Origin
St. Louis, MO
Night in St. Louis on Tuesday
Local time
11:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from St. Louis, MO to Belton, MO
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
5h 1m
Distance
259.7 mi
418 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 48m
★
6 AM
5h 1m
8 AM
5h 28m
10 AM
5h 11m
12 PM
5h 8m
3 PM
5h 12m
5 PM
5h 27m
8 PM
4h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Belton, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from St. Louis, MO to Belton, MO covers 259.7 miles and takes about 5h 1m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 80.7 miles on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.60 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
129.8 miles from St. Louis, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 1m drive with frequent turns across 259.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 27 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 39.7 miles in near US 40.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 259.7 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 39.7 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 234.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 250.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
39.7 mi into trip
|
~50m 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
8
234.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 29m in
Take the exit toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 15A
Toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
8
250.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 49, I 435 North, US 71: Joplin, Kansas City, Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 1
Toward I 49, I 435 North, US 71: Joplin, Kansas...
8
250.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 48m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
8
251.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 49m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
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 | 27.8 mi | 33m |
| I 470 | 15.5 mi | 18m |
| I 49 | 7 mi | 8m |
| Daniel Boone Expressway | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| Jack Buck Memorial Highway | 4.3 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between St. Louis, MO and Belton, MO.
1
Start on Market Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Market Street
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West: Wentzville
3
Merge onto I 64; US 40
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Jack Buck Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on I 64; US 40
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Daniel Boone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on I 64; US 40; US 61
28 mi
·
33 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
6
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.
7
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
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
Continue on I 70
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 15A
Toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
Use the right lane.
15
Merge onto I 470; MO 291
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
I 470; MO 291
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 470
9.2 mi
·
10 min
·
I 470
Toward I 470 South: Wichita
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 1
Toward I 49, I 435 North, US 71: Joplin, Kansas City, Des Moines
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 49; US 71
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
I 49; US 71
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 175
Toward MO Y
22
Turn right onto East 163rd Street
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
East 163rd Street
23
Continue on North Cedar Street
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
North Cedar Street
24
Turn slight right
116 ft
·
5 sec
25
Turn slight right onto MO 58
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
East North Avenue
26
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
0.2 mi
·
52 sec
·
East Walnut Street
27
Arrive at destination
East Walnut Street
Trip Plan
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 129.8 miles from St. Louis, MO, or about 2h 36m 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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.8 miles or 2h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Belton, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving St. 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 St. Louis, MO
This is one driving day of about 259.7 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from St. 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 80.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 129.8 mi from St. Louis, MO · 2h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
130 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 129.8 miles from St. Louis, 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 80.7 miles.
Arriving in Belton, MO
The final approach into Belton, 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 Belton, 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
$40.60 one way
$81.20 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
91 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $44.58 | $89.16 |
| premium | $4.89 | $49.98 | $99.95 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $57.34 | $114.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.9 | 0 | $27.27 | $12.47 |
| Efficient EV | 64.9 | 0 | $22.72 | $10.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 103.9 | 1 | $36.36 | $16.62 |
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 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
Belton, MO
Night in Belton on Tuesday
Local time
11:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Quincy, IL
130 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
11 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
5h 1m 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 St. Louis, MO to Belton, MO covers 259.7 miles and takes about 5h 1m 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 129.8 miles from St. Louis, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.60 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 is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 259.7 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 39.7 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 234.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 250.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from St. Louis, MO to Belton, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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