Origin
Odessa, MO
Afternoon in Odessa on Sunday
Local time
2:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Odessa, MO to Independence, MO
Drive Time
36m
Distance
28.8 mi
46 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 34m
★
6 AM
0h 37m
8 AM
0h 43m
10 AM
0h 39m
12 PM
0h 38m
3 PM
0h 39m
5 PM
0h 43m
8 PM
0h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Odessa, MO
Valeria Boltneva
Independence, MO
Ever Rayan
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion through Missouri, the 28.8-mile trek from Odessa to Independence is an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. You can expect to spend about 36 minutes behind the wheel, making this a straightforward commute across the Midwest. With a fuel budget of just $4, it is an incredibly cost-effective route for travelers looking to get from point A to point B without breaking the bank. Because the entire journey takes less than an hour, you do not need to worry about overnight logistics or complex planning. It serves as a practical, efficient connection between these two Missouri locales, allowing you plenty of time to enjoy your destination once you arrive.
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
14.4 miles from Odessa, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that transitions from highway speeds to more navigated stretches. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 19.9 miles. While the route involves a mix of the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway and South Noland Road, highway travel only makes up about three percent of the total journey. This means your experience will shift quickly from open road cruising to the more technical, localized driving conditions typical of a regional transit. Keep your focus sharp as you transition off the main highway, as the road character becomes significantly more hands-on as you approach Independence.
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 19.9 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,034 ft
877 ft
Total Climb
157 ft
Total Descent
59 ft
Highest Point
1,034 ft
~28.2 mi in
Elevation Range
157 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 28.8 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.4 miles (I 70; US 40 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
1.3 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 70; US 40 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge onto I 70; US 40 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
25.4 mi into trip
|
~30m 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
5
28.7 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
South Lynn Street
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
Navigation decision point
5
28.8 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
East Kansas Avenue
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 19.9 mi | 21m |
| South Noland Road | 3 mi | 5m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| West Old U.S. 40 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South 2nd Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Walnut Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Lynn Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 19.9 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Odessa, MO and Independence, MO.
1
Start on West Mason Street
31 ft
·
5 sec
·
West Mason Street
2
Turn right onto MO 131
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South 2nd Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto MO 131
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Old U.S. 40
4
Turn right onto MO 131
391 ft
·
13 sec
·
MO 131
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
6
Merge onto I 70; US 40
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on I 70
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on I 70
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 12
Toward Noland Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
South Noland Road
11
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
466 ft
·
22 sec
·
East Walnut Street
12
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
394 ft
·
22 sec
·
South Lynn Street
13
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
145 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Kansas Avenue
14
Arrive at destination
East Kansas Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 36-minute drive, you have total flexibility in your departure schedule, though avoiding peak traffic hours on local roads is always a smart move. Because the trip is so brief, you likely won't need to plan for any formal stops along the way. Keep your $4 fuel budget in mind when filling up, as you will likely only need a small amount of gas to cover the 28.8 miles. My best advice for this specific route is to pay close attention to your navigation when moving from the Eisenhower Highway onto South Noland Road, as the shift from high-speed transit to local streets happens quickly. Use this time-efficient route to maximize your afternoon, knowing you can easily make the return trip whenever you are ready.
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 14.4 miles from Odessa, MO, or about 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.9 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 28.8 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 14.4 miles or 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 29m
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 Odessa, 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 Odessa, MO
This is one driving day of about 28.8 miles and 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Odessa, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 19.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 14.4 mi from Odessa, MO · 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
14 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 28.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 14.4 miles from Odessa, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$4.37 one way
$8.75 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $4.82 | $9.64 |
| premium | $4.80 | $5.44 | $10.87 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.40 | $12.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.6 | 0 | $3.02 | $1.38 |
| Efficient EV | 7.2 | 0 | $2.52 | $1.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.5 | 0 | $4.03 | $1.84 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
Afternoon in Independence on Sunday
Local time
2:53 PM
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
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
28 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
36m 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 Odessa, MO to Independence, MO covers 28.8 miles and takes about 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, South Noland Road, Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14.4 miles from Odessa, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.37 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 28.8 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.4 miles (I 70; US 40 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Odessa, MO to Independence, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 877 ft to 1,034 ft elevation with about 157 ft of total climbing.
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