Origin
Black Jack, MO
Night in Black Jack on Saturday
Local time
9:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Black Jack, MO to Independence, MO
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 33m
Distance
235 mi
378 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 20m
★
6 AM
4h 34m
8 AM
5h 0m
10 AM
4h 43m
12 PM
4h 40m
3 PM
4h 44m
5 PM
4h 59m
8 PM
4h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Black Jack, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Independence, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 235-mile drive from Black Jack, MO to Independence, MO is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 33 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-70, forming 92% of your journey, with brief sections on Rosemary Straub Davison Highway and South Noland Road. With an estimated fuel cost of $36, this highway-focused drive is an efficient way to travel within the Midwest region. You'll encounter one primary stop along the way, making it easy to complete in a single day without feeling overly rushed. This trip is ideal for those seeking a straightforward and direct connection between these two Missouri locations.
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
117.5 miles from Black Jack, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 17m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 215.4 mi | 4h 4m |
| Rosemary Straub Davison Highway | 8.6 mi | 10m |
| South Noland Road | 3 mi | 5m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| Old Halls Ferry Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Mehl Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Dunn Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 215.4 mi, about 4h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Black Jack, MO and Independence, MO.
1
Start on Parker Road
392 ft
·
9 sec
·
Parker Road
2
Continue on Old Halls Ferry Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Halls Ferry Road
3
Turn right onto Mehl Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Mehl Avenue
4
Turn right onto Netherton Drive
394 ft
·
18 sec
·
Netherton Drive
5
Turn left onto MO AC
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
New Halls Ferry Road
Use the left / right lanes.
6
Turn sharp right onto Dunn Road
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
Dunn Road
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 270 West
8
Merge onto I 270
8.6 mi
·
10 min
·
Rosemary Straub Davison Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 20A
Toward I 70: Saint Louis, Kansas City
10
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
this road
Exit 20A-B
Toward I 70: Saint Louis, Kansas City
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 20B
Toward I 70 West: Kansas City
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 70
215 mi
·
4 hr 4 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 70
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
14
Continue on I 70
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 12
Toward Noland Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
South Noland Road
17
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
466 ft
·
22 sec
·
East Walnut Street
18
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
394 ft
·
22 sec
·
South Lynn Street
19
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
145 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Kansas Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
East Kansas Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 33-minute duration, starting your trip from Black Jack in the morning will allow you to reach Independence with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in planning your breaks, but consider a longer pause around the halfway mark to stretch your legs. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 215 miles on I-70, so be mindful of your fuel levels before embarking on this segment. The $36 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always check current prices. Keep an eye out for I-70 signage as it's the backbone of this 235-mile route.
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 117.5 miles from Black Jack, MO, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 215.4 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 52 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.5 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 42m
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 Black Jack, 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 Black Jack, MO
This is one driving day of about 235 miles and 4h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Black Jack, 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 215.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 117.5 miles from Black Jack, 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 215.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 231.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
MO AC / New Halls Ferry Road
Turn left onto MO AC / New Halls Ferry Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
5
2.4 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 270 / Rosemary Straub Davison Highway
Merge onto I 270 / Rosemary Straub Davison Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
10.9 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward I 70: Saint Louis, Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 20A
Toward I 70: Saint Louis, Kansas City
8
11.7 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 70 West: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 20B
Toward I 70 West: Kansas City
7
231.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 26m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.74 one way
$73.48 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
82 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $40.34 | $80.68 |
| premium | $4.89 | $45.22 | $90.45 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.89 | $103.77 |
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: 82.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.5 | 0 | $24.67 | $11.28 |
| Efficient EV | 58.8 | 0 | $20.56 | $9.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94 | 1 | $32.90 | $15.04 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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
Night in Independence on Saturday
Local time
9:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
15 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 33m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Gateway Arch National Park
National Park
Gateway Arch National Park commemorates President Jefferson’s vision of a continental nation, the individuals and cultural groups who helped shape its history, St. Louis’ role in westward expansion, a...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
$19
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 92% of your travel on major roads like I-70. The bulk of your journey, a continuous stretch of 215.4 miles, will be on I-70, offering a consistent pace. While the majority of the drive is on the interstate, you'll navigate through Rosemary Straub Davison Highway and South Noland Road as you approach your destination, introducing minor variations in the driving environment. This route offers a straightforward driving personality, minimizing complexity and maximizing forward momentum.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 215.4 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and Rosemary Straub Davison Highway. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in near MO AC / New Halls Ferry Road.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 235 miles you will encounter 14 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 1.5 miles (MO AC / New Halls Ferry Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles (I 270 / Rosemary Straub Davison Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 33m. Total distance: 235 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 33m 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 215.4 miles on I 70. 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 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: at 1.5 miles (MO AC / New Halls Ferry Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles (I 270 / Rosemary Straub Davison Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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