Origin
University City, MO
Late night in University City on Wednesday
Local time
5:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from University City, MO to Independence, MO
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
4h 34m
Distance
235.5 mi
379 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 21m
★
6 AM
4h 34m
8 AM
5h 1m
10 AM
4h 44m
12 PM
4h 41m
3 PM
4h 45m
5 PM
5h 0m
8 PM
4h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
University City, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Independence, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from University City, MO to Independence, MO covers 235.5 miles and takes about 4h 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 70, South Noland Road, Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 221.6 miles on I 70. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.82 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
117.8 miles from University City, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 17m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 4h 34m highway drive covering 235.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 70 and South Noland Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 221.6 miles on I 70.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 221.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and South Noland Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 4.6 miles in near I 170 / Inner Belt Expressway.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 34m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.6 miles (I 170 / Inner Belt Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.4 miles (I 70): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
4.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 170 / Inner Belt Expressway
Merge onto I 170 / Inner Belt Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
6 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 7B
Toward I 70 West: Kansas City
5
6.4 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 70
Merge onto I 70
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
232.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 27m in
Take the exit toward Noland Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12
Toward Noland Road
5
235.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 34m in
|
South Lynn Street
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 221.6 mi | 4h 12m |
| South Noland Road | 3 mi | 5m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| North Hanley Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Inner Belt Expressway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| Olive Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Saint Charles Rock Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 221.6 mi, about 4h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between University City, MO and Independence, MO.
1
Start on Kingsland Avenue
173 ft
·
14 sec
·
Kingsland Avenue
2
Continue on Kingsland Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Kingsland Avenue
3
Turn left onto Olive Boulevard
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Olive Boulevard
4
Turn right onto Midland Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Midland Boulevard
5
Turn slight right onto North Hanley Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Hanley Road
6
Turn left onto MO 180
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Saint Charles Rock Road
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 170 North
8
Merge onto I 170
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Inner Belt Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 7B
Toward I 70 West: Kansas City
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Merge onto I 70
222 mi
·
4 hr 12 min
·
I 70
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on I 70
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
12
Continue on I 70
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 12
Toward Noland Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
South Noland Road
15
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
466 ft
·
22 sec
·
East Walnut Street
16
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
394 ft
·
22 sec
·
South Lynn Street
17
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
145 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Kansas Avenue
18
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 117.8 miles from University City, MO, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 221.6 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.8 miles or 2h 17m 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 43m
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 University City, 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 University City, MO
This is one driving day of about 235.5 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from University City, 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 221.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 117.8 mi from University City, MO · 2h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
118 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 117.8 miles from University City, 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 221.6 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.
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
$36.82 one way
$73.64 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
82 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $40.42 | $80.85 |
| premium | $4.89 | $45.32 | $90.64 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $52.00 | $103.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.6 | 0 | $24.73 | $11.30 |
| Efficient EV | 58.9 | 0 | $20.61 | $9.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94.2 | 1 | $32.97 | $15.07 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Independence, MO
Late night in Independence on Wednesday
Local time
5:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Quincy, IL
118 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
18 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 34m 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 University City, MO to Independence, MO covers 235.5 miles and takes about 4h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 70, South Noland Road, Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 117.8 miles from University City, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.82 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 34m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.6 miles (I 170 / Inner Belt Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.4 miles (I 70): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from University City, MO to Independence, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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