How far is Poplar Bluff, MO from Independence, MO?
The driving distance from Poplar Bluff, MO to Independence, MO is about 359.8 miles (579.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 272.1 miles (437.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 33m 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 05h 46m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Greene and Webster Counties in the U.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Poplar Bluff and Independence.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Poplar Bluff and Independence.
-
1
Start on West Pine Street
1.3 km · 1 min · West Pine Street
-
2
Turn right onto North Westwood Boulevard
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Westwood Boulevard
-
3
Continue on State Street
1396 ft · 26 sec · State Street
-
4
Continue on North Westwood Boulevard
1.6 mi · 2 min · North Westwood Boulevard
-
5
Continue straight
2283 ft · 38 sec
-
6
Continue straight
4 mi · 5 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right
172.6 mi · 3 hr 23 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward US 65 North: Sedalia
1511 ft · 32 sec
-
9
Merge slight left onto Schoolcraft Freeway
8.1 mi · 10 min · Schoolcraft Freeway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 44 West: Joplin
1.3 km · 1 min
-
11
Merge slight left onto Payne Stewart Highway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Payne Stewart Highway
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward MO 13: Bolivar
596 ft · 15 sec
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on MO 13: Bolivar
46 m · 4 sec
-
14
Keep slight right to continue on MO 13 North: Bolivar
64 m · 7 sec
-
15
Merge slight left onto North Kansas Expressway
87.2 mi · 1 hr 43 min · North Kansas Expressway
-
16
Continue straight
35.9 mi · 39 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
3.3 mi · 4 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
817 ft · 17 sec
-
19
Keep slight right to continue on MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
74 m · 6 sec
-
20
Merge slight left
8.3 mi · 12 min
-
21
Turn slight left
8.5 mi · 12 min
-
22
Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street
860 ft · 23 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street
-
23
Take the exit slight left toward US 50 West: Kansas City
833 ft · 20 sec
-
24
Merge slight left
2.7 mi · 3 min
-
25
Continue on Blue Parkway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Blue Parkway
-
26
Turn right onto South Noland Road
5.9 mi · 10 min · South Noland Road
-
27
Continue on South Noland Road
3.1 mi · 6 min · South Noland Road
-
28
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
142 m · 23 sec · East Walnut Street
-
29
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
120 m · 23 sec · South Lynn Street
-
30
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
44 m · 6 sec · East Kansas Avenue
-
31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Kansas Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Poplar Bluff and Independence.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
North Westwood Boulevard
Take the exit slight right
173 mi · 03h 23m
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 Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Poplar Bluff 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 Poplar Bluff to Independence?
The road trip is about 359.8 miles (579.1 km) and usually takes 05h 46m 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?
Rogersville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 176.1 miles from Poplar Bluff and 183.7 miles from Independence.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 272.1 miles (437.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 87.7 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 5:26 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $47.89 one way or $95.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 112.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Poplar Bluff and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Independence.
Stop Ideas Near Rogersville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Historic City Hall
Nixa City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Rogersville.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Poplar Bluff and Independence. Straight-line distance: 272.12 mi (437.94 km).
#1 Poplar Bluff
City in Butler County in Southeast Missouri, United States
| Population | 16,807 |
| Coordinates | 36.7570000, -90.3928900 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| 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: 579 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $47.89 | $95.78 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $54.01 | $108.03 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $59.11 | $118.21 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $67.36 | $134.72 |
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.