Origin
Union, MO
Evening in Union on Sunday
Local time
5:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Union, MO to East Independence, MO
Drive Time
4h 13m
Distance
212.7 mi
342 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 1m
★
6 AM
4h 14m
8 AM
4h 40m
10 AM
4h 23m
12 PM
4h 20m
3 PM
4h 24m
5 PM
4h 39m
8 PM
4h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Union, MO
Tien Nguyen
East Independence, MO
Ankit Rainloure
Trip Overview
Connecting Union to East Independence spans 212.7 miles across the Missouri landscape. Expect a travel time of approximately 4 hours and 13 minutes, making this a very manageable single-day excursion. You will primarily utilize I-70 for the bulk of your journey, supplemented by MO 47 and South Little Blue Parkway. With an estimated fuel cost of $32, the trip is budget-friendly and straightforward for most drivers. Because the duration is relatively short, you likely won't need to book an overnight stay unless you prefer a leisurely pace. This route serves as a practical, efficient path between these two Midwest locations.
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
106.3 miles from Union, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with 98% of your journey spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will quickly settle into a rhythm on I-70, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 176.4 miles. While the experience is dominated by the interstate, transitioning onto MO 47 and South Little Blue Parkway provides a necessary change of pace as you reach the final legs of the trip. Do not expect technical winding roads; instead, prepare for a consistent, steady cruise that prioritizes speed and efficiency. Staying focused is key during that primary 176-mile interstate block where the terrain remains largely consistent.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 70 is the longest continuous segment at about 176.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and MO 47. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Park Avenue.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 13m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Park Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Park Avenue
Turn right onto East Park Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
MO 47
Turn left onto MO 47
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
30.9 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia, Jonesburg
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia, Jonesbu...
5
31.1 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
I 70; US 40
Merge onto I 70; US 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
207.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 2m in
Take the exit toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 17
Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall E...
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Union, MO to East Independence, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Jonesburg along the way.
Jonesburg
30.9 mi in
|
~48m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 176.4 mi | 3h 14m |
| MO 47 | 29.9 mi | 45m |
| South Little Blue Parkway | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| South Jackson Drive | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Holke Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| North Church Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Truman Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Main Road | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 176.4 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union, MO and East Independence, MO.
1
Start on this road
62 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto East Park Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
East Park Avenue
3
Turn left onto North Church Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Church Street
4
Turn right onto MO A
206 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Independence Drive
5
Turn left onto MO 47
30 mi
·
45 min
·
MO 47
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia, Jonesburg
7
Merge onto I 70; US 40
176 mi
·
3 hr 14 min
·
I 70; US 40
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 17
Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Little Blue Parkway
10
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
East R.D. Mize Road
11
Turn right onto South Jackson Drive
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Jackson Drive
12
Turn straight onto Holke Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Holke Road
13
Turn left onto East Truman Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Truman Road
14
Turn right onto Main Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Road
15
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
79 ft
·
3 sec
·
East 9th Street South
16
Arrive at destination
East 9th Street South
Trip Plan
Since this is a straightforward four-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, as the long interstate stretch can be monotonous. Keep your fuel budget of $32 in mind, but aim to top off before hitting the major highway corridors to avoid premium station pricing. If you find yourself hitting heavy traffic as you approach East Independence, utilize the South Little Blue Parkway to navigate the final approach more effectively. Taking a brief break halfway through will help you stay sharp for the final transition off the interstate.
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 106.3 miles from Union, MO, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 176.4 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 80 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.3 miles or 2h 11m 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 26m
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 Union, 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 Union, MO
This is one driving day of about 212.7 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Union, 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 I 70 for about 176.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 106.3 mi from Union, MO · 2h 11m 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 106.3 miles from Union, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 176.4 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.31 one way
$64.61 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $35.61 | $71.23 |
| premium | $4.80 | $40.15 | $80.31 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $47.25 | $94.51 |
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: 74.4 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 | 63.8 | 0 | $22.33 | $10.21 |
| Efficient EV | 53.2 | 0 | $18.61 | $8.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.1 | 1 | $29.78 | $13.61 |
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
East Independence, MO
Evening in East Independence on Sunday
Local time
5:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
55°F
Quincy, IL
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
7 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 13m 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 Union, MO to East Independence, MO covers 212.7 miles and takes about 4h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 70, MO 47, South Little Blue Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 106.3 miles from Union, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.31 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 straightforward 4h 13m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Park Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Union, MO to East Independence, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Jonesburg along the way.
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