How far is Thayer, MO from Independence, MO?
The driving distance from Thayer, MO to Independence, MO is about 304.8 miles (490.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 236.9 miles (381.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 42m 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 04h 51m.
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.
City in Polk County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thayer and Independence.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thayer and Independence.
-
1
Start on the route
23 m · 11 sec
-
2
Turn sharp left onto Front Street
133 m · 18 sec · Front Street
-
3
Turn left onto Walnut Street
911 ft · 27 sec · Walnut Street
-
4
Turn left
95.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min
-
5
Continue straight
30.5 mi · 36 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward US 65 North: Sedalia
1511 ft · 32 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Schoolcraft Freeway
8.1 mi · 10 min · Schoolcraft Freeway
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 44 West: Joplin
1.3 km · 1 min
-
9
Merge slight left onto Payne Stewart Highway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Payne Stewart Highway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward MO 13: Bolivar
596 ft · 15 sec
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on MO 13: Bolivar
46 m · 4 sec
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on MO 13 North: Bolivar
64 m · 7 sec
-
13
Merge slight left onto North Kansas Expressway
87.2 mi · 1 hr 43 min · North Kansas Expressway
-
14
Continue straight
35.9 mi · 39 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
3.3 mi · 4 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
817 ft · 17 sec
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
74 m · 6 sec
-
18
Merge slight left
8.3 mi · 12 min
-
19
Turn slight left
8.5 mi · 12 min
-
20
Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street
860 ft · 23 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street
-
21
Take the exit slight left toward US 50 West: Kansas City
833 ft · 20 sec
-
22
Merge slight left
2.7 mi · 3 min
-
23
Continue on Blue Parkway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Blue Parkway
-
24
Turn right onto South Noland Road
5.9 mi · 10 min · South Noland Road
-
25
Continue on South Noland Road
3.1 mi · 6 min · South Noland Road
-
26
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
142 m · 23 sec · East Walnut Street
-
27
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
120 m · 23 sec · South Lynn Street
-
28
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
44 m · 6 sec · East Kansas Avenue
-
29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Kansas Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thayer and Independence.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Longest stretch
Turn left
95.3 mi · 01h 55m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Thayer 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 Thayer to Independence?
The road trip is about 304.8 miles (490.6 km) and usually takes 04h 51m 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?
Pleasant Hope is a useful midpoint, sitting about 148.8 miles from Thayer and 156.1 miles from Independence.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 236.9 miles (381.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 67.9 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 7:18 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.58 one way or $81.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 95.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms around Thayer and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Independence.
Stop Ideas Near Pleasant Hope
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Historic City Hall
Willard City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pleasant Hope.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thayer and Independence. Straight-line distance: 236.87 mi (381.2 km).
#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: 491 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $40.58 | $81.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $45.76 | $91.52 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $50.08 | $100.15 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $57.07 | $114.14 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.