How far is East Independence, MO from Kirksville, MO?
The driving distance from East Independence, MO to Kirksville, MO is about 156.3 miles (251.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 121 miles (194.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 08m 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 03h 34m.
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 Daviess County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between East Independence and Kirksville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Independence and Kirksville.
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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
1858 ft · 45 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
41 mi · 44 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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11
Take the exit slight right
1053 ft · 26 sec
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12
Turn right
4.3 mi · 6 min
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13
Turn straight
30.9 mi · 40 min
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14
Turn right onto East 9th Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · East 9th Street
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15
Continue on 10th Street
25.5 mi · 38 min · 10th Street
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16
Turn left
24.7 mi · 37 min
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17
Continue straight
9.1 mi · 14 min
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18
Turn right onto Potter Trail
1.6 mi · 3 min · Potter Trail
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19
Continue on West Potter Avenue
3164 ft · 1 min · West Potter Avenue
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20
Turn right onto North Osteopathy
1.2 mi · 3 min · North Osteopathy
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21
Turn left onto West Washington Street
2163 ft · 1 min · West Washington Street
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22
Turn left onto North Franklin Street
3 m · 1 sec · North Franklin Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Franklin Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between East Independence and Kirksville.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Merge slight left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
41 mi · 00h 44m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving East Independence and Sunny near Kirksville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from East Independence to Kirksville?
The road trip is about 156.3 miles (251.6 km) and usually takes 03h 34m 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?
Jamesport is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.1 miles from East Independence and 78.2 miles from Kirksville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 121 miles (194.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.3 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 9:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.82 one way or $41.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around East Independence and Sunny near Kirksville.
Stop Ideas Near Jamesport
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 Jamesport.
Independence
La Plata
Osceola
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between East Independence and Kirksville. Straight-line distance: 121.06 mi (194.82 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 Kirksville
City in Adair County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 17,653 |
| Coordinates | 40.1947500, -92.5832500 |
| Altitude | 299 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kirksville (-92.58325, 40.19475)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 252 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.82 | $41.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.48 | $46.95 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.69 | $51.38 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.28 | $58.56 |
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 · Jun 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.