How far is Independence, MO from Lake Lotawana, MO?
The driving distance from Independence, MO to Lake Lotawana, MO is about 20.4 miles (32.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 14.8 miles (23.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 14m 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 37m.
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.
Human settlement in Jackson County, Missouri, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Independence and Lake Lotawana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Lake Lotawana.
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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
3.1 mi · 5 min · South Noland Road
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5
Turn left onto I 70 East: Columbia, Saint Louis
1089 ft · 27 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
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7
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
1.3 km · 56 sec · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
2820 ft · 48 sec
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9
Merge slight left
4.7 mi · 6 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Strother Road
1086 ft · 27 sec
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11
Turn left onto Northeast Strother Road
2323 ft · 1 min · Northeast Strother Road
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12
At the end of the road, turn right onto Northeast Todd George Parkway
1.6 mi · 3 min · Northeast Todd George Parkway
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13
Turn left onto Northeast Colbern Road
4.7 mi · 8 min · Northeast Colbern Road
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14
Continue on East Colbern Road
3155 ft · 1 min · East Colbern Road
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15
Turn right onto South Lake Shore Drive
1241 ft · 55 sec · South Lake Shore Drive
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16
Continue on Z Street
1.1 mi · 4 min · Z Street
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17
Continue on Y Street
1903 ft · 1 min · Y Street
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18
Continue on X Street
970 ft · 43 sec · X Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · X Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Lake Lotawana.
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.
Northeast Colbern Road
Turn left onto Northeast Colbern Road
4.67 mi · 00h 08m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Independence and Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Lake Lotawana.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Independence to Lake Lotawana?
The road trip is about 20.4 miles (32.8 km) and usually takes 00h 37m 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?
Unity Village is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.2 miles from Independence and 10.2 miles from Lake Lotawana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 14.8 miles (23.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.6 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 7:16 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.72 one way or $5.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Independence and Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Lake Lotawana.
Stop Ideas Near Unity Village
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Vesper Hall
Country Club Plaza
Observation Deck at City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Unity Village.
Lee's Summit
Independence
Union Station
Warrensburg
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Lake Lotawana. Straight-line distance: 14.81 mi (23.84 km).
#1 Independence
A city in Jackson County, Missouri.
| Population | 116,774 |
| Coordinates | 39.0911200, -94.4155100 |
| Altitude | 315 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lake Lotawana
City in Jackson County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 2,131 |
| Coordinates | 38.9230600, -94.2441100 |
| Altitude | 274 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Lotawana (-94.24411, 38.92306)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 33 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.72 | $5.43 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.06 | $6.12 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.35 | $6.70 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $3.82 | $7.64 |
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.