How far is Independence, MO from Licking, MO?
The driving distance from Independence, MO to Licking, MO is about 243.3 miles (391.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 177 miles (284.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 37m 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 04h 48m.
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.
The most populous city in the state of Missouri.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Independence and Licking.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Licking.
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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
32 mi · 34 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
22.4 mi · 24 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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11
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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12
Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
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13
Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Jefferson City, Moberly
748 ft · 16 sec
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15
Turn slight right onto US 63 South: Jefferson City
59 m · 4 sec
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16
Merge slight left
159 m · 12 sec
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17
Take the exit straight toward US 63 South: Jefferson City
2329 ft · 50 sec
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18
Merge slight left
27.1 mi · 29 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward US 54 West, US 63 South: Jefferson City
1.5 mi · 2 min
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward US 63 South, US 50
66 m · 5 sec
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21
Keep slight left to continue on US 63 South, US 50
724 ft · 16 sec
-
22
Keep slight left to continue on US 63 South, US 50 East
547 ft · 15 sec
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23
Keep slight left
12 mi · 15 min
-
24
Keep slight right to continue on US 63 South: Rolla
32.6 mi · 43 min
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25
Turn right
7.5 mi · 10 min
-
26
Turn straight
7.5 mi · 11 min
-
27
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Tim Bradley Way
19 m · 1 sec · Tim Bradley Way
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28
Exit the roundabout onto Tim Bradley Way
2010 ft · 49 sec · Tim Bradley Way
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29
Turn slight right onto North Bishop Avenue
9 m · 1 sec · North Bishop Avenue
-
30
Keep slight right to continue on North Bishop Avenue
44 m · 3 sec · North Bishop Avenue
-
31
Continue on North Bishop Avenue
33.8 mi · 42 min · North Bishop Avenue
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32
Turn left
1705 ft · 39 sec
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33
Turn left onto North Main Street
21 m · 3 sec · North Main Street
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Licking.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Independence and Mostly Sunny near Licking.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Independence to Licking?
The road trip is about 243.3 miles (391.5 km) and usually takes 04h 48m 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?
Columbia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.5 miles from Independence and 121.7 miles from Licking.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 177 miles (284.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 66.3 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 7:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.36 one way or $64.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Independence and Mostly Sunny near Licking.
Stop Ideas Near Columbia
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 Columbia.
Jefferson City
Sedalia
Hermann
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Licking. Straight-line distance: 177.02 mi (284.88 km).
#1 Independence
A city in Jackson County, Missouri.
| Population | 116,774 |
| Coordinates | 39.0911200, -94.4155100 |
| Altitude | 315 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Licking
City in Texas County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 2,872 |
| Coordinates | 37.4994900, -91.8571000 |
| Altitude | 385 |
| Country | United States |
End: Licking (-91.8571, 37.49949)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 392 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.36 | $64.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.49 | $72.98 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $39.93 | $79.86 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.51 | $91.02 |
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 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.