How far is Independence, MO from Sparta, MO?
The driving distance from Independence, MO to Sparta, MO is about 196.7 miles (316.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 161.6 miles (260.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 48m 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 03h 54m.
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.
City in Saint Clair County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Independence and Sparta.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Sparta.
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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
10.7 mi · 13 min · Schoolcraft Freeway
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21
Continue on American Legion Memorial Highway
5.9 mi · 7 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward US 65 Business, MO F: Sparta
994 ft · 33 sec
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23
Turn left
1.4 mi · 2 min
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24
Continue on East South Street
6.1 mi · 9 min · East South Street
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25
Continue on Main Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Main Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Sparta.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
MO 7 South
Continue straight
68 mi · 01h 19m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Independence and Partly Sunny near Sparta.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Independence to Sparta?
The road trip is about 196.7 miles (316.6 km) and usually takes 03h 54m 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?
Lowry City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.4 miles from Independence and 98.4 miles from Sparta.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 161.6 miles (260.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.1 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 9:12 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.17 one way or $52.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Independence and Partly Sunny near Sparta.
Stop Ideas Near Lowry City
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 Lowry City.
Warrensburg
Sedalia
Lee's Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Sparta. Straight-line distance: 161.61 mi (260.09 km).
#1 Independence
A city in Jackson County, Missouri.
| Population | 116,774 |
| Coordinates | 39.0911200, -94.4155100 |
| Altitude | 315 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sparta
City in Christian County, Missouri
| Population | 1,792 |
| Coordinates | 37.0011600, -93.0815700 |
| Altitude | 428 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sparta (-93.08157, 37.00116)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 317 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.17 | $52.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.52 | $59.03 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.30 | $64.60 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.81 | $73.62 |
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.