Trip from Carthage, MO to Independence, MO

Drive Time

2h 43m

Distance

137.6 mi

221 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min

4 AM

2h 33m ★

6 AM

2h 44m

8 AM

3h 5m

10 AM

2h 51m

12 PM

2h 49m

3 PM

2h 52m

5 PM

3h 4m

8 PM

2h 37m

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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Independence, MO

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Trip Overview

The drive from Carthage, MO to Independence, MO covers 137.6 miles and takes about 2h 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Purple Heart Trail, Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway, South Noland Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 92.9 miles on Purple Heart Trail. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.90 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

68.8 miles from Carthage, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 2h 43m drive with frequent turns across 137.6 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Purple Heart Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 92.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US Historic 66; MO 96 / East Central Avenue.

Route Complexity 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 2h 43m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US Historic 66; MO 96 / East Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 105.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 106.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | US Historic 66; MO 96 / East Central Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto US Historic 66; MO 96 / East Central Avenue

Navigation decision point

105.9 mi into trip | ~1h 56m 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

106.1 mi into trip | ~1h 56m 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

123.1 mi into trip | ~2h 21m in

Take the exit toward US 50 West: Kansas City

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 50 West: Kansas City

137.5 mi into trip | ~2h 43m in | South Lynn Street

Turn right onto South Lynn Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Purple Heart Trail	92.9 mi	1h 39m
Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway	10.5 mi	11m
South Noland Road	8.9 mi	15m
MO 58	8.5 mi	11m
MO 291	8.3 mi	12m
US 50	2.7 mi	3m
Blue Parkway	2.5 mi	3m
North Garrison Avenue	1.7 mi	3m

Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 92.9 mi, about 1h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on South Grant Street

0.1 mi · 26 sec · South Grant Street

At end of road, turn left onto US Historic 66; MO 96

0.2 mi · 39 sec · East Central Avenue

Turn right onto North Garrison Avenue

1.7 mi · 3 min · North Garrison Avenue

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 26 sec

Toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City

Continue on I 49; US 71

10 mi · 11 min · Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway

Continue on I 49; US 71

93 mi · 1 hr 39 min · Purple Heart Trail

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

Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Southwest Jefferson Street

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Toward US 50 West: Kansas City

Merge onto US 50

2.7 mi · 3 min · US 50

Continue on MO 350

2.5 mi · 3 min · Blue Parkway

Turn right onto MO V

5.9 mi · 9 min · South Noland Road

Continue on South Noland Road

3.1 mi · 5 min · South Noland Road

Turn left onto East Walnut Street

466 ft · 22 sec · East Walnut Street

Turn right onto South Lynn Street

394 ft · 22 sec · South Lynn Street

Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue

145 ft · 6 sec · East Kansas Avenue

Arrive at destination

East Kansas Avenue

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 68.8 miles from Carthage, MO, or about 1h 16m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.9 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 80 miles or 1h 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 68.8 miles or 1h 16m 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 6m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Carthage, 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 Carthage, MO

This is one driving day of about 137.6 miles and 2h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Carthage, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 92.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 68.8 mi from Carthage, MO · 1h 16m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Nevada, MO

69 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.

Popular next leg

Nevada, MO to Independence, MO

90.4 mi · 1h 52m

Pacing Suggestions

Kansas City, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Nevada, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 72.6 miles from Carthage, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Independence, MO

The final approach into 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 Independence, MO.

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.

George Washington Carver National Monument

National Monument

The young child known as the "Plant Doctor" tended his secret garden while observing the day-to-day operations of a 19th century farm. Nature and nurture ultimately influenced George on his quest for...

13 mi from route ~33 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.90 one way

$41.80 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 48 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$23.04	$46.08
premium	$4.80	$25.98	$51.95
diesel	$5.64	$30.57	$61.14

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 48.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	41.3	$14.45	$6.60
Efficient EV	34.4	$12.04	$5.50
EV Truck/SUV	55	$19.26	$8.81

Gas CO2

48 kg

EV CO2

16 kg (67% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Carthage, MO

Afternoon in Carthage on Monday

Local time

2:16 PM

CDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Independence, MO

Afternoon in Independence on Monday

Local time

2:16 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

54°F

Nevada, MO

69 mi in

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

7 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

2h 43m 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 Carthage, MO to Independence, MO covers 137.6 miles and takes about 2h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway, South Noland Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 68.8 miles from Carthage, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.90 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This is a straightforward 2h 43m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

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

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Trip from Carthage, MO to 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 Independence, MO

National Parks Near This Route

George Washington Carver National Monument

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Carthage, MO

Independence, MO

Same local time

7 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 43m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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