How far is Independence, MO from Carterville, MO?

The driving distance from Independence, MO to Carterville, MO is about 153.7 miles (247.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 51m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 134.2 miles (215.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
153.76 mi
02h 51m
Flight
134.18 mi
215.94 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Independence.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
134.18 mi
Kilometers
215.94 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
153.76 mi
Kilometers
247.45 km
Drive Time
02h 51m

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 02h 51m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Carterville
Sat, Apr 18, 3:17 AM CDT
Return by in Independence
Sat, Apr 18, 6:08 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Independence
2026-04-18T00:26
Arrive Carterville
Sat, Apr 18, 3:17 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 51m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:51 AM to 12:51 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:48 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Independence
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Rich Hill
MO

City in Missouri

From Independence
77 mi
01h 25m
To Carterville
76.8 mi
01h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
58°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 17 mph NW
Destination
59°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 17 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    129.8 mi · 2 hr 20 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 571 South, MO 96, I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City

    706 ft · 15 sec

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway

    5.9 mi · 6 min · Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward MO HH: Carterville

    979 ft · 22 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    1 km · 1 min · West Main Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
18 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 49 South
131 mi · 85%
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
8.3 mi · 5%
Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
5.94 mi · 4%
South Noland Road
3.01 mi · 2%
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.9 mi · 2%
George Brett Super Highway
1.06 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 49 South

Merge slight left

130 mi · 02h 20m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 51m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.5 mi
134.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Rich Hill
01h 25m from Independence
Leave By
12:48 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Independence and Showers And Thunderstorms near Carterville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 153.7 miles (247.4 km) and usually takes 02h 51m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Rich Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77 miles from Independence and 76.8 miles from Carterville.

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

The direct path is about 134.2 miles (215.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:48 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.48 one way or $40.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Independence and Showers And Thunderstorms near Carterville.

Stop Ideas Near Rich Hill

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

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

RAIL

Lee's Summit

91 mi away
217 SW Main St.
RAIL

Warrensburg

92 mi away
100 South Holden St.
RAIL

Independence

110 mi away
600 South Grand Ave.
RAIL

Union Station

112 mi away
30 West Pershing Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Carterville. Straight-line distance: 134.18 mi (215.94 km).

Independence

#1 Independence

A city in Jackson County, Missouri.

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

#2 Carterville

City in Jasper County, Missouri, United States of America

Population1,965
Coordinates37.1492300, -94.4430000
Altitude300
CountryUnited States
Start: Independence (-94.41551, 39.09112)
End: Carterville (-94.443, 37.14923)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 247 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 07m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 50m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 04m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 33m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 11m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.43 gal
20.54 L · about $20.48
Round trip
$40.95
10.86 gal · 41.08 L
Estimated CO2
48.3 kg one way
Round trip: 96.5 kg / 213 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.48 $40.95
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.09 $46.19
Premium $4.65 $25.27 $50.54
Diesel $5.30 $28.80 $57.60

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Independence and Carterville. The current time is 00:26:03.

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.