How far is East Independence, MO from Athens, MO?
The driving distance from East Independence, MO to Athens, MO is about 246.9 miles (397.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 174.4 miles (280.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 57m 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 28m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Human settlement in Harrison County, Missouri, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between East Independence and Athens.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Independence and Athens.
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1
Start on East 9th Street South
24 m · 9 sec · East 9th Street South
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2
Turn left onto Main Road
1341 ft · 1 min · Main Road
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3
Turn right onto East Truman Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · East Truman Road
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4
Take the ramp slight right
2081 ft · 57 sec
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5
Merge slight left
9.9 mi · 14 min
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6
Turn slight right
125 m · 8 sec
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7
Turn slight right onto South Leonard Street
3174 ft · 2 min · South Leonard Street
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8
Continue on Lightburne Street
2.8 mi · 5 min · Lightburne Street
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9
Take the ramp slight right
1867 ft · 46 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
106.3 mi · 1 hr 54 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward IA 2: Leon, Mount Ayr
2095 ft · 52 sec
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12
Turn right onto State Highway 2
682 ft · 13 sec · State Highway 2
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13
Continue on Vine Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Vine Street
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14
Continue on State Highway 2
3.4 mi · 5 min · State Highway 2
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15
Continue on West 1st Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · West 1st Street
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16
Continue on State Highway 2
21.6 mi · 32 min · State Highway 2
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17
Continue on West Jefferson Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Jefferson Street
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18
Turn straight onto State Highway 2
8.3 mi · 12 min · State Highway 2
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19
Continue on West Main Street
2658 ft · 45 sec · West Main Street
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20
Continue on State Highway 2
14 mi · 21 min · State Highway 2
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21
Continue on West Maple Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Maple Street
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22
Continue on State Highway 2
38 mi · 55 min · State Highway 2
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23
Continue on West Highway 2
1.8 mi · 3 min · West Highway 2
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24
Continue on State Highway 2
19 mi · 28 min · State Highway 2
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25
Continue on State Highway 2
4.6 mi · 7 min · State Highway 2
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26
Turn right onto State Highway 81
2.2 mi · 3 min · State Highway 81
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27
Continue straight
2.6 mi · 4 min
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28
Turn left
4 mi · 10 min
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between East Independence and Athens.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Merge slight left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
106 mi · 01h 54m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving East Independence and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Athens.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from East Independence to Athens?
The road trip is about 246.9 miles (397.3 km) and usually takes 05h 28m 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?
Blythedale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 123.4 miles from East Independence and 123.5 miles from Athens.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 174.4 miles (280.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 72.5 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 6:02 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.85 one way or $65.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around East Independence and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Athens.
Stop Ideas Near Blythedale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Blythedale.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between East Independence and Athens. Straight-line distance: 174.41 mi (280.68 km).
#1 East Independence
A census-designated place in Jackson County, Missouri.
| Population | 110,675 |
| Coordinates | 39.0955600, -94.3552300 |
| Altitude | 256 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Athens
Township in Missouri
| Population | 2,080 |
| Coordinates | 40.5825400, -91.6985000 |
| Altitude | 186 |
| Country | United States |
End: Athens (-91.6985, 40.58254)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 397 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.85 | $65.69 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.04 | $74.09 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.54 | $81.07 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.20 | $92.40 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.