How far is Independence, MO from Willard, MO?
The driving distance from Independence, MO to Willard, MO is about 167 miles (268.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 134.5 miles (216.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 42m 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 21m.
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 Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Independence and Willard.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Willard.
-
1
Start on East Kansas Avenue
44 m · 8 sec · East Kansas Avenue
-
2
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
120 m · 23 sec · South Lynn Street
-
3
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
142 m · 25 sec · East Walnut Street
-
4
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3 mi · 5 min · South Noland Road
-
5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 70 West: Kansas City
766 ft · 19 sec
-
6
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
-
7
Continue on George Brett Super Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · George Brett Super Highway
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 435 South: Wichita
1955 ft · 48 sec
-
9
Merge slight left onto Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
8.3 mi · 10 min · Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
-
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
-
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
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
1594 ft · 39 sec
-
13
Merge slight left
26 mi · 29 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward MO 7 South: Clinton
924 ft · 20 sec
-
15
Turn slight left onto MO 7 South: Clinton
55.5 mi · 1 hr 4 min
-
16
Continue straight
57 mi · 1 hr 6 min
-
17
Turn right
4.5 mi · 10 min
-
18
At the end of the road, turn left
6.4 mi · 9 min
-
19
Turn left onto West Jackson Street
1725 ft · 49 sec · West Jackson Street
-
20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence and Willard.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
MO 7 South
Continue straight
57 mi · 01h 06m
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.
Mostly Clear leaving Independence and Partly Cloudy near Willard.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Independence to Willard?
The road trip is about 167 miles (268.7 km) and usually takes 03h 21m 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?
Clinton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.5 miles from Independence and 83.5 miles from Willard.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 134.5 miles (216.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.5 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 10:18 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.21 one way or $44.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Independence and Partly Cloudy near Willard.
Stop Ideas Near Clinton
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 Clinton.
Warrensburg
Sedalia
Lee's Summit
Independence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Willard. Straight-line distance: 134.54 mi (216.52 km).
#1 Independence
A city in Jackson County, Missouri.
| Population | 116,774 |
| Coordinates | 39.0911200, -94.4155100 |
| Altitude | 315 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Willard
City in Missouri
| Population | 5,736 |
| Coordinates | 37.3050500, -93.4285300 |
| Altitude | 377 |
| Country | United States |
End: Willard (-93.42853, 37.30505)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 269 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.21 | $44.42 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.05 | $50.10 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.41 | $54.82 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.24 | $62.48 |
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 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.