Origin
Washington, MO
Evening in Washington on Wednesday
Local time
5:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Washington, MO to East Independence, MO
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
4h 3m
Distance
205.9 mi
331 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 50m
★
6 AM
4h 3m
8 AM
4h 29m
10 AM
4h 12m
12 PM
4h 10m
3 PM
4h 14m
5 PM
4h 28m
8 PM
3h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Washington, MO
Valeria Boltneva
East Independence, MO
Momo King
Trip Overview
This 205.9-mile drive from Washington, MO to East Independence, MO is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 4 hours and 3 minutes. It's an ideal one-day trip, keeping you on the road for a manageable amount of time. The majority of your travel, 86% highway share, will be on I-70, with portions on Franklin Avenue and South Little Blue Parkway. Expect a fuel cost of around $32 for this Midwest-to-Midwest excursion. This route offers a practical way to get from point A to point B without needing an overnight stop.
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
102.9 miles from Washington, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m into the drive .
Drive Character
Primarily a highway-focused drive, this route spends 86% of its mileage on interstates, ensuring a consistent pace for most of your journey. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 176.4 miles on I-70, which means extended periods of consistent driving. While I-70 forms the backbone, the inclusion of Franklin Avenue and South Little Blue Parkway suggests a slight shift in environment as you approach your destination. The character is largely about efficiency, with the open road of the interstate dominating the driving experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 Franklin Avenue. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near MO 47 / Franklin Avenue.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 3m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (MO 47 / Franklin Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
MO 47 / Franklin Avenue
Turn left onto MO 47 / Franklin Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
24.1 mi into trip
|
~37m 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...
8
200.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 52m 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...
4
202.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 55m in
|
East R.D. Mize Road
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
Navigation decision point
5
205.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 3m in
|
East 9th Street South
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
Navigation decision point
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 Washington, MO to East Independence, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Jonesburg along the way.
Jonesburg
24.1 mi in
|
~37m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 176.4 mi | 3h 14m |
| Franklin Avenue | 23.4 mi | 35m |
| South Little Blue Parkway | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| South Jackson Drive | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Holke Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| East Truman Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West 3rd Street | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| 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 Washington, MO and East Independence, MO.
1
Start on West 3rd Street
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West 3rd Street
2
Turn left onto MO 47
23 mi
·
35 min
·
Franklin Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia, Jonesburg
4
Merge onto I 70; US 40
176 mi
·
3 hr 14 min
·
I 70; US 40
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 17
Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance
Use the slight right lane.
6
Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Little Blue Parkway
7
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
East R.D. Mize Road
8
Turn right onto South Jackson Drive
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Jackson Drive
9
Turn straight onto Holke Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Holke Road
10
Turn left onto East Truman Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Truman Road
11
Turn right onto Main Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Road
12
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
79 ft
·
3 sec
·
East 9th Street South
13
Arrive at destination
East 9th Street South
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, starting your trip in the morning is recommended to allow ample time for any brief stops you might need. With a fuel cost estimated at $32, it’s a budget-friendly option for a single day. The longest stretch without a major road change is 176.4 miles on I-70, so be prepared for extended highway driving. While this route is designed for a single day, the relatively short distance means you have flexibility if you decide to linger longer at your starting point or make an unscheduled stop. Keep an eye on I-70 for potential traffic, especially as you get closer to the Independence area.
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 102.9 miles from Washington, MO, or about 2h 4m 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 45 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.9 miles or 2h 4m 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 17m
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 Washington, 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 Washington, MO
This is one driving day of about 205.9 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Washington, 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 102.9 mi from Washington, MO · 2h 4m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
103 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 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 102.9 miles from Washington, 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
$32.19 one way
$64.38 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
72 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $35.34 | $70.69 |
| premium | $4.89 | $39.62 | $79.25 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $45.46 | $90.92 |
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: 72 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.8 | 0 | $21.62 | $9.88 |
| Efficient EV | 51.5 | 0 | $18.02 | $8.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82.4 | 1 | $28.83 | $13.18 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Destination
East Independence, MO
Evening in East Independence on Wednesday
Local time
5:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Centralia, MO
103 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 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 3m 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 Washington, MO to East Independence, MO covers 205.9 miles and takes about 4h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 70, Franklin Avenue, 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 102.9 miles from Washington, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.19 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 3m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (MO 47 / Franklin Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 200.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Washington, MO to East Independence, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Jonesburg along the way.
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Return Trip
East Independence, MO to Washington, MOPlan the drive back the other way.
205.9 mi
4h 3m
Continue From East Independence, MO
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