How far is Independence, MO from Garden City, MO?
The driving distance from Independence, MO to Garden City, MO is about 53.3 miles (85.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 38.6 miles (62.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 03m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Texas, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Independence and Garden City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Garden City.
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1
Start on East Kansas Avenue
44 m · 8 sec · East Kansas Avenue
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2
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
120 m · 23 sec · South Lynn Street
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3
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
142 m · 25 sec · East Walnut Street
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4
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3 mi · 5 min · South Noland Road
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 70 West: Kansas City
766 ft · 19 sec
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6
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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7
Continue on George Brett Super Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · George Brett Super Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 435 South: Wichita
1955 ft · 48 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
8.3 mi · 10 min · Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
-
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
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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
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
1594 ft · 39 sec
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13
Merge slight left
26 mi · 29 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward MO 7 South: Clinton
924 ft · 20 sec
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15
Turn slight left onto MO 7 South: Clinton
8.9 mi · 10 min
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16
Take the exit slight right
1730 ft · 48 sec
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17
Turn right
3202 ft · 1 min
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18
Turn left onto Main Street
842 ft · 37 sec · Main Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Garden City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 49 South
Merge slight left
26 mi · 00h 29m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Independence and Sunny near Garden City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Independence to Garden City?
The road trip is about 53.3 miles (85.8 km) and usually takes 01h 03m 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?
Belton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.7 miles from Independence and 26.7 miles from Garden City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 38.6 miles (62.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.7 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 4:22 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.09 one way or $14.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Independence and Sunny near Garden City.
Stop Ideas Near Belton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Leawood Community Center
City of Grandview
Grandview DMV
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Belton.
Lee's Summit
Union Station
Independence
Lawrence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Garden City. Straight-line distance: 38.56 mi (62.05 km).
#1 Independence
A city in Jackson County, Missouri.
| Population | 116,774 |
| Coordinates | 39.0911200, -94.4155100 |
| Altitude | 315 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Garden City
City in Cass County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 1,638 |
| Coordinates | 38.5611200, -94.1913300 |
| Altitude | 281 |
| Country | United States |
End: Garden City (-94.19133, 38.56112)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 86 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $7.09 | $14.18 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $8.00 | $15.99 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $8.75 | $17.50 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $9.97 | $19.94 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.