The drive from Doniphan, MO to Independence, MO covers 349.5 miles and takes about 7h 8m 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 153 miles on US 60.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $54.64 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
174.7 miles from Doniphan, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 33m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 8m. Total distance: 349.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 8m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 7h 8m highway drive covering 349.5 miles, with most of the trip on US 60 and North Kansas Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 153 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 31 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 153 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,637 ft398 ft
Total Climb
1,522 ft
Total Descent
886 ft
Highest Point
1,637 ft
~149.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,239 ft
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 191.3 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 349.5 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 191.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 191.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 191.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
191.3 mi into trip|~3h 54m in
Take the exit toward MO 13: Bolivar
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 77
Toward MO 13: Bolivar
7
191.4 mi into trip|~3h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MO 13: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 77
Toward MO 13: Bolivar
7
191.4 mi into trip|~3h 54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 77
Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
5
191.5 mi into trip|~3h 54m in|MO 13 / North Kansas Expressway
Merge onto MO 13 / North Kansas Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
318 mi into trip|~6h 21m 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
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 60
153 mi
2h 59m
North Kansas Expressway
87.2 mi
1h 42m
MO 7
39.2 mi
43m
MO 21
22.4 mi
33m
South Noland Road
8.9 mi
15m
MO 58
8.5 mi
11m
MO 291
8.3 mi
12m
Schoolcraft Freeway
8.1 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
US 60
— 153 mi, about 2h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Doniphan, MO and Independence, MO.
1
Start on Plum Street
169 ft·9 sec·Plum Street
2
Turn right onto MO 142
0.7 mi·1 min·Walnut Street
3
Turn right onto US 160; MO 21
2.0 mi·2 min·US 160; MO 21
4
Continue on MO 21
22 mi·33 min·MO 21
5
Turn left onto US 60; MO 21
57 mi·1 hr 6 min·US 60; MO 21
6
Continue on US 60; MO 17
26 mi·30 min·US 60; MO 17
7
Continue on US 60; US 63
71 mi·1 hr 22 min·US 60; US 63
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward US 65 North: Sedalia
9
Merge onto US 65
8.1 mi·10 min·Schoolcraft Freeway
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 44 West: Joplin
11
Merge onto I 44
4.1 mi·5 min·Payne Stewart Highway
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 77Toward MO 13: Bolivar
13
Keep slight left at fork
150 ft·3 sec
Exit 77Toward MO 13: Bolivar
14
Keep slight right at fork
209 ft·7 sec
Exit 77Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
15
Merge onto MO 13
87 mi·1 hr 42 min·North Kansas Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Continue on MO 7
36 mi·39 min·MO 7
17
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
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 160Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
19
Keep slight right at fork
243 ft·6 sec
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
20
Merge onto MO 291
8.3 mi·12 min·MO 291
21
Turn slight left onto MO 58; MO 291
8.5 mi·11 min·MO 58; MO 291
22
Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·Southwest Jefferson Street
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward US 50 West: Kansas City
24
Merge onto US 50
2.7 mi·3 min·US 50
25
Continue on MO 350
2.5 mi·3 min·Blue Parkway
26
Turn right onto MO V
5.9 mi·9 min·South Noland Road
27
Continue on South Noland Road
3.1 mi·5 min·South Noland Road
28
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
466 ft·22 sec·East Walnut Street
29
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
394 ft·22 sec·South Lynn Street
30
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
145 ft·6 sec·East Kansas Avenue
31
Arrive at destination
East Kansas Avenue
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 174.7 miles from Doniphan, MO, or about 3h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153 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 77 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174.7 miles or 3h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 49m
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 Doniphan, 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 Doniphan, MO
This is one driving day of about 349.5 miles and 7h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Doniphan, 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 153 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 174.7 mi from Doniphan, MO
· 3h 33m into the drive
The midpoint is around 174.7 miles from Doniphan, 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 153 miles.
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.
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
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 180.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.64 one way
$109.28 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg122 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$59.99
$119.99
premium
$4.89
$67.26
$134.52
diesel
$5.61
$77.17
$154.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
104.9
1
$36.70
$16.78
Efficient EV
87.4
0
$30.58
$13.98
EV Truck/SUV
139.8
1
$48.93
$22.37
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Doniphan, MO
Morning
in Doniphan on Saturday
Local time
6:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Independence, MO
Morning
in Independence on Saturday
Local time
6:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Billings, MO
175 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
4 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 8m 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 Doniphan, MO to Independence, MO covers 349.5 miles and takes about 7h 8m 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 174.7 miles from Doniphan, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $54.64 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 349.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 191.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 191.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 191.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Doniphan, MO to Independence, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 398 ft to 1,637 ft elevation with about 1,522 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Wilson's Creek National Battlefield.
