How far is Charleston, MO from Independence, MO?
The driving distance from Charleston, MO to Independence, MO is about 373.1 miles (600.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 313.8 miles (505 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 05h 45m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Missouri USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charleston and Independence.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston and Independence.
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1
Start on West Marshall Street
51 m · 7 sec · West Marshall Street
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2
Turn right onto South Main Street
1 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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3
Take the ramp right
1236 ft · 30 sec
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4
Merge slight left
10 mi · 11 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
1987 ft · 48 sec
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6
Merge slight left
27.1 mi · 29 min
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7
Keep slight left
101.5 mi · 1 hr 49 min
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8
Continue on Rosa Parks Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Rosa Parks Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
1279 ft · 27 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 270 West: Kansas City
118 m · 8 sec
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11
Continue on I 270 West
1.2 km · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left
11.5 mi · 14 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
705 ft · 17 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
2009 ft · 49 sec
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15
Continue on I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
674 ft · 10 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
25.4 mi · 31 min · Avenue of the Saints
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17
Take the exit slight left toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
3047 ft · 1 min
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18
Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
80.7 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
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19
Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
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20
Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
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21
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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22
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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23
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
52.5 mi · 57 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
24
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
-
25
Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
-
26
Take the exit slight right toward Noland Road
1110 ft · 24 sec
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27
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3 mi · 5 min · South Noland Road
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28
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
142 m · 23 sec · East Walnut Street
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29
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
120 m · 23 sec · South Lynn Street
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30
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
44 m · 6 sec · East Kansas Avenue
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Kansas Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charleston and Independence.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 55 North
Keep slight left
102 mi · 01h 49m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Charleston and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Independence.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charleston to Independence?
The road trip is about 373.1 miles (600.4 km) and usually takes 05h 45m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Wright City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 190.4 miles from Charleston and 182.7 miles from Independence.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 313.8 miles (505 km), while the road route adds roughly 59.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:28 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $49.66 one way or $99.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 117 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Charleston and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Independence.
Stop Ideas Near Wright City
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Park
Warrenton City Animal Control
Moscow Mills City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Wright City.
Washington
Hermann
Kirkwood
Gateway Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charleston and Independence. Straight-line distance: 313.8 mi (505.02 km).
#1 Charleston
City in Missouri
| Population | 5,015 |
| Coordinates | 36.9208900, -89.3506300 |
| Altitude | 98 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Independence
A city in Jackson County, Missouri.
| Population | 116,774 |
| Coordinates | 39.0911200, -94.4155100 |
| Altitude | 315 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Kansas Avenue (-94.415514, 39.091027)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 600 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $49.66 | $99.33 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $56.01 | $112.02 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $61.29 | $122.59 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $69.85 | $139.71 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Missouri · May 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.