How far is Independence, MO from Taos, MO?
The driving distance from Independence, MO to Taos, MO is about 159.4 miles (256.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 132.5 miles (213.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 59m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Cooper 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 Taos.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Taos.
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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
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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
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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
8.6 mi · 11 min
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward MO J, MO M: Osage City, Taos
1569 ft · 44 sec
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25
Turn right
1.4 mi · 2 min
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Taos.
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 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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Independence and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Taos.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Independence to Taos?
The road trip is about 159.4 miles (256.5 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?
Blackwater is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.5 miles from Independence and 79.8 miles from Taos.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 132.5 miles (213.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.9 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 12:30 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.19 one way or $42.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.9 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 Taos.
Stop Ideas Near Blackwater
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 Blackwater.
Sedalia
Warrensburg
Jefferson City
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Taos. Straight-line distance: 132.55 mi (213.32 km).
#1 Independence
A city in Jackson County, Missouri.
| Population | 116,774 |
| Coordinates | 39.0911200, -94.4155100 |
| Altitude | 315 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Taos
City in Cole County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 1,134 |
| Coordinates | 38.5064300, -92.0710100 |
| Altitude | 222 |
| Country | United States |
End: Taos (-92.07101, 38.50643)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 256 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.19 | $42.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.90 | $47.80 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.16 | $52.31 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.81 | $59.62 |
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.