Skip to main content

Trip from Richmond, MO to Independence, MO

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

49m

Distance

34.2 mi

55 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$5

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 12 min
4 AM
0h 45m ★
6 AM
0h 49m
8 AM
0h 57m
10 AM
0h 52m
12 PM
0h 51m
3 PM
0h 53m
5 PM
0h 57m
8 PM
0h 47m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in and county seat of Ray County, Missouri, United States

Richmond, MO

Wikimedia Commons

city in Jackson and Clay counties in Missouri, United States, that is one of two county seats in Jackson County

Independence, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Richmond, MO to Independence, MO covers 34.2 miles and takes about 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on MO 210, MO 291, US 24 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 23.6 miles on MO 210. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.35 one way before food or hotel costs.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 49m. Total distance: 34.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

49m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 49m highway drive covering 34.2 miles, with most of the trip on MO 210 and MO 291. The longest continuous stretch is about 23.6 miles on MO 210.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
MO 210 is the longest continuous segment at about 23.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 210 and MO 291. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near South Camden Street.

Driving Effort 7/10

Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a short but busy drive. With 13 decision points packed into just 34.2 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 49m.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (South Camden Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 26.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

4
0.7 mi into trip | ~2m in | South Camden Street

At end of road, turn right onto South Camden Street

Navigation decision point

4
1.1 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward MO 10 West: Excelsior Springs

Navigation decision point

Toward MO 10 West: Excelsior Springs
6
26.4 mi into trip | ~35m in

Turn left toward MO 291 South: Independence

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward MO 291 South: Independence
6
31.2 mi into trip | ~42m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 24

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 24
5
34.2 mi into trip | ~49m in | East Kansas Avenue

Turn right onto East Kansas Avenue

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
MO 210 23.6 mi 29m
MO 291 4.4 mi 6m
US 24 2 mi 4m
MO 10 1.6 mi 1m
South Camden Street 0.9 mi 2m
North Noland Road 0.6 mi 1m
East Lexington Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
West Main Street 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: MO 210 — 23.6 mi, about 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on MO 10 Business

0.1 mi · 26 sec · West Main Street
2

Turn left onto South Camden Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Camden Street
3

At end of road, turn right onto South Camden Street

0.4 mi · 53 sec · South Camden Street
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 33 sec
Toward MO 10 West: Excelsior Springs
5

Merge onto MO 10

1.5 mi · 1 min · MO 10
6

Keep slight left at fork onto MO 10

258 ft · 3 sec · MO 10
7

Continue on MO 210

24 mi · 29 min · MO 210
8

Turn left

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward MO 291 South: Independence Use the left lane.
9

Merge onto MO 291

4.4 mi · 6 min · MO 291
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward US 24
11

Keep slight right at fork

214 ft · 6 sec
Toward US 24
12

Turn slight right onto US 24

2.0 mi · 4 min · US 24
13

Turn left onto North Noland Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Noland Road
14

Turn right onto East Lexington Avenue

0.2 mi · 28 sec · East Lexington Avenue
15

Turn left onto South Lynn Street

406 ft · 19 sec · South Lynn Street
16

Turn right onto East Kansas Avenue

145 ft · 6 sec · East Kansas Avenue
17

Arrive at destination

East Kansas Avenue

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 17.1 mi from Richmond, MO · 23m into the drive

Downtown Liberty, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Liberty, MO

17 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

East Independence, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Excelsior Springs, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 17.1 miles from Richmond, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Independence, MO

Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Independence, MO if you are unfamiliar with the area.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$5.35 one way

$10.69 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 12 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $5.87 $11.74
premium $4.89 $6.58 $13.16
diesel $5.61 $7.55 $15.10

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$5

Estimated CO2 emission: 12 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 10.3 0 $3.59 $1.64
Efficient EV 8.6 0 $2.99 $1.37
EV Truck/SUV 13.7 0 $4.79 $2.19

Gas CO2

12 kg

EV CO2

4 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Richmond, MO

Morning in Richmond on Thursday

Local time

11:50 AM

CDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Independence, MO

Morning in Independence on Thursday

Local time

11:50 AM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

20 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

49m 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 Richmond, MO to Independence, MO covers 34.2 miles and takes about 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MO 210, MO 291, US 24. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.1 miles from Richmond, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.35 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 is a short but busy drive. With 13 decision points packed into just 34.2 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 49m.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (South Camden Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 26.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Richmond, MO to Independence, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Richmond, MO or browse trips ending in Independence, MO.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.

Explore maps for Richmond, MO or Independence, MO on MapSof.net.