Origin
Liberty, MO
Late night in Liberty on Monday
Local time
3:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Liberty, MO to Independence, MO
Drive Time
3h 11m
Distance
157.4 mi
253 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 0m
★
6 AM
3h 11m
8 AM
3h 35m
10 AM
3h 20m
12 PM
3h 17m
3 PM
3h 21m
5 PM
3h 34m
8 PM
3h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Liberty, MO
Valeria Boltneva
Independence, MO
Ever Rayan
Trip Overview
Spanning 157.4 miles across the Missouri Midwest, this trip connects Liberty to Independence in roughly 3 hours and 11 minutes. While the distance is manageable for a single day, the turn-heavy nature of the local roads makes it a more engaged drive than a simple highway sprint. You should budget approximately $24 for fuel to complete the journey. Because both the origin and destination are located within the same region, you won't experience major geographic shifts, but the route offers a consistent regional perspective. It is an ideal day trip, allowing you to depart in the morning and reach your destination well before evening.
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
78.7 miles from Liberty, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a departure from typical highway travel, as this route is defined by a turn-heavy local profile rather than a monotonous interstate grind. With a 0% highway share, you will be navigating County Road 471 and MO F, which require your full attention behind the wheel. The journey lacks long, uninterrupted stretches, keeping the pace steady and requiring frequent navigation through local intersections. This configuration creates a distinct driving experience that feels more like a winding country excursion than a high-speed commute. Prepare for a hands-on drive where the rhythm of the road changes frequently as you transition between local road segments.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 62.7 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,034 ft
645 ft
Total Climb
390 ft
Total Descent
0 ft
Highest Point
1,034 ft
~161 mi in
Elevation Range
390 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near County Road 471.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 11m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (County Road 471): Navigation decision point; at 4.1 miles (MO BB): Navigation decision point; at 15.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 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
|
County Road 471
Turn left onto County Road 471
Navigation decision point
5
4.1 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
MO BB
At end of road, turn right onto MO BB
Navigation decision point
5
15.2 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Take the exit toward MO F: Millersburg, Fulton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MO F: Millersburg, Fulton
6
29.1 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
7
154 mi into trip
|
~3h 4m in
Take the exit toward Noland Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12
Toward Noland Road
Towns Along This Route
Between Liberty, MO and Independence, MO, road signs point toward Mo F: Millersburg and Fulton.
Mo F: Millersburg
15.2 mi in
|
~29m
Fulton
15.2 mi in
|
~29m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 62.7 mi | 1h 8m |
| U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway | 54.4 mi | 58m |
| MO F | 9.4 mi | 12m |
| US 54 | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| MO BB | 5.1 mi | 12m |
| MO J | 4.3 mi | 6m |
| MO PP | 4 mi | 9m |
| South Noland Road | 3 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 62.7 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Liberty, MO and Independence, MO.
1
Start on County Road 440
217 ft
·
15 sec
·
County Road 440
2
Turn left onto County Road 471
390 ft
·
18 sec
·
County Road 471
3
Turn left
4.0 mi
·
9 min
4
At the end of the road, turn right
5.1 mi
·
12 min
5
Turn right
5.9 mi
·
6 min
6
Take the exit slight right toward MO F: Millersburg, Fulton
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
MO F: Millersburg, Fulton
7
Turn left
9.4 mi
·
12 min
8
Continue straight
0.8 mi
·
1 min
9
Turn right
3.5 mi
·
4 min
10
Take the ramp left toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
11
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
12
Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
13
Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
14
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54 mi
·
58 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
16
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
52 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
17
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
18
Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
19
Take the exit slight right toward Noland Road
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Noland Road
20
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
South Noland Road
21
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
466 ft
·
23 sec
·
East Walnut Street
22
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
394 ft
·
23 sec
·
South Lynn Street
23
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
144 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Kansas Avenue
24
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a 3-hour and 11-minute drive, plan for at least one stop to break up the technical local segments and keep your focus sharp. Starting your trip during daylight hours is highly recommended, as the lack of highway infrastructure means you will be relying on smaller roads that may be less illuminated. Keep your fuel budget of $24 in mind and consider topping off your tank before leaving Liberty to avoid hunting for stations on less familiar local routes. Flexibility is a major advantage here, so feel free to adjust your pace to account for the winding nature of the roads. Prioritize your route navigation before you head out, as the frequent turns make real-time updates essential for staying on track.
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 78.7 miles from Liberty, MO, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.7 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 80 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.7 miles or 1h 43m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Independence, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Liberty, 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 Liberty, MO
This is one driving day of about 157.4 miles and 3h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Liberty, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 62.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 78.7 mi from Liberty, MO · 1h 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 78.7 miles from Liberty, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.7 miles.
Arriving in Independence, MO
The final approach into Independence, 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 Independence, 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
$23.91 one way
$47.81 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $26.36 | $52.71 |
| premium | $4.80 | $29.71 | $59.43 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $34.97 | $69.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.2 | 0 | $16.53 | $7.56 |
| Efficient EV | 39.4 | 0 | $13.77 | $6.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63 | 0 | $22.04 | $10.07 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Independence, MO
Late night in Independence on Monday
Local time
3:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 5 to 13 mph
24% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Along the Route
55°F
Quincy, IL
79 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
24 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
3h 11m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Liberty, MO to Independence, MO covers 157.4 miles and takes about 3h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, MO F. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 78.7 miles from Liberty, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.91 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 is a straightforward 3h 11m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (County Road 471): Navigation decision point; at 4.1 miles (MO BB): Navigation decision point; at 15.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Liberty, MO and Independence, MO, road signs point toward Mo F: Millersburg and Fulton.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 645 ft to 1,034 ft elevation with about 390 ft of total climbing.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Independence, MO
More from Liberty, MO
More trips to Independence, MO
Explore more options from Liberty, MO or browse trips ending in Independence, MO.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.
Explore maps for Liberty, MO or Independence, MO on MapSof.net.