Origin
Malden, MO
Afternoon in Malden on Sunday
Local time
2:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Malden, MO to East Independence, MO
Drive Time
7h 54m
Distance
409.6 mi
659 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$62
one way
Malden, MO
ShotPot
East Independence, MO
Ankit Rainloure
Trip Overview
Traveling from Malden to East Independence covers 409.6 miles across the Missouri landscape. You can expect about 7 hours and 54 minutes of total driving time, making it a long but manageable day trip for those who prefer to push through. With a fuel budget of approximately $62, it is a relatively economical way to traverse the state. The route takes you through the heart of the Midwest, transitioning from the bootheel region toward the greater Kansas City area. Because of the duration, you will likely want to plan for at least two dedicated stops to keep your energy up. While it is possible to complete this journey in one day, be prepared for a significant amount of time behind the wheel.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
204.8 miles from Malden, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 57m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, balancing high-speed interstate travel with secondary highway stretches. You will spend roughly 37% of your time on highways, utilizing I-55, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. Prepare for a steady pace, as the longest uninterrupted stretch spans 129 miles on I-55. The personality of the road shifts as you navigate these different designations, requiring you to stay alert during the transition between major thoroughfares and local routes. It is a functional, straightforward drive that rewards consistent focus rather than technical maneuvering.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 129 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 172.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 409.6 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 172.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 172.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
172.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m in
Take the exit toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
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 196
Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chi...
8
172.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
8
184.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 32m 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...
8
185 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m 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...
8
211 mi into trip
|
~4h 5m 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
Towns Along This Route
Between Malden, MO and East Independence, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.
Chicago
172.4 mi in
|
~3h 16m
Saint Louis
184.9 mi in
|
~3h 32m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 129 mi | 2h 18m |
| 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 |
| North Douglas Street | 18.2 mi | 27m |
| I 270 | 11.5 mi | 14m |
| US 60 | 7.1 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 129 mi, about 2h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Malden, MO and East Independence, MO.
1
Start on West Laclede Street
63 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Laclede Street
2
Turn left onto MO 25 Business
442 ft
·
14 sec
·
South Madison Street
3
Turn left onto MO 25 Business
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
West Main Street
4
Turn right onto MO 25 Business
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North Douglas Street
5
At end of road, turn left onto MO 25
16 mi
·
23 min
·
North Douglas Street
6
Take the ramp
16 mi
·
18 min
7
Continue on US 60
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
US 60
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 1B
Toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
9
Merge onto I 55
27 mi
·
29 min
·
I 55
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
102 mi
·
1 hr 49 min
·
I 55
11
Continue on I 55
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Rosa Parks Highway
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 196
Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
388 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Use the slight left lane.
14
Continue on this road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Exit 196
Toward I 270 West
15
Merge onto I 270
11 mi
·
14 min
·
I 270
Use the none lane.
16
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.
17
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.
18
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
this road
Exit 12
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
19
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi
·
30 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
20
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.
21
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
22
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
23
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
24
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
25
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi
·
58 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
26
Continue on I 70; US 40
52 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the none lane.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 17
Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance
Use the slight right lane.
28
Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Little Blue Parkway
29
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
East R.D. Mize Road
30
Turn right onto South Jackson Drive
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Jackson Drive
31
Turn straight onto Holke Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Holke Road
32
Turn left onto East Truman Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Truman Road
33
Turn right onto Main Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Road
34
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
79 ft
·
3 sec
·
East 9th Street South
35
Arrive at destination
East 9th Street South
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 409.6-mile trek, aim for an early morning departure to avoid mid-day fatigue. Since you have two planned stops, use them strategically to break up the longest 129-mile stretch on I-55, as this segment will demand the most concentration. Keep your $62 fuel budget in mind when selecting service stations, as prices can fluctuate significantly between rural and suburban areas. Because the route is a full-day commitment, prioritize comfort and hydration before you head out. A helpful tip for this specific path is to check traffic conditions on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway before you depart, as it can be a key factor in keeping your total travel time closer to the 7-hour and 54-minute mark.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 204.8 miles from Malden, MO, or about 3h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129 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 90 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 204.8 miles or 3h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 43m
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 Malden, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Malden, MO
This is one driving day of about 409.6 miles and 7h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 90 miles from Malden, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 129 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 204.8 mi from Malden, MO · 3h 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
205 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 90 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 204.8 miles from Malden, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129 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.
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
$62.21 one way
$124.43 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
143 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $68.58 | $137.17 |
| premium | $4.80 | $77.32 | $154.65 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $91.00 | $182.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 143.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 122.9 | 1 | $43.01 | $19.66 |
| Efficient EV | 102.4 | 1 | $35.84 | $16.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 163.8 | 2 | $57.34 | $26.21 |
Gas CO2
143 kg
EV CO2
48 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
East Independence, MO
Afternoon in East Independence on Sunday
Local time
2:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°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
14 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
7h 54m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Malden, MO to East Independence, MO covers 409.6 miles and takes about 7h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 204.8 miles from Malden, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $62.21 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 409.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 172.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 172.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Malden, MO and East Independence, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.
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