Trip from Bethany, MO to East Independence, MO

Drive Time

7h 58m

Distance

383 mi

616 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$58

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min

4 AM

7h 50m ★

6 AM

7h 59m

8 AM

8h 16m

10 AM

8h 5m

12 PM

8h 3m

3 PM

8h 6m

5 PM

8h 15m

8 PM

7h 53m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Bethany, MO

Mikhail Nilov

East Independence, MO

Momo King

Trip Overview

The drive from Bethany, MO to East Independence, MO covers 383 miles and takes about 7h 58m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 60, North Kansas Expressway, MO 7 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 176.6 miles on US 60. At current regular gas prices, budget about $58.17 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

191.5 miles from Bethany, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 3m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 7h 58m highway drive covering 383 miles, with most of the trip on US 60 and North Kansas Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 176.6 miles on US 60.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 60 is the longest continuous segment at about 176.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 60 and North Kansas Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 223.5 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 383 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 223.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 223.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 223.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

223.5 mi into trip | ~4h 42m in

Take the exit toward MO 13: Bolivar

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 77 Toward MO 13: Bolivar

223.6 mi into trip | ~4h 42m in

Keep slight left at fork toward MO 13: Bolivar

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 77 Toward MO 13: Bolivar

223.7 mi into trip | ~4h 42m in

Keep slight right at fork toward MO 13 North: Bolivar

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 77 Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar

350.2 mi into trip | ~7h 9m in

Keep slight right at fork toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit

367.6 mi into trip | ~7h 34m in | MO 291

Take the exit onto MO 291 toward MO 291 North: Independence, Hamblen Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward MO 291 North: Independence, Hamblen Road

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 60	176.6 mi	3h 28m
North Kansas Expressway	87.2 mi	1h 42m
MO 7	39.2 mi	43m
MO 291	22.4 mi	32m
MO 53	19.5 mi	29m
MO H	8.8 mi	17m
MO 58	8.5 mi	11m
Schoolcraft Freeway	8.1 mi	10m

Longest stretch: US 60 — 176.6 mi, about 3h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bethany, MO and East Independence, MO.

Start on County Road 102

0.8 mi · 3 min · County Road 102

Turn left onto MO H

3.5 mi · 8 min · MO H

Continue on MO H; MO J

5.2 mi · 9 min · MO H; MO J

Turn right onto MO 53

20 mi · 29 min · MO 53

Turn right onto US 67 Business

2.4 mi · 3 min · South Westwood Boulevard

Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business

0.3 mi · 25 sec · State Street

Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business

1.6 mi · 2 min · North Westwood Boulevard

Continue on US 67; US 60 Business

0.4 mi · 37 sec · US 67; US 60 Business

Continue on US 60; US 67

4.0 mi · 4 min · US 60; US 67

Take the exit onto US 60

173 mi · 3 hr 23 min · US 60

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Toward US 65 North: Sedalia

Merge onto US 65

8.1 mi · 10 min · Schoolcraft Freeway

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward I 44 West: Joplin

Merge onto I 44

4.1 mi · 5 min · Payne Stewart Highway

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 14 sec

Exit 77 Toward MO 13: Bolivar

Keep slight left at fork

150 ft · 3 sec

Exit 77 Toward MO 13: Bolivar

Keep slight right at fork

209 ft · 7 sec

Exit 77 Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar

Merge onto MO 13

87 mi · 1 hr 42 min · North Kansas Expressway

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on MO 7

36 mi · 39 min · MO 7

Take the exit onto MO 7

3.3 mi · 3 min · MO 7

Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 17 sec

Exit 160 Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit

Keep slight right at fork

243 ft · 6 sec

Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit

Merge onto MO 291

8.3 mi · 12 min · MO 291

Turn slight left onto MO 58; MO 291

8.5 mi · 11 min · MO 58; MO 291

Take the exit onto MO 291

0.6 mi · 52 sec · MO 291

Toward US 50 East, MO 291 North: Sedalia

Take the exit onto MO 291

0.2 mi · 37 sec · MO 291

Toward MO 291 North: Independence, Hamblen Road Use the slight right lane.

Turn left

300 ft · 7 sec

Continue on MO 291

13 mi · 18 min · MO 291

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec

Toward East Truman Road

At end of road, turn left onto East Truman Road

1.2 mi · 2 min · East Truman Road

Turn left onto Main Road

0.3 mi · 1 min · Main Road

Turn right onto East 9th Street South

79 ft · 3 sec · East 9th Street South

Arrive at destination

East 9th Street South

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 191.5 miles from Bethany, MO, or about 4h 3m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 176.6 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 84 miles or 1h 56m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 191.5 miles or 4h 3m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Independence, MO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Bethany, MO so your first major turns are already loaded.

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Bethany, MO

This is one driving day of about 383 miles and 7h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Bethany, MO.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on US 60 for about 176.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 191.5 mi from Bethany, MO · 4h 3m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bentonville, AR

192 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Gosnell, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bentonville, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 191.5 miles from Bethany, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 60 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 176.6 miles.

Arriving in East Independence, MO

The final approach into East Independence, MO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around East Independence, MO.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

National Battlefield

Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 211.3

Caution: BE AWARE OF HIGH-WATER DANGER

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$58.17 one way

$116.35 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 134 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$64.13	$128.26
premium	$4.80	$72.30	$144.61
diesel	$5.64	$85.09	$170.18

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$58

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$83–$108

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 134 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	114.9	1	$40.21	$18.38
Efficient EV	95.8	1	$33.51	$15.32
EV Truck/SUV	153.2	1	$53.62	$24.51

Gas CO2

134 kg

EV CO2

45 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Bethany, MO

Afternoon in Bethany on Monday

Local time

1:19 PM

CDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

East Independence, MO

Afternoon in East Independence on Monday

Local time

1:19 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

10 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

7h 58m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Bethany, MO to East Independence, MO covers 383 miles and takes about 7h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 60, North Kansas Expressway, MO 7. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 191.5 miles from Bethany, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $58.17 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

The route from Bethany, MO to East Independence, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

East Independence, MO to Bethany, MO

Plan the drive back the other way.

383.9 mi 8h

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Trip from Bethany, MO to East Independence, MO

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in East Independence, MO

National Parks Near This Route

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Bethany, MO

East Independence, MO

Same local time

10 degrees cooler at arrival

7h 58m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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