How far is Independence, MO from Vandalia, MO?
The driving distance from Independence, MO to Vandalia, MO is about 184.2 miles (296.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 157.5 miles (253.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 08m 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 34m.
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 Cooper County, Missouri, USA
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 Vandalia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Vandalia.
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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
1.9 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
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14
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
18.6 mi · 24 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 54: Auxvasse, Mexico, Fulton
1188 ft · 28 sec
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16
Turn left
18.1 mi · 20 min
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17
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Liberty Street
10.3 mi · 13 min · East Liberty Street
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Scott's Corner
68 m · 3 sec
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19
Exit the rotary
8.1 mi · 11 min
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
15 m · 1 sec
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21
Exit the roundabout
8.9 mi · 13 min
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22
Turn left onto North Main Street
15 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Vandalia.
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 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 Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Vandalia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Independence to Vandalia?
The road trip is about 184.2 miles (296.5 km) and usually takes 03h 34m 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?
Boonville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92 miles from Independence and 92.3 miles from Vandalia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 157.5 miles (253.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.7 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 9:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.51 one way or $49.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.8 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 Vandalia.
Stop Ideas Near Boonville
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 Boonville.
Sedalia
Jefferson City
Warrensburg
Hermann
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Vandalia. Straight-line distance: 157.45 mi (253.39 km).
#1 Independence
A city in Jackson County, Missouri.
| Population | 116,774 |
| Coordinates | 39.0911200, -94.4155100 |
| Altitude | 315 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Vandalia
City in Audrain and Ralls Counties, Missouri, USA
| Population | 3,496 |
| Coordinates | 39.3108700, -91.4884900 |
| Altitude | 232 |
| Country | United States |
End: Vandalia (-91.48849, 39.31087)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 296 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.51 | $49.02 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.64 | $55.29 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.25 | $60.50 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.48 | $68.95 |
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.