Origin
East Independence, MO
Afternoon in East Independence on Sunday
Local time
3:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from East Independence, MO to Cameron, MO
Drive Time
1h 4m
Distance
48.8 mi
79 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 0m
★
6 AM
1h 5m
8 AM
1h 15m
10 AM
1h 9m
12 PM
1h 8m
3 PM
1h 9m
5 PM
1h 15m
8 PM
1h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
East Independence, MO
Ankit Rainloure
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a straightforward connection between East Independence and Cameron, this 48.8-mile trek is an ideal day trip. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 4 minutes on the road, making it a quick transit rather than a multi-day excursion. Budgeting around $7 for fuel should cover your needs for the entire journey. This route keeps you firmly within the Midwest, traversing Missouri on a path that prioritizes efficiency over sightseeing. Since the drive is short, you won't need to worry about overnight lodging or complex pacing strategies. It serves as a practical, no-nonsense link for travelers moving between these two Missouri locations.
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
24.4 miles from East Independence, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 36m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 88% of your time spent on major routes like the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, MO 291, and US 69. You will settle into a steady rhythm early on, particularly during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 27.7 miles along the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. The road design favors speed and directness, minimizing the stop-and-go traffic often found on smaller local roads. While the transition between these highways keeps the journey moving, you should prepare for a consistent interstate feel throughout the trip. It is a functional path designed to get you from point A to point B as reliably as possible.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 27.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and MO 291. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main Road.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 4m 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: near the start (Main Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (East Truman Road): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (MO 291): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Main Road
Turn left onto Main Road
Navigation decision point
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
East Truman Road
Turn right onto East Truman Road
Navigation decision point
3
1.8 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
MO 291
Merge onto MO 291
Merge point - match speed before joining
3
15.5 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
I 35; MO 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Merge onto I 35; MO 110 / Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining
5
43.2 mi into trip
|
~56m in
Take the exit toward US 69: Lawson, Cameron
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 69: Lawson, Cameron
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Kansas City Expressway | 27.7 mi | 29m |
| MO 291 | 9.9 mi | 14m |
| US 69 | 5.1 mi | 7m |
| Lightburne Street | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| East Truman Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| South Leonard Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East 2nd Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| Main Road | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
— 27.7 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Independence, MO and Cameron, MO.
1
Start on East 9th Street South
79 ft
·
8 sec
·
East 9th Street South
2
Turn left onto Main Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Road
3
Turn right onto East Truman Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Truman Road
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
5
Merge onto MO 291
9.9 mi
·
14 min
·
MO 291
6
Turn slight right
409 ft
·
8 sec
7
Turn slight right onto South Leonard Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Leonard Street
8
Continue on Lightburne Street
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Lightburne Street
9
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
10
Merge onto I 35; MO 110
28 mi
·
29 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward US 69: Lawson, Cameron
12
Turn left onto US 69
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
US 69
13
Turn left onto East 2nd Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East 2nd Street
14
Arrive at destination
West 2nd Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a brief 1-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time to avoid local congestion. You won't need to plan for formal stops, as the duration is short enough to drive straight through without a break. Keep a close watch on your fuel gauge before leaving East Independence; while $7 is a reasonable estimate, filling up locally ensures you won't need to hunt for gas stations along the expressway. Given the heavy reliance on the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, check for real-time traffic updates on that specific corridor before you head out. Prioritize a steady pace to make the most of the highway-heavy layout.
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 24.4 miles from East Independence, MO, or about 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.7 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 48.8 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 24.4 miles or 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cameron, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving East Independence, 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 East Independence, MO
This is one driving day of about 48.8 miles and 1h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from East Independence, 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 Chicago-Kansas City Expressway for about 27.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.4 mi from East Independence, MO · 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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 48.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.4 miles from East Independence, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cameron, MO
The final approach into Cameron, 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 Cameron, 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
$7.41 one way
$14.82 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $8.17 | $16.34 |
| premium | $4.80 | $9.21 | $18.42 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $10.84 | $21.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.6 | 0 | $5.12 | $2.34 |
| Efficient EV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.27 | $1.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.5 | 0 | $6.83 | $3.12 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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
Cameron, MO
Afternoon in Cameron on Sunday
Local time
3:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 4m 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 East Independence, MO to Cameron, MO covers 48.8 miles and takes about 1h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, MO 291, US 69. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 24.4 miles from East Independence, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.41 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 1h 4m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Main Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (East Truman Road): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (MO 291): Merge point - match speed before joining.
The route from East Independence, MO to Cameron, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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