The drive from East Independence, MO to Winona, MO covers 290.9 miles and takes about 5h 53m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 60, MO 13, MO 7 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 116.9 miles on US 60.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.48 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
145.4 miles from East Independence, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 53m. Total distance: 290.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 53m highway drive covering 290.9 miles, with most of the trip on US 60 and MO 13. The longest continuous stretch is about 116.9 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 25 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 116.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 60 and MO 13. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main Road.
Driving Effort10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 290.9 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: near the start (Main Road): Navigation decision point; at 12 miles (MO 291): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.3 miles (MO 291): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These 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
8
12 mi into trip|~18m in|MO 291
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 291 toward MO 291 South: Harrisonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward MO 291 South: Harrisonville
6
15.3 mi into trip|~23m in|MO 291
Take the ramp onto MO 291 toward US 50 West, MO 291 South: Kansas City
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 50 West, MO 291 South: Kansas City
6
33.1 mi into trip|~50m in
Take the exit toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
6
255.4 mi into trip|~5h 10m in|US 60
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60 toward US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between East Independence, MO and Winona, MO, road signs point toward Harrisonville, Saint Louis and Poplar Bluff.
Harrisonville
15.9 mi in|~24m|via MO 291
Saint Louis
159.8 mi in|~3h 17m
Poplar Bluff
255.4 mi in|~5h 10m|via US 60
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 60
116.9 mi
2h 17m
MO 13
68 mi
1h 19m
MO 7
55.6 mi
1h 4m
MO 291
31 mi
45m
Schoolcraft Freeway
8.3 mi
10m
Payne Stewart Highway
4.3 mi
5m
I 49
2.8 mi
3m
East Truman Road
1.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 60
— 116.9 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Independence, MO and Winona, 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
1.4 mi·3 min·East Truman Road
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
5
Merge onto MO 291
10.0 mi·13 min·MO 291
6
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 291
3.3 mi·5 min·MO 291
Exit 10BToward MO 291 South: HarrisonvilleUse the slight left / straight lanes.
7
Take the ramp onto MO 291
0.6 mi·53 sec·MO 291
Toward US 50 West, MO 291 South: Kansas City
8
Take the exit onto MO 291
0.1 mi·18 sec·MO 291
Toward MO 291 South: Jefferson Street, Harrisonville
9
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 291
17 mi·24 min·MO 291
Toward MO 291 South: Harrisonville
10
Continue on Cantrell Road
0.1 mi·19 sec·Cantrell Road
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
12
Merge onto I 49; US 71
2.8 mi·3 min·I 49; US 71
13
Take the exit onto MO 7
0.2 mi·19 sec·MO 7
Exit 157Toward MO 7 South: Clinton
14
Turn slight left onto MO 7
55 mi·1 hr 3 min·MO 7
Exit 157Toward MO 7 South: ClintonUse the left lane.
15
Continue on MO 13
68 mi·1 hr 19 min·MO 13
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis
17
Merge onto I 44
4.3 mi·5 min·Payne Stewart Highway
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 82AToward US 65 South: Branson
19
Merge onto US 65
8.3 mi·10 min·Schoolcraft Freeway
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·52 sec
Toward US 60 East: Cabool
21
Merge onto US 60
82 mi·1 hr 35 min·US 60
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60
35 mi·41 min·US 60
Toward US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff
23
Turn left onto MO 19
0.7 mi·1 min·MO 19
24
Turn right onto MO H
74 ft·2 sec·MO H
25
Arrive at destination
MO H
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 145.4 miles from East Independence, MO, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.9 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 64 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.4 miles or 3h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Winona, 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 290.9 miles and 5h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from East Independence, 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 US 60 for about 116.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 145.4 mi from East Independence, MO
· 3h into the drive
The midpoint is around 145.4 miles from East Independence, 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 116.9 miles.
Arriving in Winona, MO
The final approach into Winona, 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 Winona, 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 170.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.48 one way
$90.96 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$49.93
$99.87
premium
$4.89
$55.98
$111.96
diesel
$5.61
$64.23
$128.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
18 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Tesla Destination Charger
Springfield, Missouri
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Dynamic Charging Station
Springfield, Missouri
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Springfield, Missouri
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Springfield, Missouri
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Springfield, Missouri
Tesla
1 DCFC
Mercedes-Benz Charging Station
Springfield, Missouri
Other
1 DCFC
Dynamic EVC Charging Station
Springfield, Missouri
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Springfield, Missouri
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 8
Other: 4
Tesla Destination: 2
Tesla: 2
EV Connect: 1
Blink: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.3
1
$30.54
$13.96
Efficient EV
72.7
0
$25.45
$11.64
EV Truck/SUV
116.4
1
$40.73
$18.62
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% 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 18, 2026
Origin
East Independence, MO
Late night
in East Independence on Saturday
Local time
2:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Mostly Cloudy
NNW 10 to 14 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Winona, MO
Late night
in Winona on Saturday
Local time
2:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Billings, MO
145 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
14 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
5h 53m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Winona, MO covers 290.9 miles and takes about 5h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 60, MO 13, 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 145.4 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 $45.48 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 290.9 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: near the start (Main Road): Navigation decision point; at 12 miles (MO 291): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.3 miles (MO 291): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between East Independence, MO and Winona, MO, road signs point toward Harrisonville, Saint Louis and Poplar Bluff.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
