How far is Independence, MO from Lebanon, MO?

The driving distance from Independence, MO to Lebanon, MO is about 179.5 miles (288.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 136 miles (218.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
179.49 mi
03h 46m
Flight
136.01 mi
218.88 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Independence.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
136.01 mi
Kilometers
218.88 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
179.49 mi
Kilometers
288.86 km
Drive Time
03h 46m

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 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lebanon
Wed, Apr 15, 7:15 PM CDT
Return by in Independence
Wed, Apr 15, 11:02 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Independence
2026-04-15T15:28
Arrive Lebanon
Wed, Apr 15, 7:15 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:47 AM to 11:47 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:26 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Independence
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Coal
MO

Unincorporated community in Missouri

From Independence
89.7 mi
01h 53m
To Lebanon
89.8 mi
01h 53m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
65°F
Overnight

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 to 16 mph SSW
Destination
77°F
Today

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 8:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 18 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Kansas Avenue

    44 m · 8 sec · East Kansas Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Lynn Street

    120 m · 23 sec · South Lynn Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Walnut Street

    142 m · 25 sec · East Walnut Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto South Noland Road

    3 mi · 5 min · South Noland Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 70 West: Kansas City

    766 ft · 19 sec

  6. 6

    Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on George Brett Super Highway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · George Brett Super Highway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 435 South: Wichita

    1955 ft · 48 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway

    8.3 mi · 10 min · Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 49 South, US 71 South, I 470 East, US 50 East: Joplin, Lee's Summit

    1.1 km · 46 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 49, I 470, US 50 East, US 71 South: Joplin, Lee's Summit

    749 ft · 13 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin

    1594 ft · 39 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    26 mi · 29 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 7 South: Clinton

    924 ft · 20 sec

  15. 15

    Turn slight left onto MO 7 South: Clinton

    39.2 mi · 45 min

  16. 16

    Turn left onto East Ohio Street

    1 km · 1 min · East Ohio Street

  17. 17

    Continue on East Division Road

    27.6 mi · 37 min · East Division Road

  18. 18

    Take the ramp right toward MO 7 South, MO 65 South: Springfield

    7.3 mi · 9 min

  19. 19

    Continue straight

    31.5 mi · 41 min

  20. 20

    Turn left

    29.9 mi · 42 min

  21. 21

    Turn left onto East Commercial Street

    5 m · 1 sec · East Commercial Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Commercial Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
22 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
MO 7 South
78.2 mi · 44%
East Division Road
27.6 mi · 15%
I 49 South
27 mi · 15%
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
8.3 mi · 5%
South Noland Road
3.01 mi · 2%
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.9 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

MO 7 South

Turn slight left onto MO 7 South: Clinton

39.2 mi · 00h 45m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 46m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+43.5 mi
136 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Coal
01h 53m from Independence
Leave By
9:26 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Independence and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Lebanon.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 179.5 miles (288.9 km) and usually takes 03h 46m 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?

Coal is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.7 miles from Independence and 89.8 miles from Lebanon.

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

The direct path is about 136 miles (218.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.5 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 9:26 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.87 one way or $47.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Coal

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Coal, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Coal.

RAIL

Warrensburg

50 mi away
100 South Holden St.
RAIL

Sedalia

55 mi away
100 block of Main Street, through parking lot
RAIL

Lee's Summit

93 mi away
217 SW Main St.
RAIL

Independence

110 mi away
600 South Grand Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Lebanon. Straight-line distance: 136.01 mi (218.88 km).

Independence

#1 Independence

A city in Jackson County, Missouri.

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

#2 Lebanon

City in Laclede County, Missouri, United States

Population14,881
Coordinates37.6806000, -92.6637900
Altitude384
CountryUnited States
Start: Independence (-94.41551, 39.09112)
End: Lebanon (-92.66379, 37.6806)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 289 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 58m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.33 gal
23.98 L · about $23.87
Round trip
$47.74
12.66 gal · 47.96 L
Estimated CO2
56.3 kg one way
Round trip: 112.5 kg / 248 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.87 $47.74
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.92 $53.84
Premium $4.65 $29.46 $58.92
Diesel $5.30 $33.57 $67.15

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Independence and Lebanon. The current time is 15:28:07.

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.