How far is Independence, MO from Kearney, MO?
The driving distance from Independence, MO to Kearney, MO is about 21.7 miles (34.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 19.3 miles (31.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 10m 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 35m.
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, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Independence and Kearney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Kearney.
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1
Start on East Kansas Avenue
44 m · 12 sec · East Kansas Avenue
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2
Turn left onto South Lynn Street
124 m · 20 sec · South Lynn Street
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3
Turn right onto East Lexington Avenue
835 ft · 28 sec · East Lexington Avenue
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4
Turn left onto North Noland Road
1 km · 2 min · North Noland Road
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5
Turn right onto West US Highway 24
2.1 mi · 5 min · West US Highway 24
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6
Turn left onto MO 291 North: Liberty
961 ft · 29 sec
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7
Merge slight left
8.3 mi · 12 min
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8
Turn slight right
125 m · 8 sec
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9
Turn slight right onto South Leonard Street
3174 ft · 2 min · South Leonard Street
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10
Continue on Lightburne Street
2.8 mi · 5 min · Lightburne Street
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11
Take the ramp slight right
1858 ft · 45 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
5.7 mi · 6 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right
708 ft · 14 sec
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14
Keep slight right
47 m · 6 sec
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15
Turn right onto West 6th Street
2578 ft · 1 min · West 6th Street
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16
Turn right onto South Jefferson Street
14 m · 1 sec · South Jefferson Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Jefferson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Kearney.
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.
MO 291 North
Merge slight left
8.29 mi · 00h 12m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Independence and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Kearney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Independence to Kearney?
The road trip is about 21.7 miles (34.9 km) and usually takes 00h 35m 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?
Liberty is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.8 miles from Independence and 10.8 miles from Kearney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 19.3 miles (31.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:20 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.87 one way or $5.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Independence and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Kearney.
Stop Ideas Near Liberty
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Excelsior Springs City Hall And Hall Of Waters
Kansas City Music Hall
Overlook at Quality Hill
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Liberty.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Kearney. Straight-line distance: 19.32 mi (31.1 km).
#1 Independence
A city in Jackson County, Missouri.
| Population | 116,774 |
| Coordinates | 39.0911200, -94.4155100 |
| Altitude | 315 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Kearney
City in Clay County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 11,155 |
| Coordinates | 39.3677800, -94.3621700 |
| Altitude | 261 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kearney (-94.36217, 39.36778)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 35 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.87 | $5.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.23 | $6.46 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.54 | $7.07 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $4.03 | $8.06 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.