How far is Independence, MO from Lake Ozark, MO?
The driving distance from Independence, MO to Lake Ozark, MO is about 153.6 miles (247.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 114 miles (183.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 11m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Township in Pettis County, Missouri
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 Lake Ozark.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Lake Ozark.
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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
2.6 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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8
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
52.5 mi · 57 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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9
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
8.5 mi · 9 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 65 South: Sedalia
1895 ft · 46 sec
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11
Merge slight left
15.9 mi · 18 min
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12
Turn slight left onto MO 765
706 ft · 14 sec · MO 765
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13
Continue straight
799 ft · 16 sec
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14
Turn straight onto North Ohio Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · North Ohio Avenue
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15
Turn left onto East Pettis Street
2233 ft · 1 min · East Pettis Street
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16
Continue on West Saline Street
1764 ft · 50 sec · West Saline Street
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17
Turn right onto North Engineer Avenue
2756 ft · 1 min · North Engineer Avenue
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18
Turn left onto East Broadway Boulevard
24.3 mi · 33 min · East Broadway Boulevard
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19
Turn right
14.5 mi · 19 min
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20
At the end of the road, turn left
15 mi · 19 min
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21
Turn right onto South Grand Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · South Grand Avenue
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22
Turn slight left onto West 17th Street
530 ft · 19 sec · West 17th Street
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23
Turn right
2.2 mi · 4 min
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24
Take the ramp right toward US 54 West: Lake of the Ozarks
1048 ft · 26 sec
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25
Merge slight left
7.3 mi · 8 min
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26
Take the exit slight right toward US 54 Business
883 ft · 26 sec
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27
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Bagnell Dam Boulevard
35 m · 2 sec · Bagnell Dam Boulevard
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28
Exit the rotary onto Bagnell Dam Boulevard
550 ft · 14 sec · Bagnell Dam Boulevard
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29
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Bagnell Dam Boulevard
36 m · 2 sec · Bagnell Dam Boulevard
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30
Exit the roundabout onto Bagnell Dam Boulevard
1.6 mi · 4 min · Bagnell Dam Boulevard
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Bagnell Dam Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Lake Ozark.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Independence and Sunny near Lake Ozark.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Independence to Lake Ozark?
The road trip is about 153.6 miles (247.2 km) and usually takes 03h 11m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Hughesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.7 miles from Independence and 76.9 miles from Lake Ozark.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 114 miles (183.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.44 one way or $40.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Independence and Sunny near Lake Ozark.
Stop Ideas Near Hughesville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hughesville.
Sedalia
Warrensburg
Lee's Summit
Independence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Lake Ozark. Straight-line distance: 113.99 mi (183.45 km).
#1 Independence
A city in Jackson County, Missouri.
| Population | 116,774 |
| Coordinates | 39.0911200, -94.4155100 |
| Altitude | 315 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lake Ozark
City in Miller County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 1,853 |
| Coordinates | 38.1986400, -92.6388000 |
| Altitude | 229 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Ozark (-92.6388, 38.19864)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 247 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.44 | $40.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.05 | $46.10 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.22 | $50.45 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $28.75 | $57.50 |
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.