Clarkson Valley, MO to Independence, MO is 223.9 miles and takes about 4h 20m via Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, connecting two points in Missouri. Expect a route with numerous turns, suggesting a less direct, more local feel rather than a straight shot on high-speed highways. Given the relatively short duration and manageable distance, this trip is well-suited for a single-day journey, offering a straightforward connection between these two 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
111.9 miles from Clarkson Valley, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
80.7 mi
1h 35m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
54.3 mi
58m
Avenue of the Saints
19.2 mi
23m
South Noland Road
3 mi
5m
Clarkson Road
2.7 mi
4m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi
3m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarkson Valley, MO and Independence, MO.
1
Start on Greenbank Drive
0.3 mi·1 min·Greenbank Drive
2
At end of road, turn right onto Forest Club Drive
344 ft·21 sec·Forest Club Drive
3
At end of road, turn left onto MO 340
2.7 mi·4 min·Clarkson Road
4
Continue on MO 340
483 ft·16 sec·Olive Boulevard
5
Turn left onto North Outer 40
0.4 mi·58 sec·North Outer 40
6
Take the ramp
457 ft·11 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 NorthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
19 mi·23 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit onto US 40
0.6 mi·1 min·US 40
Exit 1AToward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas CityUse the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
10
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi·58 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
Exit 12Toward Noland RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3.0 mi·5 min·South Noland Road
19
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
466 ft·22 sec·East Walnut Street
20
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
394 ft·22 sec·South Lynn Street
21
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
145 ft·6 sec·East Kansas Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
East Kansas Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour, 20-minute drive, consider departing in the morning to maximize daylight and take advantage of the single day recommended for this trip. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your break strategically along the 223.9-mile route, perhaps around the halfway mark. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $35, and be mindful of the many turns; using a GPS or navigation app is highly recommended to stay on track. Since this isn't an overnight trip, you have flexibility to adjust your departure time and stop timing.
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 111.9 miles from Clarkson Valley, MO, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.7 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 49 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.9 miles or 2h 16m 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 33m
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 Clarkson Valley, 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 Clarkson Valley, MO
This is one driving day of about 223.9 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Clarkson Valley, 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 80.7 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 220.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|Forest Club Drive
At end of road, turn right onto Forest Club Drive
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|MO 340 / Clarkson Road
At end of road, turn left onto MO 340 / Clarkson Road
Navigation decision point
6
3.6 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the ramp toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North
8
22.9 mi into trip|~30m in|US 40
Take the exit onto US 40 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 straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
7
220.5 mi into trip|~4h 13m 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
$35.00 one way
$70.01 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$38.43
$76.87
premium
$4.89
$43.09
$86.18
diesel
$5.61
$49.43
$98.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.2
0
$23.51
$10.75
Efficient EV
56
0
$19.59
$8.96
EV Truck/SUV
89.6
1
$31.35
$14.33
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Clarkson Valley, MO
Late night
in Clarkson Valley on Sunday
Local time
1:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Independence, MO
Late night
in Independence on Sunday
Local time
1:00 AM
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
16 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 20m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized as 'turn-heavy,' indicating a route that frequently deviates from a direct path. With 0% highway share, you'll be navigating local roads and potentially some state highways for the entire 223.9 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 80.7 miles along Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, offering a period of more consistent travel before subsequent turns. Prepare for a driving experience that requires attention to navigation, as you’ll be making frequent adjustments rather than cruising on a high-speed interstate.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.7 mi on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Forest Club Drive.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 20m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Forest Club Drive): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles (MO 340 / Clarkson Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 223.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.7 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: at 0.3 miles (Forest Club Drive): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles (MO 340 / Clarkson Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. 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 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Independence, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
