How far is East Independence, MO from Lake Lotawana, MO?

The driving distance from East Independence, MO to Lake Lotawana, MO is about 18.2 miles (29.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 38m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 13.3 miles (21.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
18.2 mi
00h 38m
Flight
13.33 mi
21.45 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from East Independence.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
13.33 mi
Kilometers
21.45 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
18.2 mi
Kilometers
29.29 km
Drive Time
00h 38m

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 00h 38m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake Lotawana
Sun, Apr 19, 12:08 AM CDT
Return by in East Independence
Sun, Apr 19, 12:46 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave East Independence
2026-04-18T23:30
Arrive Lake Lotawana
Sun, Apr 19, 12:08 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 38m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:38 AM to 7:38 PM CDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:14 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in East Independence
10:00 PM CDT
Flexible departure

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.

Mid-route stop
Blue Springs
MO

The most populous city in Jackson County, Missouri.

From East Independence
9.1 mi
00h 19m
To Lake Lotawana
9.1 mi
00h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
56°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph NW
Destination
56°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers then Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between East Independence and Lake Lotawana.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between East Independence and Lake Lotawana.

  1. 1

    Start on East 9th Street South

    24 m · 9 sec · East 9th Street South

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Main Road

    1341 ft · 1 min · Main Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Truman Road

    1.1 km · 1 min · East Truman Road

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Holke Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · Holke Road

  5. 5

    Turn straight onto South Jackson Drive

    1.2 mi · 2 min · South Jackson Drive

  6. 6

    Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road

    1268 ft · 37 sec · East R.D. Mize Road

  7. 7

    Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway

    1.7 mi · 3 min · South Little Blue Parkway

  8. 8

    Take the ramp left toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance

    1489 ft · 38 sec

  9. 9

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    3.3 mi · 4 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 7: Blue Springs, Lake Lotawana

    780 ft · 19 sec

  11. 11

    Turn slight right onto MO 7 South

    47 m · 4 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Mo Hwy 7

    5.9 mi · 11 min · Mo Hwy 7

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Northeast Colbern Road

    1 mi · 2 min · Northeast Colbern Road

  14. 14

    Continue on East Colbern Road

    3155 ft · 1 min · East Colbern Road

  15. 15

    Turn right onto South Lake Shore Drive

    1241 ft · 55 sec · South Lake Shore Drive

  16. 16

    Continue on Z Street

    1.1 mi · 4 min · Z Street

  17. 17

    Continue on Y Street

    1903 ft · 1 min · Y Street

  18. 18

    Continue on X Street

    970 ft · 43 sec · X Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · X Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between East Independence and Lake Lotawana.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
19 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
104.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Mo Hwy 7
5.92 mi · 33%
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
3.32 mi · 18%
South Little Blue Parkway
1.74 mi · 10%
South Jackson Drive
1.21 mi · 7%
Z Street
1.12 mi · 6%
Northeast Colbern Road
1.01 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Mo Hwy 7

Turn right onto Mo Hwy 7

5.92 mi · 00h 11m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 38m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.9 mi
13.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Blue Springs
00h 19m from East Independence
Leave By
7:14 PM CDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving East Independence and Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Lake Lotawana.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from East Independence to Lake Lotawana?

The road trip is about 18.2 miles (29.3 km) and usually takes 00h 38m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Blue Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.1 miles from East Independence and 9.1 miles from Lake Lotawana.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 13.3 miles (21.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.9 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:14 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.41 one way or $4.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around East Independence and Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Lake Lotawana.

Stop Ideas Near Blue Springs

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Blue Springs and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 8.8 mi away

Indepence Maintenance Dept

Independence , MO
320 W Lexington Ave, Independence, MO 64050
Rating 4.3/5 8 reviews Park
Independence City Hall
Meeting point 8.9 mi away

Independence City Hall

Independence , MO
111 E Maple Ave, Independence, MO 64050
Rating 2.8/5 24 reviews City government office,City clerk's office,City Hall,Government
Independence Municipal Court
Nearby stop 8.9 mi away

Independence Municipal Court

Independence , MO
111 E Maple Ave, Independence, MO 64050
Rating 2.1/5 43 reviews City courthouse

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Blue Springs.

RAIL

Lee's Summit

14 mi away
217 SW Main St.
RAIL

Independence

15 mi away
600 South Grand Ave.
RAIL

Union Station

27 mi away
30 West Pershing Rd.
RAIL

Warrensburg

55 mi away
100 South Holden St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between East Independence and Lake Lotawana. Straight-line distance: 13.33 mi (21.45 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 East Independence

A census-designated place in Jackson County, Missouri.

Population110,675
Coordinates39.0955600, -94.3552300
Altitude256
CountryUnited States
Lake Lotawana

#2 Lake Lotawana

City in Jackson County, Missouri, United States

Population2,131
Coordinates38.9230600, -94.2441100
Altitude274
CountryUnited States
Start: East Independence (-94.35523, 39.09556)
End: Lake Lotawana (-94.24411, 38.92306)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 29 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 21m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.64 gal
2.43 L · about $2.41
Round trip
$4.83
1.28 gal · 4.86 L
Estimated CO2
5.7 kg one way
Round trip: 11.4 kg / 25 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $2.41 $4.83
Mid-grade $4.25 $2.72 $5.44
Premium $4.65 $2.98 $5.96
Diesel $5.30 $3.39 $6.79

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between East Independence and Lake Lotawana. The current time is 23:30:25.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.