Origin
Fulton, MO
Afternoon in Fulton on Thursday
Local time
1:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fulton, MO to Independence, MO
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 44m
Distance
143.2 mi
231 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 34m
★
6 AM
2h 44m
8 AM
3h 6m
10 AM
2h 52m
12 PM
2h 50m
3 PM
2h 53m
5 PM
3h 5m
8 PM
2h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fulton, MO
Yaroslav Shuraev
Independence, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 143.2-mile journey from Fulton to Independence, Missouri, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking about 2 hours and 44 minutes. You'll primarily navigate local roads, indicated by a 0% highway share, so expect a more turn-heavy experience. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $22, making it an economical option. Given its relatively short distance and local road profile, this route is ideal for a relaxed day trip, allowing you ample flexibility. You'll be staying within the Midwest region throughout your travels.
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
71.6 miles from Fulton, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 44m. Total distance: 143.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
This route offers a turn-heavy local drive experience, with no highway segments to speak of. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 62.7 miles along the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. As you make your way from Fulton to Independence, expect a more engaging driving style, navigating through various local roads and junctions. This isn't a monotonous interstate cruise; rather, it's a drive that keeps you connected to the landscape through its more intricate path.
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.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 62.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West 4th Street.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Fulton, MO to Independence, MO is easy. At 2h 44m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 14.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West 4th Street
Turn right onto West 4th Street
Navigation decision point
6
14.9 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
7
139.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
Take the exit toward Noland Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12
Toward Noland Road
5
143.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m in
|
South Lynn Street
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
Navigation decision point
5
143.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m in
|
East Kansas Avenue
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 62.7 mi | 1h 8m |
| U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway | 54.4 mi | 58m |
| Martin Luther King Junior Drive | 10.2 mi | 14m |
| MO J | 4.3 mi | 6m |
| South Noland Road | 3 mi | 5m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway | 2 mi | 2m |
| Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 62.7 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fulton, MO and Independence, MO.
1
Start on Court Street
24 ft
·
3 sec
·
Court Street
2
Turn right onto West 4th Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West 4th Street
3
Continue on MO F
10 mi
·
14 min
·
Martin Luther King Junior Drive
4
Continue on MO J
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
MO J
5
Turn right onto MO J
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
MO J
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
7
Merge onto I 70; US 40
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
9
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
10
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi
·
58 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
52 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
13
Continue on I 70
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
14
Continue on I 70
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 12
Toward Noland Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
South Noland Road
17
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
466 ft
·
22 sec
·
East Walnut Street
18
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
394 ft
·
22 sec
·
South Lynn Street
19
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
145 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Kansas Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
East Kansas Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 143.2-mile drive, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to enjoy the journey and arrive in Independence comfortably. Since it's a local road-heavy route, consider planning for more frequent, brief stops rather than one long break. The estimated fuel cost of $22 is quite reasonable, but it's always wise to ensure you have a full tank before departing Fulton. Keep an eye on your navigation, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests you'll be making numerous turns, so a reliable GPS is a must.
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 71.6 miles from Fulton, MO, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.7 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 32 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.6 miles or 1h 23m 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 13m
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 Fulton, 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 Fulton, MO
This is one driving day of about 143.2 miles and 2h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Fulton, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 62.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 71.6 mi from Fulton, MO · 1h 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 71.6 miles from Fulton, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.7 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.39 one way
$44.78 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.58 | $49.16 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.56 | $55.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.62 | $63.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43 | 0 | $15.04 | $6.87 |
| Efficient EV | 35.8 | 0 | $12.53 | $5.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.3 | 0 | $20.05 | $9.16 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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
Independence, MO
Afternoon in Independence on Thursday
Local time
1:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°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
18 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
2h 44m 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 Fulton, MO to Independence, MO covers 143.2 miles and takes about 2h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, Martin Luther King Junior Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71.6 miles from Fulton, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.39 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.
The drive from Fulton, MO to Independence, MO is easy. At 2h 44m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 14.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fulton, MO to Independence, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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