How far is Independence, MO from Poplar Bluff, MO?
The driving distance from Independence, MO to Poplar Bluff, MO is about 361.6 miles (581.9 km), with a travel time of about 07h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 272.1 miles (437.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 14h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 07h 07m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
City in Christian County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Independence and Poplar Bluff.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Poplar Bluff.
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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 mi · 5 min · South Noland Road
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 70 West: Kansas City
766 ft · 19 sec
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6
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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7
Continue on George Brett Super Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · George Brett Super Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 435 South: Wichita
1955 ft · 48 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
8.3 mi · 10 min · Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
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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
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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
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
1594 ft · 39 sec
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13
Merge slight left
26 mi · 29 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward MO 7 South: Clinton
924 ft · 20 sec
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15
Turn slight left onto MO 7 South: Clinton
55.5 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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16
Continue straight
68 mi · 1 hr 19 min
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17
Take the exit slight left toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis
954 ft · 23 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Payne Stewart Highway
4.3 mi · 5 min · Payne Stewart Highway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward US 65 South: Branson
2343 ft · 50 sec
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20
Merge slight left onto Schoolcraft Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · Schoolcraft Freeway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward US 60 East: Cabool
1228 ft · 53 sec
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22
Merge slight left
82.2 mi · 1 hr 36 min
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23
Keep slight left to continue on US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff
90.4 mi · 1 hr 47 min
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24
Keep slight right
4.8 mi · 6 min
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25
Turn straight onto North Westwood Boulevard
1.6 mi · 3 min · North Westwood Boulevard
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26
Continue on State Street
1396 ft · 26 sec · State Street
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27
Continue on North Westwood Boulevard
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Westwood Boulevard
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28
Turn left onto West Pine Street
1.4 km · 1 min · West Pine Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Pine Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Poplar Bluff.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
US 60 East
Keep slight left to continue on US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff
90.4 mi · 01h 47m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Independence and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Poplar Bluff.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Independence to Poplar Bluff?
The road trip is about 361.6 miles (581.9 km) and usually takes 07h 07m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Fremont Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 180.7 miles from Independence and 180.9 miles from Poplar Bluff.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 272.1 miles (437.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 89.5 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $48.12 one way or $96.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 113.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Independence and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Poplar Bluff.
Stop Ideas Near Fremont Hills
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Historic City Hall
Nixa City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Fremont Hills.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Poplar Bluff. Straight-line distance: 272.12 mi (437.94 km).
#1 Independence
A city in Jackson County, Missouri.
| Population | 116,774 |
| Coordinates | 39.0911200, -94.4155100 |
| Altitude | 315 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Poplar Bluff
City in Butler County in Southeast Missouri, United States
| Population | 16,807 |
| Coordinates | 36.7570000, -90.3928900 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| Country | United States |
End: Poplar Bluff (-90.39289, 36.757)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 582 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $48.12 | $96.24 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $54.27 | $108.54 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $59.39 | $118.77 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $67.68 | $135.36 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.