How far is Vandalia, MO from Independence, MO?
The driving distance from Vandalia, MO to Independence, MO is about 183.5 miles (295.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 157.5 miles (253.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 57m 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 58m.
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 Cooper County, Missouri, USA
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 Vandalia and Independence.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Vandalia and Independence.
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1
Start on North Main Street
15 m · 3 sec · North Main Street
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2
Turn right onto US 54
8.9 mi · 12 min · US 54
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route
74 m · 3 sec
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4
Exit the roundabout
8.1 mi · 11 min
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Scott's Corner
19 m · 1 sec
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6
Exit the rotary
10.4 mi · 14 min
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7
Turn left onto US 54 West: Jefferson City
18.1 mi · 20 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
1253 ft · 15 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
18.6 mi · 24 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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10
Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
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11
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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12
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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13
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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14
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
52.5 mi · 57 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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15
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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16
Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Noland Road
1110 ft · 24 sec
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18
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3 mi · 5 min · South Noland Road
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19
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
142 m · 23 sec · East Walnut Street
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20
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
120 m · 23 sec · South Lynn Street
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21
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
44 m · 6 sec · East Kansas Avenue
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Kansas Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Vandalia 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.
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 00h 58m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Vandalia 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 Vandalia to Independence?
The road trip is about 183.5 miles (295.3 km) and usually takes 02h 58m 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?
Boonville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91.9 miles from Vandalia and 91.5 miles from Independence.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 157.5 miles (253.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 26 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 12:32 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.40 one way or $48.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Vandalia and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Independence.
Stop Ideas Near Boonville
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 Boonville.
Sedalia
Jefferson City
Warrensburg
Hermann
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Vandalia and Independence. Straight-line distance: 157.45 mi (253.39 km).
#1 Vandalia
City in Audrain and Ralls Counties, Missouri, USA
| Population | 3,496 |
| Coordinates | 39.3108700, -91.4884900 |
| Altitude | 232 |
| 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: 295 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.40 | $48.80 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.52 | $55.03 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.11 | $60.22 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.32 | $68.63 |
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.