Origin
Marion, MO
Morning in Marion on Saturday
Local time
11:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Marion, MO to East Independence, MO
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 27m
Distance
122.9 mi
198 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 18m
★
6 AM
2h 28m
8 AM
2h 48m
10 AM
2h 35m
12 PM
2h 33m
3 PM
2h 36m
5 PM
2h 47m
8 PM
2h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Marion, MO
Anna Guerrero
East Independence, MO
Momo King
Trip Overview
This 122.9-mile journey from Marion, MO to East Independence, MO is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 2 hours and 27 minutes to complete. Expect a fuel cost of around $19 for this drive through the Midwest. The route primarily utilizes Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, with a portion on MO 179, offering a practical connection between these two Missouri locations. Its character is more of a turn-heavy local drive than a high-speed interstate cruise, so factor that into your timing. With no recommended stops, this trip is straightforward to plan and execute within a single day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
61.5 miles from Marion, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 122.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (24%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
The drive from Marion to East Independence is characterized by its frequent turns, indicating a less direct, more involved driving experience. While 24% of the route is on highways, you'll encounter a significant amount of local road navigation. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 52.5 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, offering a brief period of more consistent travel. As you progress, expect the road conditions to vary, shifting between faster highway sections and more intricate local road segments, requiring your attention throughout the 2-hour and 27-minute journey.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 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 52.5 miles.
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. The trickiest moment comes around 28.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Marion, MO to East Independence, MO is easy. At 2h 27m with 24% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 28.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 117.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.7 miles (East R.D. Mize Road): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
28.3 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 West: Kansas City
Navigation decision point
Toward I 70 West: Kansas City
8
117.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
Take the exit toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance
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 17
Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall E...
4
119.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m in
|
East R.D. Mize Road
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
Navigation decision point
4
119.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m in
|
South Jackson Drive
Turn right onto South Jackson Drive
Navigation decision point
5
122.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m in
|
East 9th Street South
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 52.5 mi | 56m |
| U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway | 36.8 mi | 39m |
| MO 179 | 14.3 mi | 20m |
| MO 87 | 13.9 mi | 19m |
| South Little Blue Parkway | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| South Jackson Drive | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Holke Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| East Truman Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 52.5 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marion, MO and East Independence, MO.
1
Start on MO 179
14 mi
·
20 min
·
MO 179
2
Continue on MO 87
14 mi
·
19 min
·
MO 87
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 70 West: Kansas City
4
Merge onto I 70
37 mi
·
39 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
5
Continue on I 70; US 40
52 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 17
Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance
Use the slight right lane.
7
Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Little Blue Parkway
8
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
East R.D. Mize Road
9
Turn right onto South Jackson Drive
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Jackson Drive
10
Turn straight onto Holke Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Holke Road
11
Turn left onto East Truman Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Truman Road
12
Turn right onto Main Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Road
13
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
79 ft
·
3 sec
·
East 9th Street South
14
Arrive at destination
East 9th Street South
Trip Plan
Given this route is a manageable 122.9 miles and takes under 2.5 hours, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits your schedule. Aim to depart earlier in the day to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially as you navigate the turn-heavy sections. The estimated fuel cost is $19, so ensure your tank is full before you set off. While there are no official stops recommended, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is 52.5 miles, and it's always wise to plan for a brief break before or after that segment.
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 61.5 miles from Marion, MO, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.5 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 27 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.5 miles or 1h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Independence, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Marion, 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 Marion, MO
This is one driving day of about 122.9 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Marion, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 52.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61.5 mi from Marion, MO · 1h 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 61.5 miles from Marion, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in East Independence, MO
The final approach into East 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 East 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
$19.21 one way
$38.43 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.10 | $42.19 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.65 | $47.30 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.13 | $54.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.9 | 0 | $12.90 | $5.90 |
| Efficient EV | 30.7 | 0 | $10.75 | $4.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.2 | 0 | $17.21 | $7.87 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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
East Independence, MO
Morning in East Independence on Saturday
Local time
11:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Sunny
S 10 mph
2% chance
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
26 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
2h 27m 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 Marion, MO to East Independence, MO covers 122.9 miles and takes about 2h 27m 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 179. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 61.5 miles from Marion, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.21 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 Marion, MO to East Independence, MO is easy. At 2h 27m with 24% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 28.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 117.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.7 miles (East R.D. Mize Road): Navigation decision point.
The route from Marion, MO to East Independence, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From East Independence, MO
More from Marion, MO
More trips to East Independence, MO
Explore more options from Marion, MO or browse trips ending in East Independence, MO.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.