How far is Independence, MO from Thayer, MO?
The driving distance from Independence, MO to Thayer, MO is about 306.5 miles (493.2 km), with a travel time of about 06h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 236.9 miles (381.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 08m 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 06h 04m.
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 Polk County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Independence and Thayer.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Thayer.
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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 right to continue on US 63 South: West Plains, Thayer
43.8 mi · 55 min
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24
Take the exit slight right
63 m · 7 sec
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25
Turn straight onto West Walnut Street
788 ft · 24 sec · West Walnut Street
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26
Turn right onto Front Street
133 m · 19 sec · Front Street
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27
Turn sharp right
23 m · 3 sec
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Thayer.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
US 60 East
Merge slight left
82.2 mi · 01h 36m
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 Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms near Thayer.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Independence to Thayer?
The road trip is about 306.5 miles (493.2 km) and usually takes 06h 04m 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?
Pleasant Hope is a useful midpoint, sitting about 153.2 miles from Independence and 153.2 miles from Thayer.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 236.9 miles (381.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 69.6 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 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 $40.76 one way or $81.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 96.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Independence and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms near Thayer.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Thayer. Straight-line distance: 236.87 mi (381.2 km).
#1 Independence
A city in Jackson County, Missouri.
| Population | 116,774 |
| Coordinates | 39.0911200, -94.4155100 |
| Altitude | 315 |
| Country | United States |
End: Thayer (-91.5382, 36.52451)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 493 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $40.76 | $81.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $45.97 | $91.95 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $50.31 | $100.62 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $57.34 | $114.67 |
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 · May 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.