Origin
Independence, MO
Evening in Independence on Wednesday
Local time
6:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Independence, MO to Taos, MO
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
1h 8m
Distance
52.7 mi
85 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 3m
★
6 AM
1h 9m
8 AM
1h 20m
10 AM
1h 12m
12 PM
1h 11m
3 PM
1h 13m
5 PM
1h 19m
8 PM
1h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Independence, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Taos, MO
Valeria Boltneva
Trip Overview
The drive from Independence, MO to Taos, MO covers 52.7 miles and takes about 1h 8m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Main Street, West Truman Road, I 435 North for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.24 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
26.4 miles from Independence, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 34m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 8m drive with frequent turns across 52.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Main 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.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Independence, MO to Taos, MO is easy. At 1h 8m 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 Taos, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Main Street | — | — |
| West Truman Road | — | — |
| I 435 North | — | — |
| Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway | — | — |
| I435 N | — | — |
| I 29 North | — | — |
| MO H | — | — |
| 371 Highway | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
South Main Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence, MO and Taos, MO.
1
Start on East Kansas Avenue
62 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Kansas Avenue
2
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.2 mi
·
49 sec
·
South Main Street
3
Turn left onto West Truman Road
3.9 mi
·
8 min
·
West Truman Road
4
Take the ramp right toward I 435 North, US 24 East: Claycomo, Des Moines
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
I 435 North, US 24 East: Claycomo, Des Moines
5
Merge slight left onto Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
6
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I435 N
7
Continue straight
21 mi
·
22 min
8
Keep slight left to continue on I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
13 mi
·
13 min
·
I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
9
Take the exit slight right toward MO H, MO Z: New Market, Dearborn
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
MO H, MO Z: New Market, Dearborn
10
Turn left onto MO H, MO Z: New Market, Dearborn
92 ft
·
6 sec
·
MO H, MO Z: New Market, Dearborn
11
Turn left
0.8 mi
·
1 min
12
At the end of the road, turn right onto 371 Highway
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
371 Highway
13
Turn left onto Southeast 116 Highway
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast 116 Highway
14
Turn right
1.5 mi
·
3 min
15
Turn right onto Southeast Taos Road
16 ft
·
1 sec
·
Southeast Taos Road
16
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 26.4 miles from Independence, MO, or about 34m 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 12 miles or 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 26.4 miles or 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Taos, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Independence, MO
This is one driving day of about 52.7 miles and 1h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 12 miles from Independence, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.4 mi from Independence, MO · 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.4 miles from Independence, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Taos, MO
The final approach into Taos, MO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.24 one way
$16.48 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.05 | $18.09 |
| premium | $4.89 | $10.14 | $20.28 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.64 | $23.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.8 | 0 | $5.53 | $2.53 |
| Efficient EV | 13.2 | 0 | $4.61 | $2.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.1 | 0 | $7.38 | $3.37 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Taos, MO
Evening in Taos on Wednesday
Local time
6:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
25 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
1h 8m 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 Taos, MO covers 52.7 miles and takes about 1h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Main Street, West Truman Road, I 435 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.4 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 $8.24 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Independence, MO to Taos, MO is easy. At 1h 8m 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 Taos, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Independence, MO to Taos, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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