How far is Independence, MO from Fulton, MO?

The driving distance from Independence, MO to Fulton, MO is about 143.4 miles (230.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 44m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 133.6 miles (215 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 29m 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
143.36 mi
02h 44m
Flight
133.62 mi
215.04 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
133.62 mi
Kilometers
215.04 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
143.36 mi
Kilometers
230.72 km
Drive Time
02h 44m

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 44m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fulton
Thu, Apr 23, 10:19 AM CDT
Return by in Independence
Thu, Apr 23, 1:04 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Independence
2026-04-23T07:35
Arrive Fulton
Thu, Apr 23, 10:19 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 44m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:45 AM to 12:45 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:00 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
Nelson
MO

City in Saline County, Missouri, United States

From Independence
71.5 mi
01h 22m
To Fulton
71.8 mi
01h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 21 mph S
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    3.1 mi · 5 min · South Noland Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto I 70 East: Columbia, Saint Louis

    1089 ft · 27 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    52.5 mi · 57 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

    32 mi · 34 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

    22.4 mi · 24 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    8.4 mi · 10 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward MO DD, MO J: Millersburg

    1041 ft · 26 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right

    3.4 mi · 5 min

  17. 17

    Continue straight

    1.3 km · 1 min

  18. 18

    Continue straight

    1.2 mi · 2 min

  19. 19

    Keep slight left

    9.1 mi · 13 min

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Westminster Avenue

    90 m · 10 sec · Westminster Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn right onto West 5th Street

    1773 ft · 51 sec · West 5th Street

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Court Street

    74 m · 11 sec · Court Street

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Court Street

Car Route Details

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

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
23 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
62.7 mi · 44%
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 38%
MO DD
11.2 mi · 8%
South Noland Road
3.07 mi · 2%
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.64 mi · 2%
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.94 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

52.5 mi · 00h 57m

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 44m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.8 mi
133.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Nelson
01h 22m from Independence
Leave By
1:00 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Independence and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fulton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 143.4 miles (230.7 km) and usually takes 02h 44m 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?

Nelson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.5 miles from Independence and 71.8 miles from Fulton.

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

The direct path is about 133.6 miles (215 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.8 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 1:00 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.08 one way or $38.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Independence and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fulton.

Stop Ideas Near Nelson

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

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

RAIL

Sedalia

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

Warrensburg

66 mi away
100 South Holden St.
RAIL

Jefferson City

88 mi away
101 Jefferson Street
RAIL

Lee's Summit

117 mi away
217 SW Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Fulton. Straight-line distance: 133.62 mi (215.04 km).

Independence

#1 Independence

A city in Jackson County, Missouri.

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

#2 Fulton

City in and county seat of Callaway County, Missouri

Population12,549
Coordinates38.8467100, -91.9479600
Altitude233
CountryUnited States
Start: Independence (-94.41551, 39.09112)
End: Fulton (-91.94796, 38.84671)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 231 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 35m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.06 gal
19.15 L · about $19.08
Round trip
$38.16
10.12 gal · 38.3 L
Estimated CO2
45 kg one way
Round trip: 89.9 kg / 198 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.08 $38.16
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.52 $43.04
Premium $4.65 $23.55 $47.10
Diesel $5.30 $26.84 $53.68

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Independence and Fulton. The current time is 07:35:03.

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.