Spanning 207.3 miles across Missouri, this trip from Dardenne Prairie to Independence takes approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes of driving time. Because the duration is relatively short, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate a variety of local roads, including Feise Road, Bryan Road, and MO 364 West, rather than relying on major interstates. Budgeting around $31 for fuel should cover your transit comfortably. Given that both your starting point and destination are nestled within the Midwest, you can expect a familiar regional landscape as you traverse the state.
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
104.1 miles from Dardenne Prairie, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 4m 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
3.8 mi
4m
South Noland Road
3 mi
5m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi
3m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2 mi
2m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dardenne Prairie, MO and Independence, MO.
1
Start on Rembrandt Drive
0.2 mi·57 sec·Rembrandt Drive
2
At end of road, turn left onto Feise Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Feise Road
3
Turn left onto Bryan Road
0.3 mi·41 sec·Bryan Road
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward MO 364 West
5
Enter roundabout
110 ft·3 sec
Toward MO 364 West
6
Continue
0.1 mi·10 sec
Toward MO 364 West
7
Merge onto MO 364
1.4 mi·1 min·MO 364
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: WentzvilleUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
3.8 mi·4 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15
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.
20
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3.0 mi·5 min·South Noland Road
21
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
466 ft·22 sec·East Walnut Street
22
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
394 ft·22 sec·South Lynn Street
23
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
145 ft·6 sec·East Kansas Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
East Kansas Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a straightforward 3-hour trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning for one strategic stop will help break up the drive. Keep your fuel budget of $31 in mind as you map out your transit, ensuring you have enough to reach your destination without stress. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major highways, stay alert for changing speed limits and intersections that are more frequent than on typical interstates. A smart tip for this specific drive is to double-check your GPS settings before leaving Dardenne Prairie, as the reliance on local roads like MO 364 West can sometimes lead to unexpected turns if you aren't following your route closely.
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 104.1 miles from Dardenne Prairie, MO, or about 2h 4m 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 46 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.1 miles or 2h 4m 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 16m
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 Dardenne Prairie, 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 Dardenne Prairie, MO
This is one driving day of about 208.1 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Dardenne Prairie, 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 204.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.7 mi into trip|~2m in|Bryan Road
Turn left onto Bryan Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
1.2 mi into trip|~3m in
Enter roundabout toward MO 364 West
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward MO 364 West
8
2.7 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the exit toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
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 1B
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Went...
8
7.1 mi into trip|~10m 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
204.7 mi into trip|~3h 53m 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
$32.53 one way
$65.07 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$35.72
$71.44
premium
$4.89
$40.05
$80.09
diesel
$5.61
$45.95
$91.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.4
0
$21.85
$9.99
Efficient EV
52
0
$18.21
$8.32
EV Truck/SUV
83.2
1
$29.13
$13.32
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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
Dardenne Prairie, MO
Late night
in Dardenne Prairie on Tuesday
Local time
3:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Independence, MO
Late night
in Independence on Tuesday
Local time
3:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Columbia, MO
104 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
6 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 59m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Since this route utilizes 0% highway travel, you will spend your time navigating surface streets and local connectors that require more active attention than a typical highway trek. The nature of the road demands focus as you transition through the various segments of Feise Road and Bryan Road. Without any long, uninterrupted highway stretches to zone out on, the character of this drive remains consistent and engaging from start to finish. You should prepare for a hands-on driving experience that keeps you involved with the local infrastructure.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 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?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near Bryan Road.
Driving Effort6/10
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 208.1 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 0.7 miles (Bryan Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 59m. Total distance: 208.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
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.
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 0.7 miles (Bryan Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Independence, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
