Origin
Center, MO
Late night in Center on Sunday
Local time
12:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Center, MO to East 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
3h 43m
Distance
191.6 mi
308 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 31m
★
6 AM
3h 43m
8 AM
4h 8m
10 AM
3h 52m
12 PM
3h 49m
3 PM
3h 53m
5 PM
4h 7m
8 PM
3h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Center, MO
Lena Khrupina
East Independence, MO
Momo King
Trip Overview
Center, MO to East Independence, MO is 191.6 miles and takes about 3h 43m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region and offering a straightforward journey. With a recommended one-day drive time, you'll find this route to be a practical option for getting between these two points without extensive planning. It's a good choice if you're looking for an efficient trip through familiar territory.
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
95.8 miles from Center, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 72.9 mi | 1h 22m |
| U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway | 54.4 mi | 58m |
| US 54 | 36.6 mi | 44m |
| MO 19 | 18.6 mi | 21m |
| Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway | 2 mi | 2m |
| South Little Blue Parkway | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| South Jackson Drive | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 72.9 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Center, MO and East Independence, MO.
1
Start on East Lamb Street
101 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Lamb Street
2
Turn right onto MO P
308 ft
·
15 sec
·
South Public Street
3
Turn sharp left onto MO 19
19 mi
·
21 min
·
MO 19
4
Enter roundabout onto US 54; MO 19
125 ft
·
1 sec
·
US 54; MO 19
5
Continue on US 54; MO 19
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
US 54; MO 19
6
Enter roundabout onto US 54
62 ft
·
0 sec
·
US 54
7
Continue on US 54
10 mi
·
13 min
·
US 54
8
Turn left onto US 54
18 mi
·
20 min
·
US 54
Toward US 54 West: Jefferson City
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
10
Merge onto I 70; US 40
19 mi
·
23 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi
·
2 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
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 17
Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Little Blue Parkway
18
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
East R.D. Mize Road
19
Turn right onto South Jackson Drive
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Jackson Drive
20
Turn straight onto Holke Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Holke Road
21
Turn left onto East Truman Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Truman Road
22
Turn right 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 3h 43m duration, leaving Center, MO in the morning allows ample time to reach East Independence, MO well before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to pause. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 72.9-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, as services might be less frequent. This single-day trip means you can depart at your leisure, but it’s wise to be aware of potential traffic as you approach 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 95.8 miles from Center, MO, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.9 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 42 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.8 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 3h
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 Center, 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 Center, MO
This is one driving day of about 191.6 miles and 3h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Center, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 72.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
96 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 95.8 miles from Center, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.9 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 0 and 186.4 — 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 P / South Public Street
Turn right onto MO P / South Public Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
MO 19
Turn sharp left onto MO 19
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
37.2 mi into trip
|
~46m in
|
US 54
Turn left onto US 54 toward US 54 West: Jefferson City
Navigation decision point
Toward US 54 West: Jefferson City
5
55.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
8
186.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 31m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.95 one way
$59.91 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $32.89 | $65.78 |
| premium | $4.89 | $36.87 | $73.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.30 | $84.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67 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 | 57.5 | 0 | $20.12 | $9.20 |
| Efficient EV | 47.9 | 0 | $16.76 | $7.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76.6 | 0 | $26.82 | $12.26 |
Gas CO2
67 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.
Destination
East Independence, MO
Late night in East Independence on Sunday
Local time
12:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Sunny
S 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
55°F
New Franklin, MO
96 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
28 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
3h 43m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a mixed drive, with about 30% of the route on highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, including a continuous stretch of 72.9 miles. While there are highway segments, expect some transitions to other main roads like U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway and US 54. The drive offers a blend of quicker highway travel and more local road experiences, so be prepared for varying speeds and scenery.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.9 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MO P / South Public Street.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Center, MO to East Independence, MO is easy. At 3h 43m with 30% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MO P / South Public Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (MO 19): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 37.2 miles (US 54): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 43m. Total distance: 191.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (30%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.9 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. 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.
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: near the start (MO P / South Public Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (MO 19): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 37.2 miles (US 54): Navigation decision point.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at East 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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