Drive Time
3h 20m
Distance
209.9 mi
338 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
Photo: Ever Rayan
The drive from Saint Paul, MO to Independence, MO covers 209.9 miles and takes about 3h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Saint Paul Road, Josephville Road, Highway A for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.88 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
105 miles from Saint Paul, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 20m drive with frequent turns across 209.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 20m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Saint Paul, MO to Independence, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Paul Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Josephville Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway A | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 70 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dwight D Eisenhower Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Sheriff Roger I | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway Patrol Sgt | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dwight D | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Paul, MO and Independence, MO.
Start on Hackmann Road
At the end of the road, turn left onto Saint Paul Road
Turn right
Turn left onto Josephville Road
At the end of the road, turn left onto Highway A
Take the ramp slight right toward I 70 West
Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Take the exit slight right toward Noland Road
Turn right onto South Noland Road
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105 miles or 1h 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 2h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Independence, MO than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Saint Paul, 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 Saint Paul, MO
This is one driving day of about 209.9 miles and 3h 20m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 105 mi from Saint Paul, MO · 1h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
105 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 105 miles from Saint Paul, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$31.88 one way
$63.76 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $35.15 | $70.29 |
| premium | $4.80 | $39.62 | $79.25 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $46.63 | $93.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63 | 0 | $22.04 | $10.08 |
| Efficient EV | 52.5 | 0 | $18.37 | $8.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84 | 1 | $29.39 | $13.43 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Saint Paul on Sunday
Local time
10:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Independence on Sunday
Local time
10:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
55°F
Quincy, IL
105 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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