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Trip from Belle, MO to Independence, MO

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 38m

Distance

187.8 mi

302 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 26m ★
6 AM
3h 39m
8 AM
4h 4m
10 AM
3h 47m
12 PM
3h 45m
3 PM
3h 49m
5 PM
4h 3m
8 PM
3h 31m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Maries and Osage counties in Missouri, United States

Belle, MO

Wikimedia Commons

city in Jackson and Clay counties in Missouri, United States, that is one of two county seats in Jackson County

Independence, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Belle, MO to Independence, MO is 187.8 miles and takes about 3h 38m via U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, and US 63, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, traveling across the Midwest region. Expect a drive that is mostly on surface roads, making it a more relaxed pace. It's a straightforward, single-day trip with minimal complexity, ideal for a quick transit between these two points.

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

93.9 miles from Belle, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 54m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway 54.4 mi 58m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 54.3 mi 58m
US 63 49.5 mi 58m
South Alvarado Avenue 10.5 mi 15m
MO E 6.2 mi 8m
South Noland Road 3 mi 5m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway 2.7 mi 3m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway 1.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway — 54.4 mi, about 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Belle, MO and Independence, MO.

1

Start on this road

138 ft · 11 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto MO 89

11 mi · 15 min · South Alvarado Avenue
3

Turn straight onto MO E

6.2 mi · 8 min · MO E
4

Merge onto US 63

21 mi · 27 min · US 63
5

Take the exit onto US 63

0.3 mi · 40 sec · US 63
Toward US 54 East, US 63 North: Fulton, Columbia
6

Merge onto US 54; US 63

1.4 mi · 1 min · US 54; US 63
7

Take the exit onto US 63

28 mi · 30 min · US 63
Toward US 63 North: Columbia
8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 70, US 40, MO PP: Kansas City, Saint Louis Use the left / straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on US 63 Conn

0.2 mi · 31 sec · US 63 Conn
Use the straight lane.
10

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City Use the left lane.
11

Merge onto I 70; US 40

1.3 mi · 1 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
12

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.6 mi · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
13

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
14

Continue on I 70; US 40

54 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
15

Continue on I 70; US 40

52 mi · 56 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
16

Continue on I 70

2.7 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
17

Continue on I 70

1.4 mi · 1 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 12 Toward Noland Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Turn right onto South Noland Road

3.0 mi · 5 min · South Noland Road
20

Turn left onto East Walnut Street

466 ft · 22 sec · East Walnut Street
21

Turn right onto South Lynn Street

394 ft · 22 sec · South Lynn Street
22

Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue

145 ft · 6 sec · East Kansas Avenue
23

Arrive at destination

East Kansas Avenue

Trip Plan

With a duration of under four hours, this trip is easily doable in a single day. Aim to leave in the morning to maximize your daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. You'll have one stop suggested along the way, but with only 187.8 miles, you can be flexible with breaks. The fuel cost is estimated at $29, so ensure you have enough gas before you start, especially since much of the route is on surface roads where fuel stations might be less frequent. Pay attention to the transition from highway driving to surface roads around the 54.4-mile mark on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway.

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 93.9 miles from Belle, MO, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.4 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 41 miles or 55m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 93.9 miles or 1h 54m 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 58m

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 Belle, 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 Belle, MO

This is one driving day of about 187.8 miles and 3h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Belle, 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 U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway for about 54.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Columbia, MO

94 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

Jefferson City, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New Franklin, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 93.9 miles from Belle, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Café Verona

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Independence, Missouri

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.1 mi from route $20 to $30

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18168330044

Visit website

Cafe Poland by Iwona

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbia, Missouri

1.9 mi

Cafe Berlin

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbia, Missouri

1.9 mi

Café Verona

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route $20 to $30

Independence, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18168330044

Visit website

Cafe Poland by Iwona

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 5–8 pm

+17024270048

Visit website

Cafe Berlin

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+15734410400

Visit website

Thailand Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Blue Springs, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+18162293292

Visit website

Cajun Crab House Seafood Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 3 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 3–8 pm

+15732346277

Visit website

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Independence, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18167955520

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Higginsville, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16602071324

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Boonville, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Pilot EV Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Boonville, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16608829120

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Jefferson City, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Rest Area

0 mi from route

Rest Area

0 mi from route

TA

0.1 mi from route

Petro Stopping Centers

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Concordia Rest Area Eastbound

0.1 mi from route

Concordia Rest Area Westbound

0.1 mi from route

Boonville Rest Area Eastbound

0.1 mi from route

Betty's Truck Stop

0.1 mi from route

Midway Auto Truck Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

TA

0.2 mi from route

Boonville Rest Area Westbound

0.2 mi from route

QuikTrip

0.2 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.3 mi from route

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 38.2 and 187.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
38.2 mi into trip | ~51m in | US 63

Take the exit onto US 63 toward US 54 East, US 63 North: Fulton, Columbia

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 54 East, US 63 North: Fulton, Columbi...
7
67.7 mi into trip | ~1h 24m in

Take the exit toward I 70, US 40, MO PP: Kansas City, Saint Louis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left / straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 70, US 40, MO PP: Kansas City, Saint L...
9
68.3 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in

Take the exit toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
7
184.4 mi into trip | ~3h 32m 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
187.7 mi into trip | ~3h 38m in | South Lynn Street

Turn right onto South Lynn Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.36 one way

$58.72 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $32.24 $64.47
premium $4.89 $36.14 $72.28
diesel $5.61 $41.46 $82.93

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 65.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 56.3 0 $19.72 $9.01
Efficient EV 47 0 $16.43 $7.51
EV Truck/SUV 75.1 0 $26.29 $12.02

Gas CO2

66 kg

EV CO2

22 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.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Belle, MO

Late night in Belle on Tuesday

Local time

5:39 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Independence, MO

Late night in Independence on Tuesday

Local time

5:39 AM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

69°F

Columbia, MO

94 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

5 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

3h 38m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This route features a 27% highway share, meaning you'll spend most of your time on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 54.4 miles along U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. After this, you'll transition to surface roads, which often means more local traffic and traffic signals. You'll notice the shift from faster highway speeds to a more moderate pace as you navigate through towns and rural areas.

Only 27% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.4 mi on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 38.2 miles in near US 63.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 187.8 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 38.2 miles (US 63): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Belle, MO and Independence, MO, road signs point toward Columbia, Mo Pp: Kansas City and Saint Louis.

Columbia

38.2 mi in | ~51m | via US 63

Mo Pp: Kansas City

67.7 mi in | ~1h 24m

Saint Louis

67.7 mi in | ~1h 24m

About the Cities

Arriving in Independence, MO

Full guide →

Independence, known as the Queen City of the Trails, is a city in western Missouri just east of Kansas City with a population of approximately 110,000. Independence's founding predates that of Kansas City, and it was home to U.S. President Harry S. Truman and the legendary actress Ginger Rogers, as well as the starting point of three of America's great Westward Trails: the Santa Fe Trail, the California Trail, and the Oregon Trail. The city also hosts numerous historical sites related to the Community of Christ (formerly RLDS), Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormons"), American Civil War and Western history. While offering a full range of entertainment and lodging options for visitors, Independence generally tends to be more "quiet" than its larger neighbor to the west.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 38m. Total distance: 187.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (27%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 54.4 miles on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 16 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 38.2 miles (US 63): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Independence, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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