This 223.4-mile drive from Roubidoux to East Independence, Missouri, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes to complete. You'll primarily be on MO 7, MO 17, and MO 5, with 91% of the journey on highways, making it a focused driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $35, this route is quite budget-friendly for a day trip. The drive stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel throughout. Consider this a straightforward option if you're looking to cover distance efficiently.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
111.7 miles from Roubidoux, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MO 7
108.1 mi
2h 21m
MO 17
29.5 mi
42m
MO 5
24.9 mi
29m
MO 291
22.4 mi
32m
I 44
9.9 mi
10m
MO 58
8.5 mi
11m
US Historic 66
6.3 mi
8m
MO F
4.6 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
MO 7
— 108.1 mi, about 2h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Roubidoux, MO and East Independence, MO.
1
Start on Flat Rock Road
0.1 mi·27 sec·Flat Rock Road
2
Turn left onto Roubidoux Road
310 ft·13 sec·Roubidoux Road
3
Turn slight right onto Gladden Road
3.0 mi·11 min·Gladden Road
4
At end of road, turn right onto MO M
0.8 mi·2 min·MO M
5
Turn left onto MO 17; MO 32
29 mi·42 min·MO 17; MO 32
6
Turn left
176 ft·8 sec
7
Turn left onto US Historic 66; MO AB
6.3 mi·8 min·US Historic 66; MO AB
8
Turn right onto MO AB
226 ft·3 sec·MO AB
9
Continue on MO 133
0.1 mi·17 sec·MO 133
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 44 West: Springfield
11
Merge onto I 44
9.9 mi·10 min·I 44
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 135Toward MO F: Sleeper
13
Turn right onto MO F; US Historic 66
2.3 mi·4 min·MO F; US Historic 66
14
Turn slight left onto MO F
2.3 mi·4 min·MO F
15
Continue on MO BB
2.4 mi·4 min·MO BB
16
At end of road, turn right onto MO 5
25 mi·29 min·MO 5
17
Turn left onto MO 7
37 mi·53 min·MO 7
18
Take the exit onto MO 7
0.3 mi·33 sec·MO 7
Toward MO 7 North: Warsaw, Clinton
19
Turn left onto MO 7
28 mi·38 min·MO 7
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on MO 7; MO 13; MO 52
39 mi·44 min·MO 7; MO 13; MO 52
21
Take the exit onto MO 7
3.3 mi·3 min·MO 7
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 160Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
23
Keep slight right at fork
243 ft·6 sec
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
24
Merge onto MO 291
8.3 mi·12 min·MO 291
25
Turn slight left onto MO 58; MO 291
8.5 mi·11 min·MO 58; MO 291
26
Take the exit onto MO 291
0.6 mi·52 sec·MO 291
Toward US 50 East, MO 291 North: Sedalia
27
Take the exit onto MO 291
0.2 mi·37 sec·MO 291
Toward MO 291 North: Independence, Hamblen RoadUse the slight right lane.
28
Turn left
300 ft·7 sec
29
Continue on MO 291
13 mi·18 min·MO 291
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward East Truman Road
31
At end of road, turn left onto East Truman Road
1.2 mi·2 min·East Truman Road
32
Turn left onto Main Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Main Road
33
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
79 ft·3 sec·East 9th Street South
34
Arrive at destination
East 9th Street South
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 10-minute duration, this route is perfectly manageable as a day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time for the drive and any unexpected delays. With only one recommended stop, you can be flexible with your breaks; however, ensure you're fueled up before heading out, as the longest stretch is over 100 miles. The estimated fuel cost is around $35, so budget accordingly. A specific tip for this drive is to check the condition of MO 7 before you leave, as it constitutes over half of your journey.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 111.7 miles from Roubidoux, MO, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.1 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 49 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.7 miles or 2h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 12m
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 Roubidoux, 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 Roubidoux, MO
This is one driving day of about 223.4 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Roubidoux, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on MO 7 for about 108.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 39.9 and 208.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
39.9 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Take the ramp toward I 44 West: Springfield
Navigation decision point
Toward I 44 West: Springfield
5
50.2 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward MO F: Sleeper
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 135
Toward MO F: Sleeper
5
119.7 mi into trip|~2h 53m in|MO 7
Take the exit onto MO 7 toward MO 7 North: Warsaw, Clinton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MO 7 North: Warsaw, Clinton
6
190.7 mi into trip|~4h 21m 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
7
208.1 mi into trip|~4h 46m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.93 one way
$69.85 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$38.35
$76.69
premium
$4.89
$42.99
$85.98
diesel
$5.61
$49.32
$98.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
1 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: sparse
InCharge Energy Charging Station
Camdenton, Missouri
InCharge
1 DCFC
InCharge: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67
0
$23.46
$10.72
Efficient EV
55.9
0
$19.55
$8.94
EV Truck/SUV
89.4
1
$31.28
$14.30
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Roubidoux, MO
Afternoon
in Roubidoux on Saturday
Local time
2:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
East Independence, MO
Afternoon
in East Independence on Saturday
Local time
2:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
80°F
Warsaw, MO
112 mi in
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
21 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
5h 10m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 91% of the 223.4 miles on faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 108.1 miles on MO 7, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While the primary roads are highways, the shift between MO 7, MO 17, and MO 5 will offer some variation in the immediate scenery and driving conditions. This route prioritizes getting you to your destination with minimal fuss.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
MO 7 is the longest continuous segment at about 108.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 7 and MO 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 39.9 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 223.4 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 39.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 50.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 119.7 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Roubidoux, MO and East Independence, MO, road signs point toward Mo F: Sleeper and Clinton.
Mo F: Sleeper
50.2 mi in|~1h 17m
Clinton
119.7 mi in|~2h 53m|via MO 7
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 10m. Total distance: 223.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Roubidoux, MO to East Independence, MO covers 223.4 miles and takes about 5h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MO 7, MO 17, MO 5. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 111.7 miles from Roubidoux, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.93 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 223.4 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 39.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 50.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 119.7 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Roubidoux, MO and East Independence, MO, road signs point toward Mo F: Sleeper and Clinton.
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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
