Origin
Hamilton, MO
Night in Hamilton on Wednesday
Local time
11:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hamilton, MO to Independence, MO
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 19m
Distance
62 mi
100 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 13m
★
6 AM
1h 19m
8 AM
1h 32m
10 AM
1h 24m
12 PM
1h 23m
3 PM
1h 24m
5 PM
1h 31m
8 PM
1h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hamilton, MO
Valeria Boltneva
Independence, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 62-mile drive from Hamilton to Independence, Missouri, can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 19 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll spend most of your time on highways, with 91% of the route being on these faster roads. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $10, which is quite budget-friendly. This route keeps you within the Midwest region, specifically within Missouri for its entirety, so you won't be crossing state lines. It's a practical option for a quick transition between these two Missouri towns.
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
31 miles from Hamilton, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 35m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this trip. With 91% of the 62 miles on highways like MO 110 and the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, you'll encounter mostly smooth, faster-paced driving. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll navigate is 33.9 miles on MO 110, offering a solid period of consistent travel. While the bulk of the journey is on these main roads, you'll transition to MO 291 as you approach your destination, offering a slight change in the road's character. This isn't a winding, scenic byway, but rather a direct and efficient path.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
MO 110 is the longest continuous segment at about 33.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 110 and Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 62 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.8 miles (MO 110): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.9 miles (Plattsburg Road): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward US 36 West, MO 110 West: Cameron
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 36 West, MO 110 West: Cameron
6
12.8 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
MO 110
Turn left onto MO 110 toward I 35 South, MO 110 West: Kansas City
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35 South, MO 110 West: Kansas City
5
46.9 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
Plattsburg Road
At end of road, turn left onto Plattsburg Road
Navigation decision point
6
59 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 24
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 24
5
61.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
|
East Kansas Avenue
Turn right onto East Kansas Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MO 110 | 33.9 mi | 36m |
| Chicago-Kansas City Expressway | 11.9 mi | 14m |
| MO 291 | 8.3 mi | 11m |
| Lightburne Street | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| US 24 | 2 mi | 4m |
| North Davis Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North Noland Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Leonard Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
MO 110
— 33.9 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hamilton, MO and Independence, MO.
1
Start on MO 13
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Davis Street
2
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
Toward US 36 West, MO 110 West: Cameron
3
Merge onto US 36; MO 110
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
4
Turn left onto MO 110
34 mi
·
36 min
·
MO 110
Toward I 35 South, MO 110 West: Kansas City
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
6
At end of road, turn left onto Plattsburg Road
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Plattsburg Road
7
Continue on Lightborne Road
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Lightborne Road
8
Continue on Lightburne Street
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Lightburne Street
9
Continue on South Leonard Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Leonard Street
10
Take the ramp
147 ft
·
2 sec
11
Merge onto MO 291
8.3 mi
·
11 min
·
MO 291
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward US 24
13
Keep slight right at fork
214 ft
·
6 sec
Toward US 24
14
Turn slight right onto US 24
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
US 24
15
Turn left onto North Noland Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Noland Road
16
Turn right onto East Lexington Avenue
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
East Lexington Avenue
17
Turn left onto South Lynn Street
406 ft
·
19 sec
·
South Lynn Street
18
Turn right onto East Kansas Avenue
145 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Kansas Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
East Kansas Avenue
Trip Plan
Given this is a short, 1-hour-and-19-minute drive, you have a lot of flexibility with when you depart. Leaving Hamilton in the morning or early afternoon is ideal to avoid any potential rush hour congestion as you near Independence. Since the longest stretch without a significant change is 33.9 miles, you likely won't need to plan for more than one quick stop for gas or a restroom break. The total fuel cost is estimated at just $10, so budget accordingly. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition onto MO 291 for the final leg into Independence.
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 31 miles from Hamilton, MO, or about 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.9 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 14 miles or 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31 miles or 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 3m
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 Hamilton, MO so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hamilton, MO
This is one driving day of about 62 miles and 1h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Hamilton, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on MO 110 for about 33.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 31 mi from Hamilton, MO · 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 31 miles from Hamilton, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.69 one way
$19.39 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $10.64 | $21.29 |
| premium | $4.89 | $11.93 | $23.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.69 | $27.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.6 | 0 | $6.51 | $2.98 |
| Efficient EV | 15.5 | 0 | $5.43 | $2.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.8 | 0 | $8.68 | $3.97 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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
Night in Independence on Wednesday
Local time
11:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
21 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 19m 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 Hamilton, MO to Independence, MO covers 62 miles and takes about 1h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MO 110, Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, MO 291. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 31 miles from Hamilton, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.69 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 62 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.8 miles (MO 110): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.9 miles (Plattsburg Road): Navigation decision point.
The route from Hamilton, MO to Independence, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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