How far is Sparta, MO from Independence, MO?
The driving distance from Sparta, MO to Independence, MO is about 195.4 miles (314.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 161.6 miles (260.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 16m 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 08m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sparta and Independence.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sparta and Independence.
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1
Start on Main Street
6.9 mi · 10 min · Main Street
-
2
Continue on West South Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · West South Street
-
3
Take the ramp right toward US 65 North: Springfield
1281 ft · 31 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto American Legion Memorial Highway
5.8 mi · 7 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
-
5
Continue on Schoolcraft Freeway
10.7 mi · 13 min · Schoolcraft Freeway
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 44 West: Joplin
1.3 km · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Payne Stewart Highway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Payne Stewart Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward MO 13: Bolivar
596 ft · 15 sec
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on MO 13: Bolivar
46 m · 4 sec
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on MO 13 North: Bolivar
64 m · 7 sec
-
11
Merge slight left onto North Kansas Expressway
87.2 mi · 1 hr 43 min · North Kansas Expressway
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12
Continue straight
35.9 mi · 39 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
3.3 mi · 4 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
817 ft · 17 sec
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
74 m · 6 sec
-
16
Merge slight left
8.3 mi · 12 min
-
17
Turn slight left
8.5 mi · 12 min
-
18
Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street
860 ft · 23 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street
-
19
Take the exit slight left toward US 50 West: Kansas City
833 ft · 20 sec
-
20
Merge slight left
2.7 mi · 3 min
-
21
Continue on Blue Parkway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Blue Parkway
-
22
Turn right onto South Noland Road
5.9 mi · 10 min · South Noland Road
-
23
Continue on South Noland Road
3.1 mi · 6 min · South Noland Road
-
24
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
142 m · 23 sec · East Walnut Street
-
25
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
120 m · 23 sec · South Lynn Street
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26
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
44 m · 6 sec · East Kansas Avenue
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Kansas Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sparta 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.
North Kansas Expressway
Merge slight left onto North Kansas Expressway
87.2 mi · 01h 43m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Sparta 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 Sparta to Independence?
The road trip is about 195.4 miles (314.4 km) and usually takes 03h 08m 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?
Osceola is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.1 miles from Sparta and 101.3 miles from Independence.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 161.6 miles (260.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.8 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 10:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.98 one way or $51.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Sparta and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Independence.
Stop Ideas Near Osceola
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 Osceola.
Warrensburg
Sedalia
Lee's Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sparta and Independence. Straight-line distance: 161.61 mi (260.09 km).
#1 Sparta
City in Christian County, Missouri
| Population | 1,792 |
| Coordinates | 37.0011600, -93.0815700 |
| Altitude | 428 |
| 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: 314 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.98 | $51.96 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.30 | $58.61 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.07 | $64.13 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.54 | $73.09 |
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.