Origin
Shell Knob, MO
Evening in Shell Knob on Tuesday
Local time
7:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Shell Knob, MO to Independence, MO
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
4h 15m
Distance
212.1 mi
341 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 2m
★
6 AM
4h 16m
8 AM
4h 42m
10 AM
4h 25m
12 PM
4h 22m
3 PM
4h 26m
5 PM
4h 41m
8 PM
4h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Shell Knob, MO
NGUYỄN THÀNH NHƠN
Independence, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Shell Knob, MO to Independence, MO covers 212.1 miles and takes about 4h 15m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Purple Heart Trail, I 44, State Highway 39 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 92.9 miles on Purple Heart Trail. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.16 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
106.1 miles from Shell Knob, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The drive from Shell Knob, MO to Independence, MO covers 212.1 miles and takes about 4h 15m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Purple Heart Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 92.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Farm Road 1230.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 212.1 miles you will encounter 15 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: near the start (Farm Road 1230): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 66.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 180.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Farm Road 1230
Turn sharp left onto Farm Road 1230
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
66.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
Take the exit toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Carthage, Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 18B
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Carthage, Kansa...
5
180.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 27m 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
180.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 28m 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
197.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 52m in
Take the exit toward US 50 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 50 West: Kansas City
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Shell Knob, MO to Independence, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Kansas City along the way.
Kansas City
66.4 mi in
|
~1h 25m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 92.9 mi | 1h 39m |
| I 44 | 27.9 mi | 29m |
| State Highway 39 | 24.1 mi | 32m |
| Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway | 10.5 mi | 11m |
| George Washington Carver Memorial Highway | 10.3 mi | 11m |
| North Carnation Drive | 9.4 mi | 14m |
| South Noland Road | 8.9 mi | 15m |
| MO 58 | 8.5 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 92.9 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shell Knob, MO and Independence, MO.
1
Start on Farm Road 1240
45 ft
·
9 sec
·
Farm Road 1240
2
Turn sharp left onto Farm Road 1230
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Farm Road 1230
3
Turn left onto MO 39
24 mi
·
32 min
·
State Highway 39
4
Continue on MO 39
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
South Elliott Avenue
5
Turn left onto MO 39; MO 265
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
East Olive Street
6
Continue on MO 39; MO 265
9.4 mi
·
14 min
·
North Carnation Drive
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 44 West: Joplin
8
Merge onto I 44
28 mi
·
29 min
·
I 44
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 18B
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Carthage, Kansas City
10
Merge onto I 49; US 71
10 mi
·
11 min
·
George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
11
Continue on I 49; US 71
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I 49; US 71
93 mi
·
1 hr 39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 160
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
14
Keep slight right at fork
243 ft
·
6 sec
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
15
Merge onto MO 291
8.3 mi
·
12 min
·
MO 291
16
Turn slight left onto MO 58; MO 291
8.5 mi
·
11 min
·
MO 58; MO 291
17
Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Southwest Jefferson Street
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward US 50 West: Kansas City
19
Merge onto US 50
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
US 50
20
Continue on MO 350
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Blue Parkway
21
Turn right onto MO V
5.9 mi
·
9 min
·
South Noland Road
22
Continue on South Noland Road
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
South Noland Road
23
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
466 ft
·
22 sec
·
East Walnut Street
24
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
394 ft
·
22 sec
·
South Lynn Street
25
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
145 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Kansas Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
East Kansas Avenue
Trip Plan
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 106.1 miles from Shell Knob, MO, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.9 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 80 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.1 miles or 2h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 20m
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 Shell Knob, 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 Shell Knob, MO
This is one driving day of about 212.1 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Shell Knob, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 92.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 106.1 mi from Shell Knob, MO · 2h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
106 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 106.1 miles from Shell Knob, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 92.9 miles.
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
$33.16 one way
$66.32 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $36.41 | $72.82 |
| premium | $4.89 | $40.82 | $81.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $46.83 | $93.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.6 | 0 | $22.27 | $10.18 |
| Efficient EV | 53 | 0 | $18.56 | $8.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84.8 | 1 | $29.69 | $13.57 |
Gas CO2
74 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.
Destination
Independence, MO
Evening in Independence on Tuesday
Local time
7:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Nevada, MO
106 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
9 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
4h 15m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Shell Knob, MO to Independence, MO covers 212.1 miles and takes about 4h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, I 44, State Highway 39. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 106.1 miles from Shell Knob, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.16 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 212.1 miles you will encounter 15 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: near the start (Farm Road 1230): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 66.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 180.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
On the drive from Shell Knob, MO to Independence, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Kansas City along the way.
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