Trip from Malden, MO to Independence, MO

Drive Time

7h 54m

Distance

412 mi

663 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$63

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Malden, MO

ShotPot

Independence, MO

Ever Rayan

Trip Overview

Traveling from Malden to Independence covers 412 miles across Missouri, a journey that typically takes 7 hours and 54 minutes. Because this is a significant distance, you should plan for a full day on the road if you intend to complete it in one go. You will spend roughly $63 on fuel, so factor that into your travel budget before heading out. The route utilizes a mix of major arteries, including I-55, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. While it is possible to tackle this in a single day, be prepared for a long stint behind the wheel as you navigate from the southeastern corner of the state toward the Kansas City area.

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

206 miles from Malden, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 59m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition between high-speed interstate travel and local highway stretches. About 36% of your journey consists of highway driving, which offers a reliable pace for a large portion of your trip. Your longest uninterrupted segment is a 129-mile stretch on I-55, providing a predictable rhythm before you transition onto other regional roadways. The drive requires steady focus as you navigate the changing road types, shifting from the efficiency of the interstate to the more varied conditions of the Dwight D. Eisenhower and U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial highways. It is an honest, straightforward trek that demands patience to cover the distance efficiently.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 129 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 172.4 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 412 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 172.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 172.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

172.4 mi into trip | ~3h 16m in

Take the exit toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago

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 196 Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chi...

172.6 mi into trip | ~3h 17m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 West: Kansas City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 270 West: Kansas City

184.9 mi into trip | ~3h 32m in

Take the exit toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis

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 12 Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Lo...

185 mi into trip | ~3h 33m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Went...

211 mi into trip | ~4h 5m in | US 40

Take the exit onto US 40 toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Exit 1A Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City

Towns Along This Route

Between Malden, MO and Independence, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.

Chicago

172.4 mi in | ~3h 16m

Saint Louis

184.9 mi in | ~3h 32m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 55	129 mi	2h 18m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway	80.7 mi	1h 35m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway	54.4 mi	58m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway	54.3 mi	58m
Avenue of the Saints	25.4 mi	30m
North Douglas Street	18.2 mi	27m
I 270	11.5 mi	14m
US 60	7.1 mi	8m

Longest stretch: I 55 — 129 mi, about 2h 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Malden, MO and Independence, MO.

Start on West Laclede Street

63 ft · 8 sec · West Laclede Street

Turn left onto MO 25 Business

442 ft · 14 sec · South Madison Street

Turn left onto MO 25 Business

0.2 mi · 28 sec · West Main Street

Turn right onto MO 25 Business

2.3 mi · 4 min · North Douglas Street

At end of road, turn left onto MO 25

16 mi · 23 min · North Douglas Street

Take the ramp

16 mi · 18 min

Continue on US 60

7.1 mi · 8 min · US 60

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Exit 1B Toward I 55 North: Saint Louis

Merge onto I 55

27 mi · 29 min · I 55

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

102 mi · 1 hr 49 min · I 55

Continue on I 55

1.3 mi · 1 min · Rosa Parks Highway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Exit 196 Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

388 ft · 8 sec

Toward I 270 West: Kansas City Use the slight left lane.

Continue on this road

0.7 mi · 1 min · this road

Exit 196 Toward I 270 West

Merge onto I 270

11 mi · 14 min · I 270

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 17 sec

Exit 12 Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 48 sec

Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville Use the slight left lane.

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 9 sec · this road

Exit 12 Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville

Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61

25 mi · 30 min · Avenue of the Saints

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto US 40

0.6 mi · 1 min · US 40

Exit 1A Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 70; US 40

81 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

2.0 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.6 mi · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

54 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

52 mi · 56 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 70

2.7 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 70

1.4 mi · 1 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Exit 12 Toward Noland Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto South Noland Road

3.0 mi · 5 min · South Noland Road

Turn left onto East Walnut Street

466 ft · 22 sec · East Walnut Street

Turn right onto South Lynn Street

394 ft · 22 sec · South Lynn Street

Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue

145 ft · 6 sec · East Kansas Avenue

Arrive at destination

East Kansas Avenue

Trip Plan

To manage the nearly eight-hour drive comfortably, aim for an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic build-up later in the day. You should plan for at least two designated stops to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $63 budget in mind as you monitor gas prices along the route. Since the drive is substantial, pace yourself by utilizing the stops to break up the longest stretches of highway. A practical tip for this specific route is to keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 129-mile I-55 segment, as finding convenient exits can be spaced out. By staying flexible with your timing, you can make the long haul to Independence feel much more manageable.

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 206 miles from Malden, MO, or about 3h 59m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129 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 91 miles or 1h 49m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 206 miles or 3h 59m 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 46m

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 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Malden, MO

This is one driving day of about 412 miles and 7h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Malden, 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 I 55 for about 129 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 206 mi from Malden, MO · 3h 59m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

East Saint Louis, IL

206 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

Campton, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 91 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Alton, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 206 miles from Malden, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129 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.

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

$62.58 one way

$125.16 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 144 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$68.99	$137.97
premium	$4.80	$77.78	$155.55
diesel	$5.64	$91.53	$183.06

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$63

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$88–$113

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 144.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	123.6	1	$43.26	$19.78
Efficient EV	103	1	$36.05	$16.48
EV Truck/SUV	164.8	2	$57.68	$26.37

Gas CO2

144 kg

EV CO2

48 kg (67% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Malden, MO

Afternoon in Malden on Sunday

Local time

2:22 PM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Independence, MO

Afternoon in Independence on Sunday

Local time

2:22 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°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

14 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

7h 54m 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 Malden, MO to Independence, MO covers 412 miles and takes about 7h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 55, Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 206 miles from Malden, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $62.58 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.

Between Malden, MO and Independence, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.

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Return Trip

Independence, MO to Malden, MO

Plan the drive back the other way.

411.2 mi 7h 52m

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Trip from Malden, MO to Independence, MO

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Independence, MO

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Malden, MO

Independence, MO

Same local time

14 degrees cooler at arrival

7h 54m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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