Origin
East Independence, MO
Night in East Independence on Saturday
Local time
11:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from East Independence, MO to Center, 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
191.7 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 44m
8 AM
4h 9m
10 AM
3h 53m
12 PM
3h 50m
3 PM
3h 54m
5 PM
4h 8m
8 PM
3h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
East Independence, MO
Momo King
Center, MO
Lena Khrupina
Trip Overview
East Independence, MO to Center, MO is 191.7 miles and takes about 3h 43m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, and US 54, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region from start to finish. Expect a route that involves frequent turns and navigating local roads, rather than a straightforward interstate cruise. Given its manageable distance and duration, it's a solid choice for a single-day journey where you can prioritize flexibility.
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 East Independence, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m 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 | 26.3 mi | 31m |
| MO 19 | 18.6 mi | 21m |
| East Liberty Street | 10.3 mi | 13m |
| Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| South Little Blue Parkway | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 72.9 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Independence, MO and Center, MO.
1
Start on East 9th Street South
79 ft
·
8 sec
·
East 9th Street South
2
Turn left onto Main Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Road
3
Turn left onto East Truman Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Truman Road
4
Turn right onto Holke Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Holke Road
5
Turn straight onto South Jackson Drive
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Jackson Drive
6
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
East R.D. Mize Road
7
Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
South Little Blue Parkway
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 17
Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on I 70
53 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
10
Continue on I 70; US 40
32 mi
·
34 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi
·
24 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' 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
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
15
Continue on I 70; US 40
19 mi
·
23 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 148
Toward US 54: Auxvasse, Mexico, Fulton
17
Turn left onto US 54
18 mi
·
20 min
·
US 54
18
At end of road, turn right onto US 54
10 mi
·
13 min
·
East Liberty Street
19
Enter roundabout onto US 54; MO 19
221 ft
·
2 sec
·
US 54; MO 19
20
Continue on US 54; MO 19
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
US 54; MO 19
21
Enter roundabout onto MO 19
184 ft
·
2 sec
·
MO 19
22
Continue on MO 19
19 mi
·
21 min
·
MO 19
23
Turn sharp right onto MO P
308 ft
·
13 sec
·
South Public Street
24
Turn left onto East Lamb Street
101 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Lamb Street
25
Arrive at destination
East Lamb Street
Trip Plan
For this 191.7-mile journey, starting in the morning will give you ample time to complete the roughly 3h 43m drive. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $30, planning is straightforward. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests paying close attention to your navigation system, especially as you approach Center, MO. Consider breaking up the drive at the 72.9-mile mark on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, ensuring a comfortable pace for the entire trip.
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 East Independence, MO, or about 1h 49m 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 49m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Center, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving East Independence, 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 East Independence, MO
This is one driving day of about 191.7 miles and 3h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from East Independence, 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 East Independence, 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 191.6 — 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
|
Main Road
Turn left onto Main Road
Navigation decision point
8
5 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the ramp toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 17
Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall E...
6
136.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
Take the exit toward US 54: Auxvasse, Mexico, Fulton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 148
Toward US 54: Auxvasse, Mexico, Fulton
5
164.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 11m in
|
US 54; MO 19
Enter roundabout onto US 54; MO 19
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
191.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 43m in
|
MO P / South Public Street
Turn sharp right onto MO P / South Public Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.97 one way
$59.94 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $32.91 | $65.81 |
| premium | $4.89 | $36.89 | $73.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.32 | $84.65 |
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: 67.1 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 | $20.13 | $9.20 |
| Efficient EV | 47.9 | 0 | $16.77 | $7.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76.7 | 0 | $26.84 | $12.27 |
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
Center, MO
Night in Center on Saturday
Local time
11:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Marshall, 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
1 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 43m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll encounter a mix of highway and local road navigation. With only 24% of the route on highways, expect to be actively steering and making decisions often. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 72.9 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, offering a brief period of consistent travel before transitioning back to more varied road conditions. Prepare for a dynamic driving experience that keeps you engaged with the changing landscape and road network.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 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?
3/10
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 early in the drive near Main Road.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 43m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Main Road): Navigation decision point; at 5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 136.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between East Independence, MO and Center, MO, road signs point toward Mexico and Fulton.
Mexico
136.2 mi in
|
~2h 36m
Fulton
136.2 mi in
|
~2h 36m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 43m. Total distance: 191.7 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 (24%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads 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 (Main Road): Navigation decision point; at 5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 136.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Center, 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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