This 231.3-mile drive from Pagedale, Missouri, to East Independence, Missouri, is a manageable one-day road trip, estimated to take around 4 hours and 30 minutes. The majority of your journey, 97%, will be on highways, making it a straightforward trip primarily utilizing I-70. With a projected fuel cost of $36, this route is budget-friendly for a single day's adventure across the Midwest. You'll experience a consistent highway-focused drive, so planning for one significant stop along the way should be sufficient. This route is ideal for those looking for an efficient way to cover ground within Missouri.
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
115.6 miles from Pagedale, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 13m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 30m. Total distance: 231.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 97% of the drive taking place on major roads like I-70. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a substantial 221.6 miles, allowing for sustained travel without frequent interruptions. This means you'll spend most of your time on the interstate, with brief transitions onto roads like Saint Charles Rock Road and South Little Blue Parkway as you approach your destination. The character of the drive remains largely consistent, emphasizing efficient travel over varied scenery.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 70 is the longest continuous segment at about 221.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and Saint Charles Rock Road. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near MO 180 / Saint Charles Rock Road.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 231.3 miles you will encounter 14 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: at 0.2 miles (MO 180 / Saint Charles Rock Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles (I 170 / Inner Belt Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|MO 180 / Saint Charles Rock Road
At end of road, turn left onto MO 180 / Saint Charles Rock Road
Navigation decision point
5
2.7 mi into trip|~4m in|I 170 / Inner Belt Expressway
Merge onto I 170 / Inner Belt Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
4.1 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 7B
Toward I 70 West: Kansas City
5
4.5 mi into trip|~7m in|I 70
Merge onto I 70
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
226.1 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
I 70
221.6 mi
4h 12m
Saint Charles Rock Road
2.2 mi
3m
South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi
3m
Inner Belt Expressway
1.4 mi
1m
South Jackson Drive
1.2 mi
2m
Holke Road
0.9 mi
2m
East Truman Road
0.7 mi
1m
Main Road
0.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 221.6 mi, about 4h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pagedale, MO and East Independence, MO.
1
Start on this road
154 ft·14 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Ferguson Avenue
0.2 mi·34 sec·Ferguson Avenue
3
At end of road, turn left onto MO 180
0.5 mi·48 sec·Saint Charles Rock Road
4
Keep slight right at fork onto MO 180
1.7 mi·2 min·Saint Charles Rock Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward I 170 North
6
Merge onto I 170
1.4 mi·1 min·Inner Belt Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Exit 7BToward I 70 West: Kansas CityUse the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Merge onto I 70
222 mi·4 hr 12 min·I 70
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 17Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall EntranceUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi·3 min·South Little Blue Parkway
11
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
0.2 mi·37 sec·East R.D. Mize Road
12
Turn right onto South Jackson Drive
1.2 mi·2 min·South Jackson Drive
13
Turn straight onto Holke Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Holke Road
14
Turn left onto East Truman Road
0.7 mi·1 min·East Truman Road
15
Turn right onto Main Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Main Road
16
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
79 ft·3 sec·East 9th Street South
17
Arrive at destination
East 9th Street South
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 30-minute duration and highway-focused nature of this 231.3-mile trip, departing in the morning is recommended to allow ample time for your destination. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $36, flexibility is key. You can easily complete this drive in a single day. Keep an eye on I-70 for traffic, especially as you get closer to the Kansas City metropolitan area. The longest stretch on I-70 is over 220 miles, so consider a brief stop for stretching or a quick snack before embarking on that segment to ensure you remain comfortable and alert.
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 115.6 miles from Pagedale, MO, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 221.6 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 51 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.6 miles or 2h 13m 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 37m
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 Pagedale, 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 Pagedale, MO
This is one driving day of about 231.3 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Pagedale, 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 I 70 for about 221.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 115.6 mi from Pagedale, MO
· 2h 13m into the drive
The midpoint is around 115.6 miles from Pagedale, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 221.6 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.
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.
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
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
$20 to $30
mile 115.6
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Gateway Arch National Park
National Park
Gateway Arch National Park commemorates President Jefferson’s vision of a continental nation, the individuals and cultural groups who helped shape its history, St. Louis’ role in westward expansion, a...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.16 one way
$72.32 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$39.70
$79.41
premium
$4.89
$44.51
$89.02
diesel
$5.61
$51.07
$102.14
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.4
0
$24.29
$11.10
Efficient EV
57.8
0
$20.24
$9.25
EV Truck/SUV
92.5
1
$32.38
$14.80
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 as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Pagedale, MO
Late night
in Pagedale on Saturday
Local time
2:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
East Independence, MO
Late night
in East Independence on Saturday
Local time
2:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°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
28 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 Pagedale, MO to East Independence, MO covers 231.3 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 I 70, Saint Charles Rock Road, South Little Blue Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 115.6 miles from Pagedale, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.16 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 231.3 miles you will encounter 14 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: at 0.2 miles (MO 180 / Saint Charles Rock Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles (I 170 / Inner Belt Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Pagedale, MO to East Independence, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Gateway Arch National Park.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
