How far is East Independence, MO from Waynesville, MO?
The driving distance from East Independence, MO to Waynesville, MO is about 188 miles (302.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 145.8 miles (234.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 12m 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 04h 06m.
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 Pettis County, Missouri, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between East Independence and Waynesville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Independence and Waynesville.
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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 left onto East Truman Road
1.1 km · 1 min · East Truman Road
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4
Turn right onto Holke Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Holke Road
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5
Turn straight onto South Jackson Drive
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Jackson Drive
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6
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
1268 ft · 37 sec · East R.D. Mize Road
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7
Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Little Blue Parkway
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8
Take the ramp left toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance
1489 ft · 38 sec
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9
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
52.5 mi · 57 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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10
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
8.5 mi · 9 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 65 South: Sedalia
1895 ft · 46 sec
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12
Merge slight left
15.9 mi · 18 min
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13
Turn slight left onto MO 765
706 ft · 14 sec · MO 765
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14
Continue straight
799 ft · 16 sec
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15
Turn straight onto North Ohio Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · North Ohio Avenue
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16
Turn left onto East Pettis Street
2233 ft · 1 min · East Pettis Street
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17
Continue on West Saline Street
1764 ft · 50 sec · West Saline Street
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18
Turn right onto North Engineer Avenue
2756 ft · 1 min · North Engineer Avenue
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19
Turn left onto East Broadway Boulevard
24.3 mi · 33 min · East Broadway Boulevard
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20
Turn right
14.5 mi · 19 min
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21
At the end of the road, turn left
15 mi · 19 min
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22
Turn right onto South Grand Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · South Grand Avenue
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23
Turn slight left onto West 17th Street
530 ft · 19 sec · West 17th Street
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24
Turn right
12 mi · 18 min
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25
Turn right
23.9 mi · 33 min
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26
Continue straight
12.4 mi · 20 min
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27
At the end of the road, turn right
93 m · 10 sec
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between East Independence and Waynesville.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
52.5 mi · 00h 57m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving East Independence and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Waynesville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from East Independence to Waynesville?
The road trip is about 188 miles (302.6 km) and usually takes 04h 06m 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?
Smithton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94 miles from East Independence and 94.1 miles from Waynesville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 145.8 miles (234.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.2 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 8:48 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.00 one way or $50.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.9 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 Waynesville.
Stop Ideas Near Smithton
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 Smithton.
Sedalia
Warrensburg
Jefferson City
Lee's Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between East Independence and Waynesville. Straight-line distance: 145.76 mi (234.58 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 Waynesville
City in Pulaski County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 5,308 |
| Coordinates | 37.8286500, -92.2007200 |
| Altitude | 246 |
| Country | United States |
End: Waynesville (-92.20072, 37.82865)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 303 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.00 | $50.00 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.20 | $56.39 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.86 | $61.71 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $35.17 | $70.33 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.