How far is East Independence, MO from Seneca, MO?

The driving distance from East Independence, MO to Seneca, MO is about 172.9 miles (278.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 156.3 miles (251.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
172.83 mi
03h 27m
Flight
156.37 mi
251.65 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from East Independence.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
156.37 mi
Kilometers
251.65 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
172.83 mi
Kilometers
278.15 km
Drive Time
03h 27m

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 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Seneca
Sat, May 30, 4:06 PM CDT
Return by in East Independence
Sat, May 30, 7:33 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave East Independence
2026-05-30T12:39
Arrive Seneca
Sat, May 30, 4:06 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:27 AM to 11:27 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:06 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in East Independence
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Nevada
MO

Town in Vernon County, Missouri, United States

From East Independence
86.5 mi
01h 43m
To Seneca
86.3 mi
01h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 9 mph ESE
Destination
82°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between East Independence and Seneca.

  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 right onto East Truman Road

    1.4 mi · 3 min · East Truman Road

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward MO 291 South: Lee's Summit

    1589 ft · 43 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    10 mi · 13 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on MO 291 South: Harrisonville

    3.3 mi · 6 min

  7. 7

    Take the ramp right toward US 50 West, MO 291 South: Kansas City

    2959 ft · 54 sec

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 291 South: Jefferson Street, Harrisonville

    767 ft · 19 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on MO 291 South: Harrisonville

    16.9 mi · 25 min

  10. 10

    Continue on Cantrell Road

    629 ft · 19 sec · Cantrell Road

  11. 11

    Take the exit straight toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin

    1138 ft · 28 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    106.6 mi · 1 hr 54 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 571 South, MO 96, I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City

    706 ft · 15 sec

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway

    6.6 mi · 7 min · Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on Governor Warren E Hearnes Memorial Highway

    5.8 mi · 6 min · Governor Warren E Hearnes Memorial Highway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward I 44 West: Tulsa

    1025 ft · 29 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Congressman Gene Taylor Highway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Congressman Gene Taylor Highway

  18. 18

    Continue on George Washington Carver Memorial Highway

    6.3 mi · 7 min · George Washington Carver Memorial Highway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 43 South: Seneca

    744 ft · 18 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on MO 43 South: Seneca

    112 m · 13 sec

  21. 21

    Continue on Coyote Drive

    2303 ft · 47 sec · Coyote Drive

  22. 22

    Continue on Cherokee Avenue

    12.2 mi · 19 min · Cherokee Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Delaware Street

    15 m · 2 sec · Delaware Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Delaware Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
24 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
3 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 49 South
107 mi · 62%
MO 291 South
30.7 mi · 18%
Cherokee Avenue
12.2 mi · 7%
Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
6.63 mi · 4%
George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
6.33 mi · 4%
Governor Warren E Hearnes Memorial Highway
5.76 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 49 South

Merge slight left

107 mi · 01h 54m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 27m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.6 mi
156.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Nevada
01h 43m from East Independence
Leave By
10:06 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving East Independence and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Seneca.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from East Independence to Seneca?

The road trip is about 172.9 miles (278.2 km) and usually takes 03h 27m 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?

Nevada is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.5 miles from East Independence and 86.3 miles from Seneca.

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

The direct path is about 156.3 miles (251.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.6 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 10:06 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.00 one way or $46.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around East Independence and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Seneca.

Stop Ideas Near Nevada

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Nevada, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Nevada.

RAIL

Warrensburg

116 mi away
100 South Holden St.
RAIL

Lee's Summit

119 mi away
217 SW Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between East Independence and Seneca. Straight-line distance: 156.37 mi (251.65 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 East Independence

A census-designated place in Jackson County, Missouri.

Population110,675
Coordinates39.0955600, -94.3552300
Altitude256
CountryUnited States
Seneca

#2 Seneca

City in Missouri

Population2,394
Coordinates36.8414600, -94.6110600
Altitude258
CountryUnited States
Start: East Independence (-94.35523, 39.09556)
End: Seneca (-94.61106, 36.84146)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 278 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.1 gal
23.09 L · about $23.00
Round trip
$46.01
12.2 gal · 46.18 L
Estimated CO2
54.2 kg one way
Round trip: 108.4 kg / 239 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.00 $46.01
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.94 $51.89
Premium $4.65 $28.39 $56.78
Diesel $5.30 $32.35 $64.71

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between East Independence and Seneca. The current time is 12:39:11.

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.