How far is Independence, MO from Clarkton, MO?

The driving distance from Independence, MO to Clarkton, MO is about 398.1 miles (640.7 km), with a travel time of about 08h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 303.7 miles (488.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 16h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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
398.12 mi
08h 03m
Flight
303.71 mi
488.78 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
303.71 mi
Kilometers
488.78 km
Flight Time
00h 36m

Driving Distance

Road route
398.12 mi
Kilometers
640.72 km
Drive Time
08h 03m

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 08h 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Clarkton
Fri, May 22, 3:01 AM CDT
Return by in Independence
Fri, May 22, 11:04 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Independence
2026-05-21T18:58
Arrive Clarkton
Fri, May 22, 3:01 AM CDT
Route Timing
08h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT
Treat this as a longer travel day
Arrive between
2:03 PM to 3:33 PM CDT

Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

Leave by
7:54 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 08h 00m at the destination.
Back in Independence
8:00 PM CDT
Overnight-style route

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
Fordland
MO

City in Webster County, Missouri, United States

From Independence
199 mi
04h 01m
To Clarkton
199.1 mi
04h 01m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
65°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, May 21 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph ENE
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, May 21 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    26 mi · 29 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 7 South: Clinton

    924 ft · 20 sec

  15. 15

    Turn slight left onto MO 7 South: Clinton

    55.5 mi · 1 hr 4 min

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    68 mi · 1 hr 19 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight left toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis

    954 ft · 23 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto Payne Stewart Highway

    4.3 mi · 5 min · Payne Stewart Highway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward US 65 South: Branson

    2343 ft · 50 sec

  20. 20

    Merge slight left onto Schoolcraft Freeway

    8.3 mi · 10 min · Schoolcraft Freeway

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward US 60 East: Cabool

    1228 ft · 53 sec

  22. 22

    Merge slight left

    82.2 mi · 1 hr 36 min

  23. 23

    Keep slight left to continue on US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff

    90.4 mi · 1 hr 47 min

  24. 24

    Keep slight right

    4.8 mi · 6 min

  25. 25

    Turn straight onto North Westwood Boulevard

    1.6 mi · 3 min · North Westwood Boulevard

  26. 26

    Continue on State Street

    1396 ft · 26 sec · State Street

  27. 27

    Continue on North Westwood Boulevard

    2.3 mi · 4 min · North Westwood Boulevard

  28. 28

    Turn slight left

    41 m · 7 sec

  29. 29

    Turn slight left

    27.6 mi · 41 min

  30. 30

    Turn left

    5.4 mi · 8 min

  31. 31

    Turn right

    2.3 mi · 4 min

  32. 32

    Turn left

    1437 ft · 39 sec

  33. 33

    Continue straight

    661 ft · 18 sec

  34. 34

    Continue on North Main Street

    2800 ft · 1 min · North Main Street

  35. 35

    Turn left onto East Clark Street

    33 m · 5 sec · East Clark Street

  36. 36

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Clark Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
36 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
12
5 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 60 East
178 mi · 45%
MO 7 South
124 mi · 31%
I 49 South
27 mi · 7%
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
8.3 mi · 2%
Schoolcraft Freeway
8.29 mi · 2%
Payne Stewart Highway
4.28 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 60 East

Keep slight left to continue on US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff

90.4 mi · 01h 47m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

Better with a longer stop

This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.

Drive Time
08h 03m
Overnight route
Same-Day Return
16h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+94.4 mi
303.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Fordland
04h 01m from Independence
Leave By
7:54 PM CDT
Overnight-style route
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Independence and Chance Rain Showers near Clarkton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 398.1 miles (640.7 km) and usually takes 08h 03m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Fordland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 199 miles from Independence and 199.1 miles from Clarkton.

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

The direct path is about 303.7 miles (488.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 94.4 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $52.98 one way or $105.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 124.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Independence and Chance Rain Showers near Clarkton.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Clarkton. Straight-line distance: 303.71 mi (488.78 km).

Independence

#1 Independence

A city in Jackson County, Missouri.

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

#2 Clarkton

City in Dunklin County, Missouri, United States

Population1,139
Coordinates36.4517300, -89.9670400
Altitude86
CountryUnited States
Start: Independence (-94.41551, 39.09112)
End: Clarkton (-89.96704, 36.45173)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 641 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)13h 15m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)09h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)07h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)06h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)05h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 58m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
14.05 gal
53.18 L · about $52.98
Round trip
$105.97
28.1 gal · 106.36 L
Estimated CO2
124.9 kg one way
Round trip: 249.7 kg / 550 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $52.98 $105.97
Mid-grade $4.25 $59.75 $119.51
Premium $4.65 $65.39 $130.78
Diesel $5.30 $74.52 $149.04

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 21, 2026

There is no time difference between Independence and Clarkton. The current time is 18:58:51.

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.