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Trip from Independence, MO to High Ridge, MO

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 41m

Distance

238.5 mi

384 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 28m ★
6 AM
4h 42m
8 AM
5h 9m
10 AM
4h 51m
12 PM
4h 48m
3 PM
4h 53m
5 PM
5h 7m
8 PM
4h 34m

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

Downtown High Ridge, MO, MO

High Ridge, MO

Marta Branco

Trip Overview

The drive from Independence, MO to High Ridge, MO covers 238.5 miles and takes about 4h 41m 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, Avenue of the Saints for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 135.3 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.29 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

119.3 miles from Independence, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 12m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 135.3 mi 2h 34m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway 54.4 mi 58m
Avenue of the Saints 22 mi 26m
MO 141 8.5 mi 13m
South Noland Road 3.1 mi 5m
MO 30 3 mi 4m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway 2.6 mi 3m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway 1.9 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 135.3 mi, about 2h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Independence, MO and High Ridge, 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

81 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15

Take the exit onto US 40

0.3 mi · 33 sec · US 40
Exit 210A Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
16

Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61

22 mi · 26 min · Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Exit 22 Toward MO 141 Use the slight right lane.
18

Turn right

185 ft · 5 sec
Toward MO 141: Manchester
19

Merge onto MO 141

8.5 mi · 13 min · MO 141
Use the right lane.
20

Turn right onto Hawkins Road

1.6 mi · 3 min · Hawkins Road
21

Continue on New Sugar Creek Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · New Sugar Creek Road
22

Take the ramp

182 ft · 2 sec
Toward MO 30 West
23

Merge onto MO 30

3.0 mi · 4 min · MO 30
24

Take the exit

147 ft · 5 sec
Toward High Ridge Boulevard
25

Turn straight onto High Ridge Boulevard

0.8 mi · 1 min · High Ridge Boulevard
26

Turn right

194 ft · 19 sec
27

At end of road, turn left

151 ft · 10 sec
28

Arrive at destination

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 119.3 miles from Independence, MO, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.3 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 52 miles or 59m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 119.3 miles or 2h 12m 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 42m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near High Ridge, 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 238.5 miles and 4h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 135.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Wright City, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wright City, MO

119 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

Warrensburg, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Columbia, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 119.3 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 135.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Café Verona

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Independence, Missouri

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18168330044

Visit website

Cafe Berlin

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbia, Missouri

1.6 mi

Cafe Poland by Iwona

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbia, Missouri

1.9 mi

Café Verona

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30

Independence, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18168330044

Visit website

Cafe Berlin

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 119.3

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+15734410400

Visit website

Cafe Poland by Iwona

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 119.3

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 5–8 pm

+17024270048

Visit website

Cajun Crab House Seafood Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 119.3

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 3–8 pm

+15732346277

Visit website

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Independence, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18167955520

Visit website

The Wolf Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 221.5

Ballwin, Missouri

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+16365277027

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 119.3

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 204.4

Lake St Louis, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 119.3

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 119.3

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 119.3

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

2.1 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 119.3

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 136.3

Kingdom City, Missouri

+15733106020

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 136.3

Kingdom City, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 223.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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
200.8 mi into trip | ~3h 48m in | US 40

Take the exit onto US 40 toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield

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

Exit 210A Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Ches...
7
223.1 mi into trip | ~4h 15m in

Take the exit toward MO 141

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 22 Toward MO 141

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.29 one way

$74.57 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 83 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $40.94 $81.88
premium $4.89 $45.90 $91.79
diesel $5.61 $52.66 $105.32

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$37

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 83.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 71.6 0 $25.04 $11.45
Efficient EV 59.6 0 $20.87 $9.54
EV Truck/SUV 95.4 1 $33.39 $15.26

Gas CO2

83 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (66% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Independence, MO

Afternoon in Independence on Saturday

Local time

1:39 PM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

High Ridge, MO

Afternoon in High Ridge on Saturday

Local time

1:39 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°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

16 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

4h 41m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

238.5 mi in 4h 41m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.

Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 135.3 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Lynn Street.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 238.5 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: 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.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 41m. Total distance: 238.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 135.3 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at High Ridge, MO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at High Ridge, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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