Origin
Buffalo, MO
Evening in Buffalo on Thursday
Local time
6:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Buffalo, MO to East Independence, MO
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 15m
Distance
152.5 mi
246 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 4m
★
6 AM
3h 16m
8 AM
3h 40m
10 AM
3h 24m
12 PM
3h 22m
3 PM
3h 25m
5 PM
3h 38m
8 PM
3h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buffalo, MO
Emre Akyol
East Independence, MO
Momo King
Trip Overview
The drive from Buffalo, MO to East Independence, MO covers 152.5 miles and takes about 3h 15m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on MO 13, MO 7, MO 291 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 59.7 miles on MO 13. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.84 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
76.3 miles from Buffalo, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 15m. Total distance: 152.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 15m highway drive covering 152.5 miles, with most of the trip on MO 13 and MO 7. The longest continuous stretch is about 59.7 miles on MO 13.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
MO 13 is the longest continuous segment at about 59.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 13 and MO 7. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 20.8 miles in near MO 13.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 152.5 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 20.8 miles (MO 13): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.4 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
20.8 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
MO 13
Merge onto MO 13
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
116.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
|
MO 7
Take the exit onto MO 7 toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kan...
5
119.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 160
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
6
119.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m 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
7
137.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| MO 13 | 59.7 mi | 1h 10m |
| MO 7 | 39.2 mi | 43m |
| MO 291 | 22.4 mi | 32m |
| West Dallas Street | 20.3 mi | 31m |
| MO 58 | 8.5 mi | 11m |
| East Truman Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Main Road | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| South Maple Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
MO 13
— 59.7 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo, MO and East Independence, MO.
1
Start on South Maple Street
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
South Maple Street
2
Turn right onto MO 32
20 mi
·
31 min
·
West Dallas Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward MO 13 North: Humansville
4
Merge onto MO 13
60 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
MO 13
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on MO 7
36 mi
·
39 min
·
MO 7
6
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
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 160
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
8
Keep slight right at fork
243 ft
·
6 sec
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
9
Merge onto MO 291
8.3 mi
·
12 min
·
MO 291
10
Turn slight left onto MO 58; MO 291
8.5 mi
·
11 min
·
MO 58; MO 291
11
Take the exit onto MO 291
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
MO 291
Toward US 50 East, MO 291 North: Sedalia
12
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.
13
Turn left
300 ft
·
7 sec
14
Continue on MO 291
13 mi
·
18 min
·
MO 291
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward East Truman Road
16
At end of road, turn left onto East Truman Road
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Truman Road
17
Turn left onto Main Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Road
18
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
79 ft
·
3 sec
·
East 9th Street South
19
Arrive at destination
East 9th Street South
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.3 miles from Buffalo, MO, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.7 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 34 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.3 miles or 1h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 34m
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 Buffalo, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Buffalo, MO
This is one driving day of about 152.5 miles and 3h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Buffalo, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on MO 13 for about 59.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.3 mi from Buffalo, MO · 1h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.3 miles from Buffalo, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.84 one way
$47.68 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.18 | $52.35 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.35 | $58.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.67 | $67.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.8 | 0 | $16.01 | $7.32 |
| Efficient EV | 38.1 | 0 | $13.34 | $6.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61 | 0 | $21.35 | $9.76 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
East Independence, MO
Evening in East Independence on Thursday
Local time
6:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°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
18 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
3h 15m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Buffalo, MO to East Independence, MO covers 152.5 miles and takes about 3h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MO 13, MO 7, MO 291. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.3 miles from Buffalo, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.84 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 152.5 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 20.8 miles (MO 13): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.4 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Buffalo, MO to East Independence, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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