How far is Independence, MO from Kansas City, MO?
The driving distance from Independence, MO to Kansas City, MO is about 13.7 miles (22.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 8.8 miles (14.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 20m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 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 Kansas City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Kansas 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
1.2 km · 1 min · South Noland Road
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5
Turn right onto East 23rd Street South
3 mi · 6 min · East 23rd Street South
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6
Continue on East 23rd Trafficway
2.5 mi · 4 min · East 23rd Trafficway
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7
Continue on East 23rd Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · East 23rd Street
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8
Take the ramp right toward Askew Avenue
33 m · 4 sec · Askew Avenue
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9
Turn slight left onto I 70 West, US 24 West, US 40 West
665 ft · 16 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto George Brett Super Highway
2 mi · 3 min · George Brett Super Highway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South: Topeka, Wichita
1120 ft · 21 sec
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12
Take the exit slight right toward 13th Street, Downtown
905 ft · 24 sec
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13
Continue on East 13th Street
1313 ft · 35 sec · East 13th Street
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14
Turn right onto Oak Street
139 m · 13 sec · Oak Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Oak Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Kansas City.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
East 23rd Street South
Turn right onto East 23rd Street South
3.03 mi · 00h 06m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Independence and Mostly Sunny near Kansas City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Independence to Kansas City?
The road trip is about 13.7 miles (22.1 km) and usually takes 00h 20m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Sugar Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 5.3 miles from Independence and 8.5 miles from Kansas City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 8.8 miles (14.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.9 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:48 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.85 one way or $3.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Independence and Mostly Sunny near Kansas City.
Stop Ideas Near Sugar Creek
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Parkville City Hall
St. Louis - Kansas City Carpenters Regional Council
Overlook at Quality Hill
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sugar Creek.
Independence
Union Station
Lee's Summit
Lawrence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Kansas City. Straight-line distance: 8.76 mi (14.1 km).
#1 Independence
A city in Jackson County, Missouri.
| Population | 116,774 |
| Coordinates | 39.0911200, -94.4155100 |
| Altitude | 315 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Kansas City
The third most populous city in Missouri and the center of the Kansas City metropolitan area.
| Population | 495,327 |
| Coordinates | 39.0997300, -94.5785700 |
| Altitude | 274 |
| Country | United States |
End: Oak Street (-94.578571, 39.099732)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 22 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $1.85 | $3.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $2.08 | $4.17 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $2.28 | $4.56 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $2.60 | $5.20 |
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.