Origin
Rich Hill, MO
Morning in Rich Hill on Wednesday
Local time
10:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rich Hill, MO to East Independence, MO
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 33m
Distance
73.2 mi
118 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 27m
★
6 AM
1h 34m
8 AM
1h 48m
10 AM
1h 39m
12 PM
1h 37m
3 PM
1h 40m
5 PM
1h 47m
8 PM
1h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rich Hill, MO
cottonbro studio
East Independence, MO
Momo King
Trip Overview
This straightforward 73.2-mile drive from Rich Hill, MO, to East Independence, MO, can be completed in about 1 hour and 33 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. With 96% of the journey on highways, it's a highly efficient route focused on getting you to your destination. The estimated fuel cost is a budget-friendly $11, so you won't need to worry about breaking the bank on gas. This trip stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel throughout. It's a practical option for a quick journey between these two Missouri locations, ideal for those prioritizing speed and simplicity.
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
36.6 miles from Rich Hill, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 40m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 73.2-mile trip, with 96% of the route utilizing major roads like I-49, MO-291, and MO-58. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 39.4 miles on I-49, indicating long periods of consistent speed. This profile suggests a drive characterized by efficient travel rather than winding backroads. As you progress, the character remains predominantly highway, making it a predictable and direct journey without many sudden changes in road type or speed.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 49 is the longest continuous segment at about 39.4 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,027 ft
760 ft
Total Climb
401 ft
Total Descent
369 ft
Highest Point
1,027 ft
~57.5 mi in
Elevation Range
267 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 49 and MO 291. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.2 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 40.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City
5
40.4 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Take the exit toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 160
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
6
40.5 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
5
57.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
MO 291
Take the exit onto MO 291 toward US 50 East, MO 291 North: Sedalia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 50 East, MO 291 North: Sedalia
7
57.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
|
MO 291
Take the exit onto MO 291 toward MO 291 North: Independence, Hamblen Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward MO 291 North: Independence, Hamblen Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 49 | 39.4 mi | 42m |
| MO 291 | 22.4 mi | 32m |
| MO 58 | 8.5 mi | 11m |
| East Truman Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| East Walnut Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Main Road | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| 7th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Park Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 49
— 39.4 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rich Hill, MO and East Independence, MO.
1
Start on Park Street
117 ft
·
10 sec
·
Park Street
2
Turn left onto 7th Street
390 ft
·
19 sec
·
7th Street
3
Turn right onto MO A
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Walnut Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City
5
Merge onto I 49; US 71
39 mi
·
42 min
·
I 49; US 71
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 160
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
7
Keep slight right at fork
243 ft
·
6 sec
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
8
Merge onto MO 291
8.3 mi
·
12 min
·
MO 291
9
Turn slight left onto MO 58; MO 291
8.5 mi
·
11 min
·
MO 58; MO 291
10
Take the exit onto MO 291
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
MO 291
Toward US 50 East, MO 291 North: Sedalia
11
Take the exit onto MO 291
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
MO 291
Toward MO 291 North: Independence, Hamblen Road
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn left
300 ft
·
7 sec
13
Continue on MO 291
13 mi
·
18 min
·
MO 291
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward East Truman Road
15
At end of road, turn left onto East Truman Road
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Truman Road
16
Turn left onto Main Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Road
17
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
79 ft
·
3 sec
·
East 9th Street South
18
Arrive at destination
East 9th Street South
Trip Plan
Given this drive is only 73.2 miles and takes just over an hour and a half, you have a lot of flexibility. You could easily start your trip in the morning and be at your destination by lunchtime. There are no designated stops, but with a drive this short, you can easily pull off if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; while the estimated cost is only $11, knowing where the last services are before the 39.4-mile stretch on I-49 could be helpful. This route is designed for efficiency, so plan for minimal delays.
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 36.6 miles from Rich Hill, MO, or about 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.4 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 73.2 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.6 miles or 40m 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 16m
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 Rich Hill, 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 Rich Hill, MO
This is one driving day of about 73.2 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Rich Hill, 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 I 49 for about 39.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.6 mi from Rich Hill, MO · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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 73.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.6 miles from Rich Hill, 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
$11.44 one way
$22.89 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.57 | $25.13 |
| premium | $4.89 | $14.09 | $28.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.16 | $32.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22 | 0 | $7.69 | $3.51 |
| Efficient EV | 18.3 | 0 | $6.41 | $2.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.25 | $4.68 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 Wednesday
Local time
10:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°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
23 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
1h 33m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Rich Hill, MO to East Independence, MO covers 73.2 miles and takes about 1h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 49, MO 291, MO 58. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.6 miles from Rich Hill, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.44 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 73.2 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 40.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Rich Hill, MO to East Independence, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 760 ft to 1,027 ft elevation with about 401 ft of total climbing.
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