVgo: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.6
0
$21.20
$9.69
Efficient EV
50.5
0
$17.67
$8.08
EV Truck/SUV
80.8
1
$28.27
$12.92
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Lake Saint Louis, MO
Evening
in Lake Saint Louis on Friday
Local time
8:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
East Independence, MO
Evening
in East Independence on Friday
Local time
8:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Columbia, MO
101 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
1 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
3h 54m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lake Saint Louis, MO to East Independence, MO covers 201.9 miles and takes about 3h 54m 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 101 miles from Lake Saint Louis, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.56 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 54m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (Veterans Memorial Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (I 70 / Dwight D Eisenhower Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Lake Saint Louis, MO to East Independence, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
