Origin
Independence, MO
Late night in Independence on Friday
Local time
3:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Independence, MO to Monroe City, MO
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 42m
Distance
185.8 mi
299 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 30m
★
6 AM
3h 42m
8 AM
4h 7m
10 AM
3h 51m
12 PM
3h 48m
3 PM
3h 52m
5 PM
4h 6m
8 PM
3h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Independence, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Monroe City, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Independence, MO to Monroe City, MO covers 185.8 miles and takes about 3h 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Lynn Street, East Lexington Avenue, North Noland Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.05 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
92.9 miles from Independence, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 42m. Total distance: 185.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 42m drive with frequent turns across 185.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Lynn Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Independence, MO to Monroe City, MO is easy. At 3h 42m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Independence, MO to Monroe City, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Lynn Street | — | — |
| East Lexington Avenue | — | — |
| North Noland Road | — | — |
| Highway 24 | — | — |
| MO 291 North | — | — |
| South Leonard Street | — | — |
| Lightburne Street | — | — |
| Chicago-Kansas City Expressway | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
South Lynn Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence, MO and Monroe City, MO.
1
Start on East Kansas Avenue
144 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Kansas Avenue
2
Turn left onto South Lynn Street
407 ft
·
20 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 West US Highway 24
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
West US Highway 24
6
Turn left onto MO 291 North: Liberty
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
MO 291 North: Liberty
7
Merge slight left
8.3 mi
·
11 min
8
Turn slight right
410 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 slight right
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
12
Merge slight left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
34 mi
·
36 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
13
Take the exit slight right toward US 36, MO 110 East, I 35 Business: Cameron, Hamilton
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
US 36, MO 110 East, I 35 Business: Cameron, Hamilton
14
Turn right onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
135 mi
·
2 hr 36 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
15
Turn right onto Stoddard Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Stoddard Street
16
Turn right onto North Main Street
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
North Main Street
17
Arrive at your 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 92.9 miles from Independence, MO, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
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 92.9 miles or 1h 51m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monroe City, 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 185.8 miles and 3h 42m.
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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 92.9 mi from Independence, MO · 1h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 92.9 miles from Independence, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Monroe City, MO
The final approach into Monroe City, 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 Monroe City, 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
$29.05 one way
$58.10 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $31.89 | $63.79 |
| premium | $4.89 | $35.76 | $71.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.02 | $82.04 |
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 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.7 | 0 | $19.51 | $8.92 |
| Efficient EV | 46.5 | 0 | $16.26 | $7.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.3 | 0 | $26.01 | $11.89 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% 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
Monroe City, MO
Late night in Monroe City on Friday
Local time
3:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Chillicothe, MO
93 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
3 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 42m 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 Monroe City, MO covers 185.8 miles and takes about 3h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Lynn Street, East Lexington Avenue, North Noland Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 92.9 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 $29.05 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.
The drive from Independence, MO to Monroe City, MO is easy. At 3h 42m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Independence, MO to Monroe City, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Independence, MO to Monroe City, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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