Origin
Independence, MO
Night in Independence on Tuesday
Local time
10:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Independence, MO to Bethany, MO
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
7h 57m
Distance
390.9 mi
629 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$61
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 49m
★
6 AM
7h 58m
8 AM
8h 15m
10 AM
8h 4m
12 PM
8h 2m
3 PM
8h 5m
5 PM
8h 14m
8 PM
7h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Independence, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Bethany, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Independence, MO to Bethany, MO covers 390.9 miles and takes about 7h 57m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 60, MO 13, MO 7 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 177.3 miles on US 60. At current regular gas prices, budget about $61.11 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
195.4 miles from Independence, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 50m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 7h 57m highway drive covering 390.9 miles, with most of the trip on US 60 and MO 13. The longest continuous stretch is about 177.3 miles on US 60.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 60 is the longest continuous segment at about 177.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 60 and MO 13. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 390.9 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: 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; at 16.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
6
262.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 8m in
|
US 60
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60 toward US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff
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 Bethany, MO, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Poplar Bluff.
Saint Louis
166.8 mi in
|
~3h 14m
Poplar Bluff
262.4 mi in
|
~5h 8m
|
via US 60
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 60 | 177.3 mi | 3h 28m |
| MO 13 | 68 mi | 1h 19m |
| MO 7 | 55.6 mi | 1h 4m |
| I 49 | 26 mi | 28m |
| MO 53 | 19.6 mi | 29m |
| Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| Schoolcraft Freeway | 8.3 mi | 10m |
| MO J | 5.2 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
US 60
— 177.3 mi, about 3h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence, MO and Bethany, 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
55 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
MO 7
Exit 157
Toward MO 7 South: Clinton
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on MO 13
68 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
MO 13
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis
18
Merge onto I 44
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Payne Stewart Highway
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 82A
Toward US 65 South: Branson
20
Merge onto US 65
8.3 mi
·
10 min
·
Schoolcraft Freeway
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
52 sec
Toward US 60 East: Cabool
22
Merge onto US 60
82 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
US 60
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60
90 mi
·
1 hr 46 min
·
US 60
Toward US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff
24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
US 60
25
Turn straight onto US 60 Business; US 67 Business
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Westwood Boulevard
26
Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
State Street
27
Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North Westwood Boulevard
28
Turn slight left
133 ft
·
7 sec
29
Turn slight left onto MO 53
20 mi
·
29 min
·
MO 53
30
Turn left onto MO J
5.2 mi
·
9 min
·
MO J
31
Turn left onto MO H
3.5 mi
·
8 min
·
MO H
32
Turn right onto County Road 102
0.8 mi
·
3 min
·
County Road 102
33
Arrive at destination
County Road 102
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 195.4 miles from Independence, MO, or about 3h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 177.3 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 86 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 195.4 miles or 3h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bethany, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Independence, MO
This is one driving day of about 390.9 miles and 7h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Independence, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 60 for about 177.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 195.4 mi from Independence, MO · 3h 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
195 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 86 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 195.4 miles from Independence, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 60 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 177.3 miles.
Arriving in Bethany, MO
The final approach into Bethany, 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 Bethany, 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
$61.11 one way
$122.23 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
137 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $67.10 | $134.20 |
| premium | $4.89 | $75.23 | $150.45 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $86.31 | $172.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 136.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 117.3 | 1 | $41.04 | $18.76 |
| Efficient EV | 97.7 | 1 | $34.20 | $15.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 156.4 | 1 | $54.73 | $25.02 |
Gas CO2
137 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Bethany, MO
Night in Bethany on Tuesday
Local time
10:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°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
10 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
7h 57m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 Bethany, MO covers 390.9 miles and takes about 7h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 60, MO 13, 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 195.4 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 $61.11 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 390.9 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.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 16.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Independence, MO and Bethany, MO, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Poplar Bluff.
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