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

The driving distance from East Independence, MO to Tarkio, MO is about 128.6 miles (206.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 107.6 miles (173.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
128.59 mi
02h 37m
Flight
107.62 mi
173.19 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from East Independence.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
107.62 mi
Kilometers
173.19 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
128.59 mi
Kilometers
206.94 km
Drive Time
02h 37m

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 02h 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tarkio
Tue, May 12, 11:20 PM CDT
Return by in East Independence
Wed, May 13, 1:58 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave East Independence
2026-05-12T20:42
Arrive Tarkio
Tue, May 12, 11:20 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:38 AM to 12:38 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:14 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in East Independence
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Saint Joseph
MO

The most populous city in Buchanan County, Missouri.

From East Independence
64.3 mi
01h 18m
To Tarkio
64.3 mi
01h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Tuesday

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 17 mph SW
Destination
85°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 to 17 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    1.1 mi · 2 min · East Truman Road

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right

    2081 ft · 57 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    11.6 mi · 17 min

  6. 6

    Turn left onto West Kansas Street

    3175 ft · 1 min · West Kansas Street

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    11.1 mi · 14 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph

    1.1 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    4.7 mi · 5 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    2.7 mi · 3 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph

    37.1 mi · 40 min

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    38 mi · 41 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward US 59: Craig, Fairfax

    1577 ft · 29 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left

    12 mi · 18 min

  15. 15

    Turn right onto US Highway 59

    5.8 mi · 9 min · US Highway 59

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    1.4 mi · 2 min

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Walnut Street

    2617 ft · 50 sec · Walnut Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto South 3rd Street

    998 ft · 46 sec · South 3rd Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Main Street

    48 m · 7 sec · Main Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
20 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 29 North
83.2 mi · 65%
East Truman Road
13.2 mi · 10%
West Kansas Street
11.7 mi · 9%
US Highway 59
7.24 mi · 6%
Walnut Street
0.5 mi
US 59
0.3 mi
Longest Stretch

I 29 North

Continue straight

38 mi · 00h 41m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 37m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21 mi
107.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Saint Joseph
01h 18m from East Independence
Leave By
1:14 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving East Independence and Mostly Sunny near Tarkio.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 128.6 miles (206.9 km) and usually takes 02h 37m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Saint Joseph is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.3 miles from East Independence and 64.3 miles from Tarkio.

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

The direct path is about 107.6 miles (173.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 21 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:14 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.12 one way or $34.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around East Independence and Mostly Sunny near Tarkio.

Stop Ideas Near Saint Joseph

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Saint Joseph, 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 Saint Joseph.

RAIL

Union Station

79 mi away
30 West Pershing Rd.
RAIL

Independence

84 mi away
600 South Grand Ave.
RAIL

Lawrence

95 mi away
413 East 7th Street
RAIL

Lee's Summit

103 mi away
217 SW Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between East Independence and Tarkio. Straight-line distance: 107.62 mi (173.19 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 East Independence

A census-designated place in Jackson County, Missouri.

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

#2 Tarkio

City in Missouri

Population1,420
Coordinates40.4402800, -95.3777600
Altitude283
CountryUnited States
Start: East Independence (-94.35523, 39.09556)
End: Tarkio (-95.37776, 40.44028)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 207 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 08m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.54 gal
17.18 L · about $17.12
Round trip
$34.24
9.08 gal · 34.36 L
Estimated CO2
40.3 kg one way
Round trip: 80.7 kg / 178 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.12 $34.24
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.31 $38.62
Premium $4.65 $21.13 $42.26
Diesel $5.30 $24.08 $48.16

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between East Independence and Tarkio. The current time is 20:42:33.

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.