Origin
Independence, MO
Afternoon in Independence on Friday
Local time
12:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Independence, MO to La Plata, MO
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 18m
Distance
164.6 mi
265 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 6m
★
6 AM
3h 18m
8 AM
3h 42m
10 AM
3h 27m
12 PM
3h 24m
3 PM
3h 28m
5 PM
3h 41m
8 PM
3h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Independence, MO
Wikimedia Commons
La Plata, MO
Valeria Boltneva
Trip Overview
The drive from Independence, MO to La Plata, MO covers 164.6 miles and takes about 3h 18m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, North Missouri Street, MO 291 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 129 miles on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.73 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
82.3 miles from Independence, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 18m. Total distance: 164.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 18m highway drive covering 164.6 miles, with most of the trip on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and North Missouri Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 129 miles on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway.
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.
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 129 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and North Missouri Street. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Lynn Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 164.6 miles you will encounter 15 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: near the start (South Lynn Street): Navigation decision point; at 3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 49 miles (MO 110): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese 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 left onto South Lynn Street
Navigation decision point
7
3 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Turn left toward MO 291 North: Liberty
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward MO 291 North: Liberty
6
49 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
|
MO 110
Take the exit onto MO 110 toward US 36, MO 110 East, I 35 Business: Cameron, Hamilton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 54
Toward US 36, MO 110 East, I 35 Business: Camer...
5
144.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
Take the exit toward US 63: Kirksville, Macon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 63: Kirksville, Macon
5
164.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m in
|
East Moore Street
Turn right onto East Moore Street
Navigation decision point
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 La Plata, MO, road signs point toward Hamilton and Macon.
Hamilton
49 mi in
|
~1h 3m
|
via MO 110
Macon
144.6 mi in
|
~2h 54m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Kansas City Expressway | 129 mi | 2h 26m |
| North Missouri Street | 19 mi | 21m |
| MO 291 | 8.3 mi | 11m |
| Lightburne Street | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| West US Highway 24 | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| East Clark Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North Noland Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Leonard Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
— 129 mi, about 2h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence, MO and La Plata, MO.
1
Start on East Kansas Avenue
145 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Kansas Avenue
2
Turn left onto South Lynn Street
406 ft
·
19 sec
·
South Lynn Street
3
Turn right onto East Lexington Avenue
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
East Lexington Avenue
4
Turn left onto North Noland Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Noland Road
5
Turn right onto US 24
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
West US Highway 24
6
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward MO 291 North: Liberty
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto MO 291
8.3 mi
·
11 min
·
MO 291
8
Turn slight right
409 ft
·
8 sec
9
Turn slight right onto South Leonard Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Leonard Street
10
Continue on Lightburne Street
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Lightburne Street
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
12
Merge onto I 35; MO 110
34 mi
·
36 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
13
Take the exit onto MO 110
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
MO 110
Exit 54
Toward US 36, MO 110 East, I 35 Business: Cameron, Hamilton
14
Turn right onto US 36; MO 110
95 mi
·
1 hr 50 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward US 63: Kirksville, Macon
16
Turn left onto US 63
19 mi
·
21 min
·
North Missouri Street
17
Take the exit
100 ft
·
4 sec
18
Turn left onto MO 156
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Clark Street
19
Turn right onto South Gex Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
South Gex Street
20
Turn right onto East Moore Street
20 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Moore Street
21
Arrive at destination
East Moore 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 82.3 miles from Independence, MO, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129 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 36 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.3 miles or 1h 42m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near La Plata, 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 164.6 miles and 3h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 Chicago-Kansas City Expressway for about 129 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 82.3 mi from Independence, MO · 1h 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 82.3 miles from Independence, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Chicago-Kansas City Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129 miles.
Arriving in La Plata, MO
The final approach into La Plata, 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 La Plata, MO.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.73 one way
$51.47 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.25 | $56.51 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.68 | $63.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.34 | $72.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.4 | 0 | $17.28 | $7.90 |
| Efficient EV | 41.2 | 0 | $14.40 | $6.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.8 | 0 | $23.04 | $10.53 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
La Plata, MO
Afternoon in La Plata on Friday
Local time
12:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
New York, MO
82 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
4 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 18m 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 Independence, MO to La Plata, MO covers 164.6 miles and takes about 3h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, North Missouri Street, 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 82.3 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 $25.73 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 164.6 miles you will encounter 15 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: near the start (South Lynn Street): Navigation decision point; at 3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 49 miles (MO 110): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Independence, MO and La Plata, MO, road signs point toward Hamilton and Macon.
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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