Drive Time
6h 21m
Distance
391.9 mi
631 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$58
one way
Photo: Ever Rayan
The drive from Malden, MO to Independence, MO covers 391.9 miles and takes about 6h 21m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Madison Street, West Main Street, North Douglas Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $58.18 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
195.9 miles from Malden, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 10m into the drive .
Expect a 6h 21m drive with frequent turns across 391.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
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.
Very easy — mostly straight driving
Navigation is easy, but the length (6h 21m) means fatigue is the real challenge. The route is 0% highway with very few tricky spots.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Malden, MO to Independence, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Madison Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Douglas Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 55 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Rosa Parks Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 270 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 64 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 64 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Malden, MO and Independence, MO.
Start on West Laclede Street
Turn left onto South Madison Street
Turn left onto West Main Street
Turn right onto North Douglas Street
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Douglas Street
Take the ramp slight right
Continue straight
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
Merge slight left
Keep slight left
Continue on Rosa Parks Highway
Take the exit slight right toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
Keep slight left to continue on I 270 West: Kansas City
Continue on I 270 West
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
Keep slight left to continue on I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
Continue on I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
Take the exit slight left toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Take the exit slight right toward Noland Road
Turn right onto South Noland Road
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 195.9 miles or 3h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Independence, MO than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Malden, 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 Malden, MO
This is one driving day of about 391.9 miles and 6h 21m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 195.9 mi from Malden, MO · 3h 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
196 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.
A short stop after about 86 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 195.9 miles from Malden, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$58.18 one way
$116.37 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $65.62 | $131.24 |
| premium | $4.65 | $71.81 | $143.61 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $81.84 | $163.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 137.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 117.6 | 1 | $41.15 | $18.81 |
| Efficient EV | 98 | 1 | $34.29 | $15.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 156.8 | 1 | $54.87 | $25.08 |
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Malden on Saturday
Local time
12:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Independence on Saturday
Local time
12:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
56°F
East Saint Louis, IL
196 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Malden, MO or browse trips ending in Independence, MO.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.
Explore maps for Malden, MO or Independence, MO on MapSof.net.
