How far is Independence, MO from Aurora, MO?

The driving distance from Independence, MO to Aurora, MO is about 193.7 miles (311.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 38m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 151.3 miles (243.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 16m 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
193.74 mi
03h 38m
Flight
151.33 mi
243.54 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Independence.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
151.33 mi
Kilometers
243.54 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
193.74 mi
Kilometers
311.79 km
Drive Time
03h 38m

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 38m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Aurora
Sun, Apr 12, 4:03 PM CDT
Return by in Independence
Sun, Apr 12, 7:41 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Independence
2026-04-12T12:25
Arrive Aurora
Sun, Apr 12, 4:03 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 38m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:38 AM to 11:38 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
9:44 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in 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 Independence
96.9 mi
01h 49m
To Aurora
96.8 mi
01h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 18 mph S
Destination
73°F
Sunday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 to 17 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Aurora.

  1. 1

    Start on East Kansas Avenue

    44 m · 8 sec · East Kansas Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Lynn Street

    120 m · 23 sec · South Lynn Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Walnut Street

    142 m · 25 sec · East Walnut Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto South Noland Road

    3 mi · 5 min · South Noland Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 70 West: Kansas City

    766 ft · 19 sec

  6. 6

    Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on George Brett Super Highway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · George Brett Super Highway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 435 South: Wichita

    1955 ft · 48 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway

    8.3 mi · 10 min · Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 49 South, US 71 South, I 470 East, US 50 East: Joplin, Lee's Summit

    1.1 km · 46 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 49, I 470, US 50 East, US 71 South: Joplin, Lee's Summit

    749 ft · 13 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin

    1594 ft · 39 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    136.8 mi · 2 hr 27 min

  14. 14

    Continue on George Washington Carver Memorial Highway

    1622 ft · 23 sec · George Washington Carver Memorial Highway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I 44 East: Springfield

    1230 ft · 35 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Congressman Gene Taylor Highway

    28.2 mi · 30 min · Congressman Gene Taylor Highway

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 39, MO 265, I 44 Business: Mount Vernon, Aurora

    1595 ft · 42 sec

  18. 18

    Turn right

    10.5 mi · 16 min

  19. 19

    Turn right onto South Elliott Avenue

    1535 ft · 26 sec · South Elliott Avenue

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Elliott Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 49 South
138 mi · 71%
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
28.2 mi · 15%
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
8.3 mi · 4%
South Noland Road
3.01 mi · 2%
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.9 mi · 1%
George Brett Super Highway
1.06 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 49 South

Merge slight left

137 mi · 02h 27m

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 38m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+42.4 mi
151.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Nevada
01h 49m from Independence
Leave By
9:44 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Independence and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Aurora.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Independence to Aurora?

The road trip is about 193.7 miles (311.8 km) and usually takes 03h 38m 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 96.9 miles from Independence and 96.8 miles from Aurora.

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

The direct path is about 151.3 miles (243.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.4 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 9:44 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.19 one way or $50.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms around Independence and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Aurora.

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 Independence and Aurora. Straight-line distance: 151.33 mi (243.54 km).

Independence

#1 Independence

A city in Jackson County, Missouri.

Population116,774
Coordinates39.0911200, -94.4155100
Altitude315
CountryUnited States
Aurora

#2 Aurora

City in Lawrence County, Missouri, United States

Population7,432
Coordinates36.9708900, -93.7179800
Altitude427
CountryUnited States
Start: Independence (-94.41551, 39.09112)
End: Aurora (-93.71798, 36.97089)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 312 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 27m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 50m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 13m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 46m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 25m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.68 gal
25.27 L · about $25.19
Round trip
$50.38
13.36 gal · 50.54 L
Estimated CO2
59.4 kg one way
Round trip: 118.7 kg / 262 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $25.19 $50.38
Mid-grade $4.25 $28.41 $56.82
Premium $4.65 $31.09 $62.18
Diesel $5.30 $35.43 $70.86

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 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Independence and Aurora. The current time is 12:25:38.

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.