How far is East Independence, MO from Thayer, MO?
The driving distance from East Independence, MO to Thayer, MO is about 299.4 miles (481.9 km), with a travel time of about 06h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 234.9 miles (378.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 06m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Polk County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between East Independence and Thayer.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Independence and Thayer.
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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
1.4 mi · 3 min · East Truman Road
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
1589 ft · 43 sec
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5
Merge slight left
10 mi · 13 min
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6
Keep slight left to continue on MO 291 South: Harrisonville
3.3 mi · 6 min
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7
Take the ramp right toward US 50 West, MO 291 South: Kansas City
2959 ft · 54 sec
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8
Take the exit slight right toward MO 291 South: Jefferson Street, Harrisonville
767 ft · 19 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on MO 291 South: Harrisonville
16.9 mi · 25 min
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10
Continue on Cantrell Road
629 ft · 19 sec · Cantrell Road
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11
Take the exit straight toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
1138 ft · 28 sec
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12
Merge slight left
2.8 mi · 3 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward MO 7 South: Clinton
924 ft · 20 sec
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14
Turn slight left onto MO 7 South: Clinton
55.5 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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15
Continue straight
68 mi · 1 hr 19 min
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16
Take the exit slight left toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis
954 ft · 23 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Payne Stewart Highway
4.3 mi · 5 min · Payne Stewart Highway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 65 South: Branson
2343 ft · 50 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Schoolcraft Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · Schoolcraft Freeway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward US 60 East: Cabool
1228 ft · 53 sec
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21
Merge slight left
82.2 mi · 1 hr 36 min
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22
Keep slight right to continue on US 63 South: West Plains, Thayer
43.8 mi · 55 min
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23
Take the exit slight right
63 m · 7 sec
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24
Turn straight onto West Walnut Street
788 ft · 24 sec · West Walnut Street
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25
Turn right onto Front Street
133 m · 19 sec · Front Street
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26
Turn sharp right
23 m · 3 sec
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between East Independence and Thayer.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
US 60 East
Merge slight left
82.2 mi · 01h 36m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving East Independence and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms near Thayer.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from East Independence to Thayer?
The road trip is about 299.4 miles (481.9 km) and usually takes 06h 06m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Pleasant Hope is a useful midpoint, sitting about 149.8 miles from East Independence and 149.8 miles from Thayer.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 234.9 miles (378.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 64.5 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.86 one way or $79.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around East Independence and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms near Thayer.
Stop Ideas Near Pleasant Hope
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Historic City Hall
Willard City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pleasant Hope.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between East Independence and Thayer. Straight-line distance: 234.93 mi (378.08 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 |
End: Thayer (-91.5382, 36.52451)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 482 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.86 | $79.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.95 | $89.91 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $49.19 | $98.39 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $56.06 | $112.13 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.