This 179.7-mile drive from Billings, MO to East Independence, MO is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 44 minutes. Primarily following MO 7 and MO 291, with a significant portion on North Kansas Expressway, this route offers a straightforward highway-focused experience. With a projected fuel cost of around $27, it's an economical choice for exploring within the Midwest region. You'll find this journey to be quite direct, with just one recommended stop, making it ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.
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
89.9 miles from Billings, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Kansas Expressway
87.3 mi
1h 43m
MO 7
39.2 mi
43m
MO 291
22.4 mi
32m
Northeast Elm Street
8.9 mi
13m
MO 58
8.5 mi
11m
Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway
7.2 mi
7m
MO MM
3.9 mi
6m
East Truman Road
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
North Kansas Expressway
— 87.3 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Billings, MO and East Independence, MO.
1
Start on this road
140 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto MO 14
199 ft·5 sec·Northwest Jefferson Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 60; MO 413
8.9 mi·13 min·Northeast Elm Street
4
Turn left onto MO MM
3.9 mi·6 min·MO MM
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 44 East: Springfield
6
Merge onto I 44
7.2 mi·7 min·Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 77Toward MO 13: BolivarUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
187 ft·5 sec
Exit 77Toward MO 13 North: BolivarUse the left lane.
9
Continue on MO 13
87 mi·1 hr 43 min·North Kansas Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Continue on MO 7
36 mi·39 min·MO 7
11
Take the exit onto MO 7
3.3 mi·3 min·MO 7
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 160Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
13
Keep slight right at fork
243 ft·6 sec
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
14
Merge onto MO 291
8.3 mi·12 min·MO 291
15
Turn slight left onto MO 58; MO 291
8.5 mi·11 min·MO 58; MO 291
16
Take the exit onto MO 291
0.6 mi·52 sec·MO 291
Toward US 50 East, MO 291 North: Sedalia
17
Take the exit onto MO 291
0.2 mi·37 sec·MO 291
Toward MO 291 North: Independence, Hamblen RoadUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn left
300 ft·7 sec
19
Continue on MO 291
13 mi·18 min·MO 291
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward East Truman Road
21
At end of road, turn left onto East Truman Road
1.2 mi·2 min·East Truman Road
22
Turn left onto Main Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Main Road
23
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
79 ft·3 sec·East 9th Street South
24
Arrive at destination
East 9th Street South
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour, 44-minute duration, starting your journey in the morning will allow ample time for arrival and any evening plans. With only one recommended stop and a highway share of 92%, you can choose your preferred timing for a break. Factor in the estimated $27 fuel cost for your budget. A specific tip for this route: be aware that the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is over 87 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before embarking on that segment.
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 89.9 miles from Billings, MO, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.3 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 40 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.9 miles or 1h 50m 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 56m
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 Billings, 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 Billings, MO
This is one driving day of about 179.7 miles and 3h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Billings, 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 North Kansas Expressway for about 87.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 164.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|MO 14 / Northwest Jefferson Avenue
Turn right onto MO 14 / Northwest Jefferson Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
20.2 mi into trip|~28m in
Take the exit toward MO 13: Bolivar
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 77
Toward MO 13: Bolivar
9
20.3 mi into trip|~28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 77
Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
6
147 mi into trip|~2h 55m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
7
164.4 mi into trip|~3h 20m in|MO 291
Take the exit onto MO 291 toward MO 291 North: Independence, Hamblen Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward MO 291 North: Independence, Hamblen Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.09 one way
$56.19 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.85
$61.69
premium
$4.89
$34.58
$69.16
diesel
$5.61
$39.68
$79.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.9
0
$18.87
$8.63
Efficient EV
44.9
0
$15.72
$7.19
EV Truck/SUV
71.9
0
$25.16
$11.50
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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 15, 2026
Origin
Billings, MO
Night
in Billings on Saturday
Local time
11:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
East Independence, MO
Night
in East Independence on Saturday
Local time
11:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
80°F
Warsaw, MO
90 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
17 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 44m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 92% of the route utilizing faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 87.3 miles on North Kansas Expressway, indicating long periods of consistent travel. While the primary roads are MO 7 and MO 291, the overall character is one of efficient transit rather than winding scenic byways. This route is designed for steady progress, making it a predictable driving experience for most of its length.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.3 mi on North Kansas Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Kansas Expressway and MO 7. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MO 14 / Northwest Jefferson Avenue.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 179.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MO 14 / Northwest Jefferson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 20.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 44m. Total distance: 179.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.3 miles on North Kansas Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at East Independence, MO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MO 14 / Northwest Jefferson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 20.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at East Independence, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
