How far is Jefferson City, MO from Independence, MO?
The driving distance from Jefferson City, MO to Independence, MO is about 149.8 miles (241 km), with a travel time of about 02h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 125.8 miles (202.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 48m 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 24m.
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Jefferson City and Independence.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson City and Independence.
-
1
Start on East Wall Way
47 m · 13 sec · East Wall Way
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2
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
77 m · 15 sec · Jefferson Street
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3
Turn right onto West McCarty Street
1 km · 2 min · West McCarty Street
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4
Take the ramp right toward US 54 East, US 63 North: Fulton, Columbia
713 ft · 18 sec
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5
Merge slight left
1.4 mi · 2 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 63 North: Columbia
27.8 mi · 31 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 70, US 40, MO PP: Kansas City, Saint Louis
2021 ft · 43 sec
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8
Continue straight
1089 ft · 31 sec
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9
Take the exit left toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
2220 ft · 54 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
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11
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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12
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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13
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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14
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
52.5 mi · 57 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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15
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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16
Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Noland Road
1110 ft · 24 sec
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18
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3 mi · 5 min · South Noland Road
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19
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
142 m · 23 sec · East Walnut Street
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20
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
120 m · 23 sec · South Lynn Street
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21
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
44 m · 6 sec · East Kansas Avenue
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Kansas Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Jefferson City and Independence.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 00h 58m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Jefferson City and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Independence.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Jefferson City to Independence?
The road trip is about 149.8 miles (241 km) and usually takes 02h 24m 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 75 miles from Jefferson City and 74.8 miles from Independence.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 125.8 miles (202.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 24 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 1:42 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.91 one way or $39.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Jefferson City and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Independence.
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 Jefferson City and Independence. Straight-line distance: 125.79 mi (202.44 km).
#1 Jefferson City
The capital of Missouri.
| Population | 42,708 |
| Coordinates | 38.5767000, -92.1735200 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Independence
A city in Jackson County, Missouri.
| Population | 116,774 |
| Coordinates | 39.0911200, -94.4155100 |
| Altitude | 315 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Kansas Avenue (-94.415514, 39.091027)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 241 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.91 | $39.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $22.46 | $44.91 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $24.57 | $49.15 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $28.01 | $56.01 |
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.