How far is Independence, MO from Lawson, MO?

The driving distance from Independence, MO to Lawson, MO is about 31.4 miles (50.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 26.5 miles (42.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
31.39 mi
00h 50m
Flight
26.52 mi
42.68 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Independence.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
26.52 mi
Kilometers
42.68 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
31.39 mi
Kilometers
50.51 km
Drive Time
00h 50m

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 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lawson
Thu, Apr 23, 9:58 AM CDT
Return by in Independence
Thu, Apr 23, 10:49 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Independence
2026-04-23T09:07
Arrive Lawson
Thu, Apr 23, 9:58 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:51 AM to 10:51 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:48 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Independence
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Missouri City
MO

City in Missouri, United States

From Independence
15.7 mi
00h 25m
To Lawson
15.7 mi
00h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 21 mph S
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 18 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Independence and Lawson.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Lawson.

  1. 1

    Start on East Kansas Avenue

    44 m · 12 sec · East Kansas Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Lynn Street

    124 m · 20 sec · South Lynn Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East Lexington Avenue

    835 ft · 28 sec · East Lexington Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto North Noland Road

    1 km · 2 min · North Noland Road

  5. 5

    Turn right onto West US Highway 24

    2.1 mi · 5 min · West US Highway 24

  6. 6

    Turn left onto MO 291 North: Liberty

    961 ft · 29 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    4.5 mi · 6 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 210: North Kansas City, Richmond

    975 ft · 21 sec

  9. 9

    Turn right

    7.6 mi · 10 min

  10. 10

    Turn left

    4.1 mi · 6 min

  11. 11

    Turn right

    1.7 mi · 3 min

  12. 12

    Turn left onto McCleary Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · McCleary Road

  13. 13

    Turn right

    47 m · 4 sec

  14. 14

    Turn straight

    7 mi · 11 min

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Northeast 184th Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · Northeast 184th Street

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto Salem Road

    1.2 km · 2 min · Salem Road

  17. 17

    At the end of the road, turn right onto West Moss Street

    1851 ft · 56 sec · West Moss Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto South Pennsylvania Avenue

    1492 ft · 43 sec · South Pennsylvania Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right onto East 4th Street

    14 m · 2 sec · East 4th Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East 4th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Lawson.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
20 steps
16 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
63.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
MO 291 North
4.64 mi · 15%
West US Highway 24
2.12 mi · 7%
McCleary Road
0.88 mi · 3%
Salem Road
0.77 mi · 2%
Northeast 184th Street
0.76 mi · 2%
North Noland Road
0.65 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn right

7.61 mi · 00h 10m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.9 mi
26.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Missouri City
00h 25m from Independence
Leave By
4:48 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Independence and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Lawson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Independence to Lawson?

The road trip is about 31.4 miles (50.5 km) and usually takes 00h 50m 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?

Missouri City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.7 miles from Independence and 15.7 miles from Lawson.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 26.5 miles (42.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:48 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.19 one way or $8.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Independence and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Lawson.

Stop Ideas Near Missouri City

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Missouri City and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 12.8 mi away

Indepence Maintenance Dept

Independence , MO
320 W Lexington Ave, Independence, MO 64050
Rating 4.3/5 8 reviews Park
Independence City Hall
Meeting point 12.9 mi away

Independence City Hall

Independence , MO
111 E Maple Ave, Independence, MO 64050
Rating 2.8/5 24 reviews City government office,City clerk's office,City Hall,Government
Independence Municipal Court
Nearby stop 12.9 mi away

Independence Municipal Court

Independence , MO
111 E Maple Ave, Independence, MO 64050
Rating 2.1/5 43 reviews City courthouse

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Missouri City.

RAIL

Independence

21 mi away
600 South Grand Ave.
RAIL

Union Station

31 mi away
30 West Pershing Rd.
RAIL

Lee's Summit

37 mi away
217 SW Main St.
RAIL

Warrensburg

71 mi away
100 South Holden St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Lawson. Straight-line distance: 26.52 mi (42.68 km).

Independence

#1 Independence

A city in Jackson County, Missouri.

Population116,774
Coordinates39.0911200, -94.4155100
Altitude315
CountryUnited States
Lawson

#2 Lawson

City in Ray County, Missouri, United States

Population2,402
Coordinates39.4383400, -94.2041100
Altitude325
CountryUnited States
Start: Independence (-94.41551, 39.09112)
End: Lawson (-94.20411, 39.43834)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 51 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.11 gal
4.19 L · about $4.19
Round trip
$8.37
2.22 gal · 8.38 L
Estimated CO2
9.9 kg one way
Round trip: 19.7 kg / 43 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $4.19 $8.37
Mid-grade $4.25 $4.72 $9.44
Premium $4.65 $5.17 $10.33
Diesel $5.30 $5.89 $11.77

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Independence and Lawson. The current time is 09:07:29.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.