Trip from Claycomo, MO to Independence, MO

Drive Time

19m

Distance

12.2 mi

20 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$2

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

4 AM
0h 18m ★
6 AM
0h 20m
8 AM
0h 23m
10 AM
0h 21m
12 PM
0h 21m
3 PM
0h 21m
5 PM
0h 23m
8 PM
0h 19m

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

Downtown Claycomo, MO, MO

Claycomo, MO

Valeria Boltneva

Downtown Independence, MO, MO

Independence, MO

Ever Rayan

Trip Overview

If you are planning a quick transit between Claycomo and Independence, Missouri, you are looking at a short, 12.2-mile journey that typically takes about 19 minutes behind the wheel. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you will not need to worry about overnight accommodations or complicated travel logistics. With a fuel cost estimate of just $2, it is a highly economical route within the Midwest. You will rely on a combination of I-435, East Truman Road, and North Main Street to complete the connection. Whether you are running errands or heading to a meeting, this straightforward drive offers a practical way to navigate between these two locations without any required stops.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

6.1 miles from Claycomo, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 7m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip features a mixed-drive profile that balances highway efficiency with local road navigation. Approximately 60% of your travel occurs on major highways, providing a steady pace for the majority of the trip. You will spend your longest uninterrupted stretch on I-435, covering 7.3 miles before transitioning to surface streets. As you move away from the interstate, the character of the road shifts, requiring you to navigate East Truman Road and North Main Street to reach your final destination. Expect a functional commute that transitions from high-speed highway lanes into the more measured environment of local city streets.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 435 is the longest continuous segment at about 7.3 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,034 ft 791 ft

Total Climb

244 ft

Total Descent

0 ft

Highest Point

1,034 ft

~12.5 mi in

Elevation Range

244 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in.

Route Complexity 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 19m drive. You will face about 7 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: Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (I 435): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

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

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in

Turn left toward I 435 South: Saint Louis

Navigation decision point

Toward I 435 South: Saint Louis
5
0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | I 435

Merge onto I 435

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
8
7.5 mi into trip | ~9m in

Take the exit toward MO 12 East: 12th Street, Truman 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. Exit 60 Toward MO 12 East: 12th Street, Truman Road
4
8 mi into trip | ~10m in | MO 12 / East Truman Road

Turn left onto MO 12 / East Truman Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
5
12.2 mi into trip | ~19m in | East Kansas Avenue

Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 435 7.3 mi 8m
East Truman Road 4 mi 8m
North Main Street 0.2 mi <1m
Lewis & Clark Trail 0.1 mi <1m
East Kansas Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 435 — 7.3 mi, about 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 69

221 ft · 12 sec · Lewis & Clark Trail
2

Continue on US 69

487 ft · 22 sec · Lewis & Clark Trail
3

Turn left

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 435 South: Saint Louis
4

Merge onto I 435

7.3 mi · 8 min · I 435
Use the none lane.
5

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Exit 60 Toward MO 12 East: 12th Street, Truman Road Use the slight right lane.
6

Turn left onto MO 12

4.0 mi · 8 min · East Truman Road
Use the none lane.
7

Turn right onto North Main Street

0.2 mi · 49 sec · North Main Street
8

Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue

63 ft · 2 sec · East Kansas Avenue
9

Arrive at destination

East Kansas Avenue

Trip Plan

Since this is a brief 19-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, as there is no need to worry about long-distance pacing or fatigue. You can easily complete the 12.2-mile distance in one go, as no stops are strictly necessary to finish the route. Keep in mind that because the drive is so short, you should double-check your fuel levels before heading out to ensure you stay within your $2 budget without needing extra detours. My best tip for this specific route is to stay alert when transitioning from the 7.3-mile stretch on I-435 onto the local roads, as traffic patterns can change quickly once you exit the interstate.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 6.1 miles from Claycomo, MO, or about 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.3 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 12.2 miles or 19m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 6.1 miles or 7m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 15m

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 Claycomo, 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 Claycomo, MO

This is one driving day of about 12.2 miles and 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Claycomo, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 435 for about 7.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 6.1 mi from Claycomo, MO · 7m into the drive

Downtown Kansas City, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Kansas City, MO

6 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

Kansas City, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 12.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Kansas City, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 6.1 miles from Claycomo, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$1.85 one way

$3.71 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 4 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $2.04 $4.09
premium $4.80 $2.30 $4.61
diesel $5.64 $2.71 $5.42

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$27–$52

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 4.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 3.7 0 $1.28 $0.59
Efficient EV 3.1 0 $1.07 $0.49
EV Truck/SUV 4.9 0 $1.71 $0.78

Gas CO2

4 kg

EV CO2

1 kg (75% 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 1 day ago

Origin

Claycomo, MO

Afternoon in Claycomo on Sunday

Local time

3:30 PM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SE 7 to 14 mph 29% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Destination

Independence, MO

Afternoon in Independence on Sunday

Local time

3:30 PM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SSE 5 to 13 mph 24% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

19m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Claycomo, MO to Independence, MO covers 12.2 miles and takes about 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 435, East Truman Road, North Main Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.1 miles from Claycomo, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.85 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.
This is a straightforward 19m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (I 435): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Claycomo, MO to Independence, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 791 ft to 1,034 ft elevation with about 244 ft of total climbing.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Independence, MO to Claycomo, MO

Plan the drive back the other way.

12.1 mi 19m

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