How far is Independence, MO from Wellston, MO?

The driving distance from Independence, MO to Wellston, MO is about 234.9 miles (378 km), with a travel time of about 04h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 223.3 miles (359.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
234.85 mi
04h 33m
Flight
223.25 mi
359.29 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Independence.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
223.25 mi
Kilometers
359.29 km
Flight Time
00h 26m

Driving Distance

Road route
234.85 mi
Kilometers
377.96 km
Drive Time
04h 33m

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 04h 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Wellston
Sun, Apr 19, 11:07 AM CDT
Return by in Independence
Sun, Apr 19, 3:40 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Independence
2026-04-19T06:34
Arrive Wellston
Sun, Apr 19, 11:07 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:33 AM to 12:33 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:54 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Independence
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Columbia
MO

The most populous city in the state of Missouri.

From Independence
117.2 mi
02h 16m
To Wellston
117.7 mi
02h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 mph WNW
Destination
64°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Independence and Wellston.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Wellston.

  1. 1

    Start on East Kansas Avenue

    44 m · 8 sec · East Kansas Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Lynn Street

    120 m · 23 sec · South Lynn Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Walnut Street

    142 m · 25 sec · East Walnut Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto South Noland Road

    3.1 mi · 5 min · South Noland Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto I 70 East: Columbia, Saint Louis

    1089 ft · 27 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    52.5 mi · 57 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

    32 mi · 34 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

    22.4 mi · 24 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    109.4 mi · 2 hr 10 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I 170 South: Clayton

    1906 ft · 41 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Inner Belt Expressway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Inner Belt Expressway

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward MO 180: Saint Charles Rock Road

    755 ft · 16 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on MO 180: Saint Charles Rock Road

    130 m · 11 sec

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Saint Charles Rock Road

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Saint Charles Rock Road

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue

    1.4 km · 2 min · Pennsylvania Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Page Avenue

    1.4 km · 2 min · Page Avenue

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Page Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Wellston.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
22 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
164 mi · 70%
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 23%
South Noland Road
3.07 mi · 1%
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.64 mi · 1%
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.94 mi · 1%
Saint Charles Rock Road
1.84 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

109 mi · 02h 11m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 33m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.6 mi
223.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Columbia
02h 16m from Independence
Leave By
7:54 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Independence and Sunny near Wellston.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Independence to Wellston?

The road trip is about 234.9 miles (378 km) and usually takes 04h 33m 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?

Columbia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 117.2 miles from Independence and 117.7 miles from Wellston.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 223.3 miles (359.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.6 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 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:54 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.26 one way or $62.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Independence and Sunny near Wellston.

Stop Ideas Near Columbia

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Columbia, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Columbia.

RAIL

Jefferson City

44 mi away
101 Jefferson Street
RAIL

Sedalia

82 mi away
100 block of Main Street, through parking lot
RAIL

Hermann

83 mi away
Wharf & Gutenberg Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Wellston. Straight-line distance: 223.25 mi (359.29 km).

Independence

#1 Independence

A city in Jackson County, Missouri.

Population116,774
Coordinates39.0911200, -94.4155100
Altitude315
CountryUnited States
Wellston

#2 Wellston

City in Saint Louis County, Missouri, United States

Population2,279
Coordinates38.6728300, -90.2992800
Altitude158
CountryUnited States
Start: Independence (-94.41551, 39.09112)
End: Wellston (-90.29928, 38.67283)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 378 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 49m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 41m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 54m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 21m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.29 gal
31.37 L · about $31.26
Round trip
$62.52
16.58 gal · 62.74 L
Estimated CO2
73.7 kg one way
Round trip: 147.3 kg / 325 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $31.26 $62.52
Mid-grade $4.25 $35.26 $70.51
Premium $4.65 $38.58 $77.16
Diesel $5.30 $43.97 $87.94

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Independence and Wellston. The current time is 06:34:36.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.