How far is Kirksville, MO from Independence, MO?
The driving distance from Kirksville, MO to Independence, MO is about 156.3 miles (251.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 123.8 miles (199.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 47m 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 53m.
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 Daviess County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kirksville and Independence.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kirksville and Independence.
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1
Start on North Franklin Street
898 ft · 42 sec · North Franklin Street
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2
Turn right onto East Illinois Street
92 m · 11 sec · East Illinois Street
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3
Turn left onto North Marion Street
1004 ft · 43 sec · North Marion Street
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4
Continue on North Marion Street
66 m · 9 sec · North Marion Street
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5
Continue on North Green Street
3195 ft · 1 min · North Green Street
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6
Turn left onto North Baltimore Street
104 m · 13 sec · North Baltimore Street
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7
Turn left onto West Potter Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Potter Avenue
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8
Continue on Potter Trail
1.6 mi · 3 min · Potter Trail
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9
Turn left
33.8 mi · 50 min
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10
Turn right
26.9 mi · 40 min
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11
Turn left onto Main Street
29.4 mi · 38 min · Main Street
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12
Continue on 2nd Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · 2nd Street
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13
Turn straight
4.4 mi · 6 min
-
14
Take the ramp left
918 ft · 22 sec
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15
Merge slight left
40.9 mi · 44 min
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16
Take the exit slight right
1274 ft · 34 sec
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17
At the end of the road, turn left onto Plattsburg Road
552 ft · 11 sec · Plattsburg Road
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18
Continue on Lightborne Road
820 ft · 16 sec · Lightborne Road
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19
Continue on Lightburne Street
2.7 mi · 5 min · Lightburne Street
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20
Continue on South Leonard Street
1 km · 2 min · South Leonard Street
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21
Take the ramp left
45 m · 3 sec
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22
Merge slight right
8.3 mi · 12 min
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23
Take the exit slight right toward US 24
919 ft · 25 sec
-
24
Keep slight right to continue on US 24
65 m · 6 sec
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25
Turn slight right
2 mi · 5 min
-
26
Turn left onto North Noland Road
1 km · 1 min · North Noland Road
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27
Turn right onto East Lexington Avenue
835 ft · 28 sec · East Lexington Avenue
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28
Turn left onto South Lynn Street
124 m · 20 sec · South Lynn Street
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29
Turn right onto East Kansas Avenue
44 m · 6 sec · East Kansas Avenue
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Kansas Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kirksville and Independence.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
2nd Street
Merge slight left
40.9 mi · 00h 44m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Kirksville 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 Kirksville to Independence?
The road trip is about 156.3 miles (251.5 km) and usually takes 02h 53m 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?
Jamesport is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78 miles from Kirksville and 78.2 miles from Independence.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 123.8 miles (199.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:42 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.78 one way or $41.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Kirksville and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Independence.
Stop Ideas Near Jamesport
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 Jamesport.
Independence
La Plata
Osceola
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kirksville and Independence. Straight-line distance: 123.76 mi (199.17 km).
#1 Kirksville
City in Adair County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 17,653 |
| Coordinates | 40.1947500, -92.5832500 |
| Altitude | 299 |
| 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: 251 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 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.78 | $41.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.43 | $46.87 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.64 | $51.29 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.23 | $58.45 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.