How far is Independence, MO from Lincoln, MO?

The driving distance from Independence, MO to Lincoln, MO is about 105.3 miles (169.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 75.7 miles (121.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 17m 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
105.27 mi
02h 08m
Flight
75.72 mi
121.86 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
75.72 mi
Kilometers
121.86 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
105.27 mi
Kilometers
169.42 km
Drive Time
02h 08m

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 02h 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lincoln
Thu, Apr 23, 11:17 AM CDT
Return by in Independence
Thu, Apr 23, 1:25 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Independence
2026-04-23T09:08
Arrive Lincoln
Thu, Apr 23, 11:17 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:09 AM to 12:09 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:12 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
Warrensburg
MO

City in Missouri

From Independence
52.6 mi
01h 04m
To Lincoln
52.7 mi
01h 04m

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
77°F
Thursday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    3.1 mi · 5 min · South Noland Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto I 70 East: Columbia, Saint Louis

    1089 ft · 27 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    32.3 mi · 35 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 13: Higginsville, Warrensburg

    853 ft · 24 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right

    12.1 mi · 15 min

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route

    63 m · 3 sec

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout

    5.1 mi · 6 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on US 50 East: Sedalia, Jefferson City

    1733 ft · 46 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    24.5 mi · 30 min

  15. 15

    Turn right onto South Limit Avenue

    22.8 mi · 29 min · South Limit Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1595 ft · 37 sec · Main Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Ohio Street

    9 m · 1 sec · Ohio Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Ohio Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
32.3 mi · 31%
US 50 East
24.9 mi · 24%
South Limit Avenue
22.8 mi · 22%
MO 13
5.25 mi · 5%
South Noland Road
3.07 mi · 3%
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.64 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

32.3 mi · 00h 35m

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
02h 08m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29.6 mi
75.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Warrensburg
01h 04m from Independence
Leave By
2:12 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 105.3 miles (169.4 km) and usually takes 02h 08m 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?

Warrensburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.6 miles from Independence and 52.7 miles from Lincoln.

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

The direct path is about 75.7 miles (121.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.99 one way or $27.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Warrensburg

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Warrensburg, 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 Warrensburg.

RAIL

Warrensburg

100 South Holden St.
RAIL

Sedalia

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

Lee's Summit

58 mi away
217 SW Main St.
RAIL

Independence

70 mi away
600 South Grand Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Lincoln. Straight-line distance: 75.72 mi (121.86 km).

Independence

#1 Independence

A city in Jackson County, Missouri.

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

#2 Lincoln

City in Benton County, Missouri, United States

Population1,197
Coordinates38.3908600, -93.3346500
Altitude293
CountryUnited States
Start: Independence (-94.41551, 39.09112)
End: Lincoln (-93.33465, 38.39086)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 169 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.71 gal
14.06 L · about $13.99
Round trip
$27.98
7.42 gal · 28.12 L
Estimated CO2
33 kg one way
Round trip: 65.9 kg / 145 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.99 $27.98
Mid-grade $4.25 $15.78 $31.56
Premium $4.65 $17.27 $34.53
Diesel $5.30 $19.68 $39.36

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 Lincoln. The current time is 09:08:33.

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.