Drive Time
3h 33m
Distance
214.2 mi
345 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
Photo: Ever Rayan
The drive from Union, MO to Independence, MO covers 214.2 miles and takes about 3h 33m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East Park Avenue, North Church Street, East Independence Drive for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.53 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
107.1 miles from Union, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 33m drive with frequent turns across 214.2 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 33m 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 Union, MO to Independence, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Park Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Church Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Independence Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 70 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Clifton J | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Noland Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Noland Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Union, MO and Independence, MO.
Start on the route
Turn right onto East Park Avenue
Turn left onto North Church Street
Turn right onto East Independence Drive
Turn left
Take the ramp left toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia, Jonesburg
Merge slight left
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 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.1 miles or 1h 46m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Independence, MO than in the middle of the route.
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 214.2 miles and 3h 33m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 107.1 mi from Union, MO · 1h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 107.1 miles from Union, 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
$32.53 one way
$65.07 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $35.87 | $71.73 |
| premium | $4.80 | $40.44 | $80.87 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $47.59 | $95.18 |
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: 74.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.3 | 0 | $22.49 | $10.28 |
| Efficient EV | 53.6 | 0 | $18.74 | $8.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.7 | 1 | $29.99 | $13.71 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Night in Union on Saturday
Local time
10:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Night in Independence on Saturday
Local time
10:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
55°F
Quincy, IL
107 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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