How far is Independence, MO from Wardsville, MO?
The driving distance from Independence, MO to Wardsville, MO is about 156.3 miles (251.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 127.7 miles (205.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 55m 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 57m.
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 Saline County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Independence and Wardsville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Wardsville.
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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
3.8 mi · 5 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward MO C
946 ft · 32 sec
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21
Turn left onto Southwest Boulevard
136 m · 15 sec · Southwest Boulevard
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22
Continue on Ellis Boulevard
970 ft · 29 sec · Ellis Boulevard
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23
Turn right onto Lorenzo Green Drive
1.3 mi · 2 min · Lorenzo Green Drive
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24
Turn left
3.5 mi · 6 min
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25
Keep slight left
59 m · 12 sec
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26
Turn left
104 m · 7 sec
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Wardsville.
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.
Sunny leaving Independence and Clear near Wardsville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Independence to Wardsville?
The road trip is about 156.3 miles (251.6 km) and usually takes 02h 57m 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?
Nelson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78 miles from Independence and 78.3 miles from Wardsville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 127.7 miles (205.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:34 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.82 one way or $41.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Independence and Clear near Wardsville.
Stop Ideas Near Nelson
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 Nelson.
Sedalia
Warrensburg
Jefferson City
Lee's Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Wardsville. Straight-line distance: 127.66 mi (205.45 km).
#1 Independence
A city in Jackson County, Missouri.
| Population | 116,774 |
| Coordinates | 39.0911200, -94.4155100 |
| Altitude | 315 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Wardsville
Human settlement in Cole County, Missouri, United States of America
| Population | 1,570 |
| Coordinates | 38.4889200, -92.1743500 |
| Altitude | 238 |
| Country | United States |
End: Wardsville (-92.17435, 38.48892)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 252 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.82 | $41.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.48 | $46.95 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.69 | $51.38 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.28 | $58.56 |
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 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.