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Trip from Independence, MO to Bowling Green, MO

Data updated 3 hours ago

Drive Time

3h 58m

Distance

201.2 mi

324 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

15 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 45m ★
6 AM
3h 58m
8 AM
4h 24m
10 AM
4h 7m
12 PM
4h 5m
3 PM
4h 9m
5 PM
4h 23m
8 PM
3h 51m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Jackson and Clay counties in Missouri, United States, that is one of two county seats in Jackson County

Independence, MO

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Pike County, Missouri, United States

Bowling Green, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Independence, MO to Bowling Green, MO covers 201.2 miles and takes about 3h 58m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, US 54 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 72.9 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.46 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

100.6 miles from Independence, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a 3h 58m drive with frequent turns across 201.2 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 25 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 72.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Lynn Street.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 3h 58m 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 (South Lynn Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (East Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 | South Lynn Street

Turn right onto South Lynn Street

Navigation decision point

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Walnut Street

Turn left onto East Walnut Street

Navigation decision point

6
3.3 mi into trip | ~6m in

Turn left toward I 70 East: Columbia, Saint Louis

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 70 East: Columbia, Saint Louis
6
138.4 mi into trip | ~2h 36m in

Take the exit toward US 54: Auxvasse, Mexico, Fulton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 148 Toward US 54: Auxvasse, Mexico, Fulton
5
167.1 mi into trip | ~3h 10m in | US 54; MO 19

Enter roundabout onto US 54; MO 19

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Independence, MO and Bowling Green, MO, road signs point toward Mexico and Fulton.

Mexico

138.4 mi in | ~2h 36m

Fulton

138.4 mi in | ~2h 36m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 72.9 mi 1h 22m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway 54.4 mi 58m
US 54 49.7 mi 1h 3m
East Liberty Street 10.3 mi 13m
South Noland Road 3.1 mi 5m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway 2.6 mi 3m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway 1.9 mi 2m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway 1.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 72.9 mi, about 1h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Independence, MO and Bowling Green, MO.

1

Start on East Kansas Avenue

145 ft · 8 sec · East Kansas Avenue
2

Turn right onto South Lynn Street

394 ft · 22 sec · South Lynn Street
3

Turn left onto East Walnut Street

466 ft · 25 sec · East Walnut Street
4

Turn right onto South Noland Road

3.1 mi · 5 min · South Noland Road
5

Turn left

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward I 70 East: Columbia, Saint Louis
6

Merge onto I 70

1.5 mi · 1 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
7

Continue on I 70

2.6 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
8

Continue on I 70

53 mi · 56 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
9

Continue on I 70; US 40

32 mi · 34 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

22 mi · 24 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
11

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
12

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.6 mi · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
13

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.9 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
14

Continue on I 70; US 40

19 mi · 23 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 148 Toward US 54: Auxvasse, Mexico, Fulton
16

Turn left onto US 54

18 mi · 20 min · US 54
17

At end of road, turn right onto US 54

10 mi · 13 min · East Liberty Street
18

Enter roundabout onto US 54; MO 19

221 ft · 2 sec · US 54; MO 19
19

Continue on US 54; MO 19

8.1 mi · 11 min · US 54; MO 19
20

Enter roundabout onto US 54

48 ft · 0 sec · US 54
21

Continue on US 54

23 mi · 31 min · US 54
22

Turn right

1.5 mi · 2 min
23

Turn right onto US 61 Business

0.6 mi · 56 sec · US 61 Business
24

Turn left onto West Main Street

0.4 mi · 59 sec · West Main Street
25

Arrive at destination

West Main Street

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 100.6 miles from Independence, MO, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.9 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 100.6 miles or 1h 51m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 8m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bowling Green, MO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving 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 Independence, MO

This is one driving day of about 201.2 miles and 3h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 72.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 100.6 mi from Independence, MO · 1h 51m into the drive

city in Missouri, United States, that is one of two county seats of Jackson County and the largest city in Missouri

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Kansas City, MO

101 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.

Popular next leg

Kansas City, MO to Bowling Green, MO

208.5 mi · 4h 6m

Pacing Suggestions

Kansas City, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Quincy, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 100.6 miles from Independence, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.9 miles.

Arriving in Bowling Green, MO

The final approach into Bowling Green, 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 Bowling Green, 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

$31.46 one way

$62.91 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 70 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $34.54 $69.07
premium $4.89 $38.72 $77.44
diesel $5.61 $44.42 $88.84

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 70.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

15 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center - Tesla Supercharger

Independence, MO

Tesla

14 DCFC

Hy-Vee - Tesla Supercharger

Columbia, MO

Tesla

12 DCFC

Blue Springs, MO Rechargery Relay - NE Coronado

Blue Springs, MO

IONNA

10 DCFC

Casey's General Store - Tesla Supercharger

Concordia, MO

Tesla

8 DCFC

Bandana's BBQ - Tesla Supercharger

Columbia, MO

Tesla

8 DCFC

The Holiday Inn - Columbia East - Tesla Supercharger

Columbia, MO

Tesla

8 DCFC

Columbia, MO

Columbia, MO

RIVIAN_ADVENTURE

6 DCFC

Target T1201 (Independence, MO)

Independence, MO

Electrify America

4 DCFC

Tesla: 5 Electrify America: 2 eVgo Network: 2 EV Connect: 2 Blink Network: 1 IONNA: 1 RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 1 ChargePoint Network: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 60.4 0 $21.13 $9.66
Efficient EV 50.3 0 $17.60 $8.05
EV Truck/SUV 80.5 1 $28.17 $12.88

Gas CO2

70 kg

EV CO2

24 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 hours ago

Origin

Independence, MO

Afternoon in Independence on Tuesday

Local time

3:03 PM

CDT

Current temp

86°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny

SSW 15 to 18 mph 16% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 14 at 11:11AM CDT until April 17 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 14 at 11:11AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Destination

Bowling Green, MO

Afternoon in Bowling Green on Tuesday

Local time

3:03 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

36 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 58m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Independence, MO to Bowling Green, MO covers 201.2 miles and takes about 3h 58m 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, US 54. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 100.6 miles from Independence, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.46 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 58m 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 (South Lynn Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (East Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Independence, MO and Bowling Green, MO, road signs point toward Mexico and Fulton.

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