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Trip from Independence, MO to Oakland, MO

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

Drive Time

4h 3m

Distance

187.9 mi

302 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Sparse

1 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 50m ★
6 AM
4h 3m
8 AM
4h 29m
10 AM
4h 12m
12 PM
4h 10m
3 PM
4h 13m
5 PM
4h 28m
8 PM
3h 55m

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 Oakland, MO, MO

Oakland, MO

Robert So

Trip Overview

The drive from Independence, MO to Oakland, MO covers 187.9 miles and takes about 4h 3m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on MO 7, US 65, MO 64 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 46.7 miles on MO 7. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.38 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

93.9 miles from Independence, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
MO 7 46.7 mi 54m
US 65 31.5 mi 40m
MO 64 31.2 mi 43m
East Division Road 27.6 mi 37m
I 49 26 mi 28m
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway 8.3 mi 9m
MO 32 5.1 mi 8m
South Noland Road 3 mi 4m
Longest stretch: MO 7 — 46.7 mi, about 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Independence, MO and Oakland, 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

3.0 mi · 4 min · South Noland Road
5

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 70 West: Kansas City
6

Continue on I 70

2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
7

Continue on I 70

1.1 mi · 1 min · George Brett Super Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Exit 8A Toward I 435 South: Wichita Use the slight right lane.
9

Merge onto I 435

8.3 mi · 9 min · Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

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.
11

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.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
13

Merge onto I 49; US 71

26 mi · 28 min · I 49; US 71
14

Take the exit onto MO 7

0.2 mi · 19 sec · MO 7
Exit 157 Toward MO 7 South: Clinton
15

Turn slight left onto MO 7

39 mi · 44 min · MO 7
Exit 157 Toward MO 7 South: Clinton Use the left lane.
16

Turn left onto MO 7

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Ohio Street
17

Continue on MO 7

28 mi · 37 min · East Division Road
18

Take the ramp onto MO 7

7.3 mi · 9 min · MO 7
Toward MO 7 South, MO 65 South: Springfield
19

Continue on US 65

32 mi · 40 min · US 65
20

Turn left onto MO 64

31 mi · 43 min · MO 64
Use the straight / left lanes.
21

Turn left onto MO 32

5.1 mi · 8 min · MO 32
22

Turn right onto MO B

2.0 mi · 4 min · MO B
23

Turn right onto Evanston Road

172 ft · 7 sec · Evanston Road
24

Arrive at destination

Evanston Road

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 93.9 miles from Independence, MO, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.7 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 41 miles or 49m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 93.9 miles or 1h 52m 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 11m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oakland, 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 187.9 miles and 4h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 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 7 for about 46.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Warsaw, MO

94 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

Garden City, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Warsaw, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 93.9 miles from Independence, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Olive Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kansas City, Missouri

2.2 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

Olive Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 13.4

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+18167630009

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

Electrify America Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 174.5

Lebanon, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Meadowmere Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 26.8

Grandview, Missouri

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+18163164888

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 16.8 — 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

7
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
8
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...
8
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...
7
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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.38 one way

$58.75 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $32.25 $64.51
premium $4.89 $36.16 $72.32
diesel $5.61 $41.49 $82.97

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 65.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 56.4 0 $19.73 $9.02
Efficient EV 47 0 $16.44 $7.52
EV Truck/SUV 75.2 0 $26.31 $12.03

Gas CO2

66 kg

EV CO2

22 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Independence, MO

Afternoon in Independence on Saturday

Local time

12:33 PM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Oakland, MO

Afternoon in Oakland on Saturday

Local time

12:33 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

80°F

Warsaw, MO

94 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

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 3m 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?

187.9 mi in 4h 3m, mostly highway — 46.7 mi of that is on MO 7.

75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.7 mi on MO 7.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 7 and US 65. 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 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 187.9 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 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.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

On the drive from Independence, MO to Oakland, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Lee's Summit along the way.

Lee's Summit

16 mi in | ~21m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 3m. Total distance: 187.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 46.7 miles on MO 7. 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 Oakland, 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 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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Oakland, 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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