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

The driving distance from East Independence, MO to Willard, MO is about 159.9 miles (257.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 133.5 miles (214.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 47m 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
159.97 mi
03h 23m
Flight
133.55 mi
214.93 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
133.55 mi
Kilometers
214.93 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
159.97 mi
Kilometers
257.44 km
Drive Time
03h 23m

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 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Willard
Wed, Apr 29, 3:50 PM CDT
Return by in East Independence
Wed, Apr 29, 7:14 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave East Independence
2026-04-29T12:26
Arrive Willard
Wed, Apr 29, 3:50 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:24 AM to 11:24 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
10:12 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
Deepwater
MO

City in Missouri, USA

From East Independence
80 mi
01h 41m
To Willard
80 mi
01h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
44°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 3:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 mph NNW
Destination
46°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 5:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    2.8 mi · 3 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 7 South: Clinton

    924 ft · 20 sec

  14. 14

    Turn slight left onto MO 7 South: Clinton

    55.5 mi · 1 hr 4 min

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    57 mi · 1 hr 6 min

  16. 16

    Turn right

    4.5 mi · 10 min

  17. 17

    At the end of the road, turn left

    6.4 mi · 9 min

  18. 18

    Turn left onto West Jackson Street

    1725 ft · 49 sec · West Jackson Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Jackson Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
19 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
MO 7 South
113 mi · 70%
MO 291 South
30.7 mi · 19%
I 49 South
3.05 mi · 2%
East Truman Road
1.41 mi · 1%
US 50 West
0.56 mi
West Jackson Street
0.33 mi
Longest Stretch

MO 7 South

Continue straight

57 mi · 01h 06m

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 23m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.4 mi
133.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Deepwater
01h 41m from East Independence
Leave By
10:12 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving East Independence and Partly Cloudy near Willard.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 159.9 miles (257.4 km) and usually takes 03h 23m 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?

Deepwater is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80 miles from East Independence and 80 miles from Willard.

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

The direct path is about 133.5 miles (214.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.4 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 10:12 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.31 one way or $42.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around East Independence and Partly Cloudy near Willard.

Stop Ideas Near Deepwater

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

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

RAIL

Warrensburg

56 mi away
100 South Holden St.
RAIL

Sedalia

69 mi away
100 block of Main Street, through parking lot
RAIL

Lee's Summit

90 mi away
217 SW Main St.
RAIL

Independence

108 mi away
600 South Grand Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between East Independence and Willard. Straight-line distance: 133.55 mi (214.93 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 East Independence

A census-designated place in Jackson County, Missouri.

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

#2 Willard

City in Missouri

Population5,736
Coordinates37.3050500, -93.4285300
Altitude377
CountryUnited States
Start: East Independence (-94.35523, 39.09556)
End: Willard (-93.42853, 37.30505)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 257 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 17m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.65 gal
21.37 L · about $21.31
Round trip
$42.61
11.3 gal · 42.74 L
Estimated CO2
50.2 kg one way
Round trip: 100.4 kg / 221 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.31 $42.61
Mid-grade $4.25 $24.03 $48.06
Premium $4.65 $26.30 $52.59
Diesel $5.30 $29.97 $59.94

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 29, 2026

There is no time difference between East Independence and Willard. The current time is 12:26:16.

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.