Trip from Independence, MO to Cabool, MO

Drive Time

4h 52m

Distance

248 mi

399 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Independence, MO

Ever Rayan

Cabool, MO

Collab Media

Trip Overview

Spanning 248 miles across the heart of Missouri, this drive takes you from Independence down to Cabool in just under five hours. You will spend the vast majority of your time on highways, with a total highway share of 91% making this a highly efficient trip. Because the total duration is roughly 4h 52m, it works perfectly as a single-day journey, meaning there is no need to worry about booking overnight accommodation. Budgeting approximately $38 for fuel should cover your needs for the entire distance. This route is an ideal choice if you are looking for a straightforward, highway-focused transition between these two Midwestern locations.

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

124 miles from Independence, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a consistent, highway-focused experience as you navigate primarily via MO 13, US 60, and MO 7. You will find that the roads are built for steady progress, highlighted by a notable 68-mile uninterrupted stretch along MO 13 that allows you to settle into a comfortable cruising rhythm. While the drive is efficient, the road personality remains functional rather than technical, prioritizing speed and connectivity over winding backroads. As you transition between these Missouri locales, the high percentage of highway usage ensures you spend less time idling in traffic and more time moving toward your destination. It is a reliable, predictable drive that minimizes the stress of complex navigation.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

MO 13 is the longest continuous segment at about 68 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,287 ft 747 ft

Total Climb

663 ft

Total Descent

410 ft

Highest Point

1,287 ft

~248 mi in

Elevation Range

540 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 13 and US 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near South Noland Road.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 248 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: at 0.2 miles (South Noland Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Noland Road

Turn right onto South Noland Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

7.3 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the exit toward I 435 South: Wichita

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 8A Toward I 435 South: Wichita

16 mi into trip | ~21m in

Take the exit toward I 49 South, US 71 South, I 470 East, US 50 East: Joplin, Lee's Summit

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 71 Toward I 49 South, US 71 South, I 470 East, US...

16.6 mi into trip | ~21m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 49, I 470, US 50 East, US 71 South: Joplin, Lee's Summit

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 49, I 470, US 50 East, US 71 South: Jo...

16.8 mi into trip | ~22m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none lane. Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin

Towns Along This Route

Between Independence, MO and Cabool, MO, road signs point toward Lee's Summit and Saint Louis.

Lee's Summit

16 mi in | ~21m

Saint Louis

166.8 mi in | ~3h 14m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
MO 13	68 mi	1h 19m
US 60	66.8 mi	1h 18m
MO 7	55.6 mi	1h 4m
I 49	26 mi	28m
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway	8.3 mi	9m
Schoolcraft Freeway	8.3 mi	10m
Payne Stewart Highway	4.3 mi	5m
South Noland Road	3 mi	4m

Longest stretch: MO 13 — 68 mi, about 1h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on East Kansas Avenue

145 ft · 8 sec · East Kansas Avenue

Turn right onto South Lynn Street

394 ft · 22 sec · South Lynn Street

Turn left onto East Walnut Street

466 ft · 25 sec · East Walnut Street

Turn right onto South Noland Road

3.0 mi · 4 min · South Noland Road

Use the none lane.

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Toward I 70 West: Kansas City

Continue on I 70

2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 70

1.1 mi · 1 min · George Brett Super Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Exit 8A Toward I 435 South: Wichita Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 435

8.3 mi · 9 min · Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 45 sec

Exit 71 Toward I 49 South, US 71 South, I 470 East, US 50 East: Joplin, Lee's Summit Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 12 sec

Toward I 49, I 470, US 50 East, US 71 South: Joplin, Lee's Summit Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin Use the none lane.

Merge onto I 49; US 71

26 mi · 28 min · I 49; US 71

Use the none lane.

Take the exit onto MO 7

0.2 mi · 19 sec · MO 7

Exit 157 Toward MO 7 South: Clinton

Turn slight left onto MO 7

55 mi · 1 hr 3 min · MO 7

Exit 157 Toward MO 7 South: Clinton Use the left lane.

Continue on MO 13

68 mi · 1 hr 19 min · MO 13

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis

Merge onto I 44

4.3 mi · 5 min · Payne Stewart Highway

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec

Exit 82A Toward US 65 South: Branson

Merge onto US 65

8.3 mi · 10 min · Schoolcraft Freeway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 52 sec

Toward US 60 East: Cabool

Merge onto US 60

67 mi · 1 hr 18 min · US 60

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Toward MO 181: Cabool

Turn left onto MO 181

0.4 mi · 44 sec · Peabody Avenue

Continue on MO 181

0.2 mi · 24 sec · South Elm Street

Turn right onto US 60 Business

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Ozark Street

Turn left

120 ft · 8 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a sub-five-hour trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule, though leaving early in the morning helps you avoid mid-day fatigue. With only one recommended stop planned, try to time your break near the midpoint of the 248-mile journey to keep your energy levels consistent. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $38 estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and local gas prices along the highway corridors. Because you will spend most of your time on major routes like US 60, stay alert for changing speed limits as you pass through smaller towns. Planning for a single, well-timed rest stop will make this nearly five-hour trek feel much shorter and more manageable.

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 124 miles from Independence, MO, or about 2h 24m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68 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 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 124 miles or 2h 24m 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 59m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cabool, 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 248 miles and 4h 52m.

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 MO 13 for about 68 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 124 mi from Independence, MO · 2h 24m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Billings, MO

124 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

Warsaw, MO

Fuel and coffee

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

Nevada, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 124 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 MO 13 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68 miles.

Arriving in Cabool, MO

The final approach into Cabool, 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 Cabool, 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

$37.67 one way

$75.34 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 87 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$41.53	$83.05
premium	$4.80	$46.82	$93.63
diesel	$5.64	$55.10	$110.19

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$38

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 86.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	74.4	0	$26.04	$11.90
Efficient EV	62	0	$21.70	$9.92
EV Truck/SUV	99.2	1	$34.72	$15.87

Gas CO2

87 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 1 day ago

Origin

Independence, MO

Afternoon in Independence on Sunday

Local time

2:25 PM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SSE 5 to 13 mph 24% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Destination

Cabool, MO

Afternoon in Cabool on Sunday

Local time

2:25 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms

S 9 mph 23% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Along the Route

56°F

Billings, MO

124 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

2 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

4h 52m 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 Independence, MO to Cabool, MO covers 248 miles and takes about 4h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are MO 13, US 60, 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 124 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 $37.67 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.

Between Independence, MO and Cabool, MO, road signs point toward Lee's Summit and Saint Louis.

Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 747 ft to 1,287 ft elevation with about 663 ft of total climbing.

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Return Trip

Cabool, MO to Independence, MO

Plan the drive back the other way.

238.8 mi 4h 51m

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Trip from Independence, MO to Cabool, MO

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Cabool, MO

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Independence, MO

Cabool, MO

Same local time

2 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 52m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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