How far is Independence, MO from Mexico, MO?

The driving distance from Independence, MO to Mexico, MO is about 156.2 miles (251.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 135.8 miles (218.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 58m 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
156.24 mi
02h 59m
Flight
135.84 mi
218.61 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
135.84 mi
Kilometers
218.61 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
156.24 mi
Kilometers
251.44 km
Drive Time
02h 59m

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 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Mexico
Thu, Apr 16, 3:17 AM CDT
Return by in Independence
Thu, Apr 16, 6:16 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Independence
2026-04-16T00:18
Arrive Mexico
Thu, Apr 16, 3:17 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:59 AM to 12:59 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:32 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

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
Nelson
MO

City in Saline County, Missouri, United States

From Independence
78 mi
01h 29m
To Mexico
78.3 mi
01h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph SW
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Isolated Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    52.5 mi · 57 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

    32 mi · 34 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

    22.4 mi · 24 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    18.6 mi · 24 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward US 54: Auxvasse, Mexico, Fulton

    1188 ft · 28 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left

    13.4 mi · 15 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward US 54 Business, MO 15, MO 22: Mexico

    1135 ft · 34 sec

  18. 18

    Turn left

    3.8 mi · 6 min

  19. 19

    Turn right onto High Street

    677 ft · 33 sec · High Street

  20. 20

    At the end of the road, turn left onto South Jefferson Street

    51 m · 7 sec · South Jefferson Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Jefferson Street

Car Route Details

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

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
21 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
72.9 mi · 47%
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 35%
South Noland Road
3.07 mi · 2%
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.64 mi · 2%
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.94 mi · 1%
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial High
1.58 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

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 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.4 mi
135.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Nelson
01h 29m from Independence
Leave By
12:32 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Independence and Isolated Rain Showers near Mexico.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 156.2 miles (251.4 km) and usually takes 02h 59m 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?

Nelson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78 miles from Independence and 78.3 miles from Mexico.

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

The direct path is about 135.8 miles (218.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.4 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 12:32 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.78 one way or $41.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Independence and Isolated Rain Showers near Mexico.

Stop Ideas Near Nelson

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

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

RAIL

Sedalia

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

Warrensburg

66 mi away
100 South Holden St.
RAIL

Jefferson City

88 mi away
101 Jefferson Street
RAIL

Lee's Summit

117 mi away
217 SW Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Mexico. Straight-line distance: 135.84 mi (218.61 km).

Independence

#1 Independence

A city in Jackson County, Missouri.

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

#2 Mexico

City in and county seat of Audrain County, Missouri

Population11,530
Coordinates39.1697600, -91.8829500
Altitude244
CountryUnited States
Start: Independence (-94.41551, 39.09112)
End: Mexico (-91.88295, 39.16976)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 251 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 56m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.51 gal
20.87 L · about $20.78
Round trip
$41.56
11.02 gal · 41.74 L
Estimated CO2
49 kg one way
Round trip: 97.9 kg / 216 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.78 $41.56
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.43 $46.87
Premium $4.65 $25.64 $51.29
Diesel $5.30 $29.23 $58.45

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Independence and Mexico. The current time is 00:18:36.

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.