Greenfield, MO to Independence, MO is 148.6 miles and takes about 3h 4m via I 49 and US 160, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Missouri, moving through the Midwest region. It’s a straightforward trip, primarily on well-maintained highways, making it a practical choice for a single-day journey. You can expect a consistent pace for most of the drive, with minimal complexity in navigation. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to travel between these two Missouri points without significant detours.
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
74.3 miles from Greenfield, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 148.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
This route is heavily highway-focused, with an 84% highway share, offering a predominantly fast-paced driving experience. You'll encounter an uninterrupted stretch of 89.7 miles on I 49, which forms the backbone of this journey. While the majority of the drive is on interstates and major highways like US 160, you will transition onto Main Street as you approach your destination. This progression from open highway to more local roads is typical as you enter a town.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 49 is the longest continuous segment at about 89.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 49 and US 160. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near College Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 4m drive. You will face about 13 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 (College Street): Navigation decision point; at 27.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 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|College Street
Turn left onto College Street
Navigation decision point
5
27.1 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the ramp toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City
5
117 mi into trip|~2h 16m in
Take the exit toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 160
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
6
117.1 mi into trip|~2h 17m 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
5
134.1 mi into trip|~2h 41m in
Take the exit toward US 50 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 50 West: Kansas City
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 49
89.7 mi
1h 36m
US 160
13.2 mi
19m
Main Street
11.7 mi
16m
South Noland Road
8.9 mi
15m
MO 58
8.5 mi
11m
MO 291
8.3 mi
12m
US 50
2.7 mi
3m
Blue Parkway
2.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 49
— 89.7 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Greenfield, MO and Independence, MO.
1
Start on South Allison Avenue
160 ft·12 sec·South Allison Avenue
2
Turn left onto College Street
0.3 mi·1 min·College Street
3
Turn left onto US 160; MO 39
1.8 mi·2 min·Grand Avenue
4
Continue on US 160
13 mi·19 min·US 160
5
Turn left onto MO 37; MO 126
12 mi·16 min·Main Street
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·15 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City
7
Merge onto I 49; US 71
90 mi·1 hr 36 min·I 49; US 71
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 160Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
9
Keep slight right at fork
243 ft·6 sec
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
10
Merge onto MO 291
8.3 mi·12 min·MO 291
11
Turn slight left onto MO 58; MO 291
8.5 mi·11 min·MO 58; MO 291
12
Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·Southwest Jefferson Street
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward US 50 West: Kansas City
14
Merge onto US 50
2.7 mi·3 min·US 50
15
Continue on MO 350
2.5 mi·3 min·Blue Parkway
16
Turn right onto MO V
5.9 mi·9 min·South Noland Road
17
Continue on South Noland Road
3.1 mi·5 min·South Noland Road
18
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
466 ft·22 sec·East Walnut Street
19
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
394 ft·22 sec·South Lynn Street
20
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
145 ft·6 sec·East Kansas Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
East Kansas Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of about 3 hours, leaving Greenfield, MO in the morning allows ample time to reach Independence, MO well before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your pace. The longest stretch without a major road change is almost 90 miles on I 49, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you embark on this segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Independence, as the final approach involves more local streets.
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 74.3 miles from Greenfield, MO, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.7 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 33 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.3 miles or 1h 31m 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 24m
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 Greenfield, 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 Greenfield, MO
This is one driving day of about 148.6 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Greenfield, 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 I 49 for about 89.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 74.3 mi from Greenfield, MO
· 1h 31m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
George Washington Carver National Monument
National Monument
The young child known as the "Plant Doctor" tended his secret garden while observing the day-to-day operations of a 19th century farm. Nature and nurture ultimately influenced George on his quest for...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 25.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.23 one way
$46.46 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$25.51
$51.02
premium
$4.89
$28.60
$57.19
diesel
$5.61
$32.81
$65.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.6
0
$15.60
$7.13
Efficient EV
37.2
0
$13.00
$5.94
EV Truck/SUV
59.4
0
$20.80
$9.51
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Greenfield, MO
Evening
in Greenfield on Friday
Local time
6:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Independence, MO
Evening
in Independence on Friday
Local time
6:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Adrian, MO
74 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
19 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
3h 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 Greenfield, MO to Independence, MO covers 148.6 miles and takes about 3h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 49, US 160, Main Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 74.3 miles from Greenfield, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.23 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 4m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (College Street): Navigation decision point; at 27.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Greenfield, MO to Independence, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include George Washington Carver National Monument.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
