How far is Independence, MO from Canton, MO?
The driving distance from Independence, MO to Canton, MO is about 230.5 miles (371 km), with a travel time of about 04h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 170.1 miles (273.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 13m 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 36m.
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 Linn County, Missouri
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Independence and Canton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Canton.
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1
Start on East Kansas Avenue
44 m · 12 sec · East Kansas Avenue
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2
Turn left onto South Lynn Street
124 m · 20 sec · South Lynn Street
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3
Turn right onto East Lexington Avenue
835 ft · 28 sec · East Lexington Avenue
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4
Turn left onto North Noland Road
1 km · 2 min · North Noland Road
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5
Turn right onto West US Highway 24
2.1 mi · 5 min · West US Highway 24
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6
Turn left onto MO 291 North: Liberty
961 ft · 29 sec
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7
Merge slight left
8.3 mi · 12 min
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8
Turn slight right
125 m · 8 sec
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9
Turn slight right onto South Leonard Street
3174 ft · 2 min · South Leonard Street
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10
Continue on Lightburne Street
2.8 mi · 5 min · Lightburne Street
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11
Take the ramp slight right
1858 ft · 45 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
33.7 mi · 36 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 36, MO 110 East, I 35 Business: Cameron, Hamilton
1213 ft · 33 sec
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14
Turn right onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
148.6 mi · 2 hr 52 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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15
Continue on V.F.W. Memorial Highway
2621 ft · 35 sec · V.F.W. Memorial Highway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 24 East: Palmyra
1813 ft · 50 sec
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17
Turn left
16.8 mi · 20 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Avenue of the Saints
13.4 mi · 16 min · Avenue of the Saints
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19
Take the exit slight right
1156 ft · 29 sec
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20
Turn right onto Oak Street
1807 ft · 36 sec · Oak Street
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21
Continue on South Monticello Road
1851 ft · 37 sec · South Monticello Road
-
22
Turn right onto Washington Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Washington Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Canton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Turn right onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
149 mi · 02h 52m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Independence and Mostly Sunny near Canton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Independence to Canton?
The road trip is about 230.5 miles (371 km) and usually takes 04h 36m 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?
Brookfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 115.1 miles from Independence and 115.4 miles from Canton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 170.1 miles (273.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 60.4 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 7:46 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.66 one way or $61.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Independence and Mostly Sunny near Canton.
Stop Ideas Near Brookfield
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 Brookfield.
La Plata
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Canton. Straight-line distance: 170.06 mi (273.69 km).
#1 Independence
A city in Jackson County, Missouri.
| Population | 116,774 |
| Coordinates | 39.0911200, -94.4155100 |
| Altitude | 315 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Canton
City in Lewis County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 2,314 |
| Coordinates | 40.1295000, -91.5185200 |
| Altitude | 182 |
| Country | United States |
End: Canton (-91.51852, 40.1295)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 371 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $30.66 | $61.32 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $34.58 | $69.15 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $37.84 | $75.67 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $43.12 | $86.24 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.