How far is St. Louis, MO from Independence, MO?
The driving distance from St. Louis, MO to Independence, MO is about 240 miles (386.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 229.2 miles (368.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 30m 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 45m.
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.
The most populous city in the state of Missouri.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between St. Louis and Independence.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between St. Louis and Independence.
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1
Start on Market Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Market Street
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2
Take the ramp slight left toward I 64 West, US 40 West: Wentzville
1531 ft · 24 sec
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3
Merge slight left onto Jack Buck Memorial Highway
4.3 mi · 6 min · Jack Buck Memorial Highway
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4
Continue on Daniel Boone Expressway
5.7 mi · 7 min · Daniel Boone Expressway
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5
Continue on Avenue of the Saints
27.8 mi · 34 min · Avenue of the Saints
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6
Take the exit slight left toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
3047 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
80.7 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
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8
Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
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9
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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10
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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11
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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12
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
52.5 mi · 57 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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13
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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14
Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Noland Road
1110 ft · 24 sec
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16
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3 mi · 5 min · South Noland Road
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17
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
142 m · 23 sec · East Walnut Street
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18
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
120 m · 23 sec · South Lynn Street
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19
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
44 m · 6 sec · East Kansas Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Kansas Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between St. Louis 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.
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
80.7 mi · 01h 35m
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 leaving St. Louis and Mostly Sunny near Independence.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from St. Louis to Independence?
The road trip is about 240 miles (386.3 km) and usually takes 03h 45m 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?
Columbia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 120.1 miles from St. Louis and 119.9 miles from Independence.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 229.2 miles (368.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.8 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 9:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.94 one way or $63.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 75.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around St. Louis and Mostly Sunny near Independence.
Stop Ideas Near Columbia
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 Columbia.
Jefferson City
Sedalia
Hermann
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between St. Louis and Independence. Straight-line distance: 229.15 mi (368.78 km).
#1 St. Louis
The second most populous city in Missouri and the center of the St.
| Population | 315,685 |
| Coordinates | 38.6272700, -90.1978900 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| 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: 386 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $31.94 | $63.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.02 | $72.05 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $39.42 | $78.84 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $44.92 | $89.85 |
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 · May 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.