East Independence, MO to Goodman, MO is 177.1 miles and takes about 3h 27m via I 49 and MO 291, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region. Given its relatively short duration and mostly highway profile, it's a straightforward trip. You'll primarily be on interstate for a good portion of the drive, making it a practical option for a single-day excursion.
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
88.5 miles from East Independence, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 49
106.6 mi
1h 54m
MO 291
31 mi
45m
Purple Heart Trail
8.9 mi
9m
Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
6.6 mi
7m
Governor Warren E Hearnes Memorial Highway
6.2 mi
6m
Special Agent Tom Crowell Memorial Highway
6 mi
6m
James B. Tatum Highway
5.8 mi
6m
East Truman Road
1.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 49
— 106.6 mi, about 1h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Independence, MO and Goodman, 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 right onto East Truman Road
1.4 mi·3 min·East Truman Road
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
5
Merge onto MO 291
10.0 mi·13 min·MO 291
6
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 291
3.3 mi·5 min·MO 291
Exit 10BToward MO 291 South: HarrisonvilleUse the slight left / straight lanes.
7
Take the ramp onto MO 291
0.6 mi·53 sec·MO 291
Toward US 50 West, MO 291 South: Kansas City
8
Take the exit onto MO 291
0.1 mi·18 sec·MO 291
Toward MO 291 South: Jefferson Street, Harrisonville
9
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 291
17 mi·24 min·MO 291
Toward MO 291 South: Harrisonville
10
Continue on Cantrell Road
0.1 mi·19 sec·Cantrell Road
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
12
Merge onto I 49; US 71
107 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 49; US 71
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 53Toward MO 571 South, MO 96, I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City
14
Turn right onto I 49 Business; MO 96; MO 171
6.6 mi·7 min·Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
15
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 249
6.2 mi·6 min·Governor Warren E Hearnes Memorial Highway
Toward MO 249 South: Joplin
16
Continue on I 49; US 71
8.9 mi·9 min·Purple Heart Trail
17
Continue on I 49; US 71
6.0 mi·6 min·Special Agent Tom Crowell Memorial Highway
18
Continue on I 49; US 71
5.8 mi·6 min·James B. Tatum Highway
19
Continue on I 49; US 71
1.2 mi·1 min·Corporal Bobbie J. Harper Memorial Highway
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 17Toward MO C, MO B: Goodman
21
Turn left onto MO B; MO C
0.6 mi·47 sec·MO B; MO C
22
At end of road, turn right onto MO 59; MO C
0.2 mi·23 sec·MO 59; MO C
23
Turn sharp left onto MO C
0.5 mi·1 min·Splitlog Avenue
24
Turn left onto MO C
0.1 mi·16 sec·South School Street
25
Turn slight right onto MO C
0.3 mi·51 sec·Main Street
26
Turn left onto North Ozark Trail
0.2 mi·42 sec·North Ozark Trail
27
Turn slight right onto Barnes Street
365 ft·16 sec·Barnes Street
28
Arrive at destination
North Wade Street
Trip Plan
For this 177.1-mile drive, leaving in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for a comfortable pace. Since it's only a 3h 27m estimated drive time and you have a $28 fuel budget, you won't need to worry excessively about frequent fuel stops, though it's always wise to top off before you leave. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 106.6 miles on I 49, so plan your break before or after this segment. Given the short duration, you have the flexibility to make an unscheduled stop if needed.
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 88.5 miles from East Independence, MO, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.6 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 39 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.5 miles or 1h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Goodman, 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 177.1 miles and 3h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 I 49 for about 106.6 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 12 and 174.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
12 mi into trip|~18m in|MO 291
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 291 toward MO 291 South: Harrisonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward MO 291 South: Harrisonville
6
15.3 mi into trip|~23m in|MO 291
Take the ramp onto MO 291 toward US 50 West, MO 291 South: Kansas City
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 50 West, MO 291 South: Kansas City
6
33.1 mi into trip|~50m in
Take the exit toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
6
139.9 mi into trip|~2h 45m in
Take the exit toward MO 571 South, MO 96, I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 53
Toward MO 571 South, MO 96, I 49 Business, MO 1...
6
174.8 mi into trip|~3h 22m in
Take the exit toward MO C, MO B: Goodman
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 17
Toward MO C, MO B: Goodman
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.69 one way
$55.38 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.40
$60.80
premium
$4.89
$34.08
$68.16
diesel
$5.61
$39.10
$78.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.1
0
$18.60
$8.50
Efficient EV
44.3
0
$15.50
$7.08
EV Truck/SUV
70.8
0
$24.79
$11.33
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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 19, 2026
Origin
East Independence, MO
Late night
in East Independence on Tuesday
Local time
5:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Mostly Clear
WSW 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Goodman, MO
Late night
in Goodman on Tuesday
Local time
5:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Nevada, MO
89 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
36 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 27m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
George Washington Carver National Monument
National Monument
The young child known as the "Plant Doctor" tended his secret garden while observing the day-to-day operations of a 19th century farm. Nature and nurture ultimately influenced George on his quest for...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 158.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 78% of the 177.1 miles on major roads like I 49. The longest continuous stretch on the interstate is 106.6 miles on I 49. After that, you'll transition to MO 291, which will feel more like surface road cruising with potentially more frequent intersections and local traffic. Expect a consistent pace for the majority of your time behind the wheel.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 106.6 mi on I 49.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 49 and MO 291. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12 miles in near MO 291.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 177.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 12 miles (MO 291): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.3 miles (MO 291): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.1 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.
On the drive from East Independence, MO to Goodman, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Harrisonville along the way.
Harrisonville
15.9 mi in|~24m|via MO 291
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 27m. Total distance: 177.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 106.6 miles on I 49. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Goodman, 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. There are 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 12 miles (MO 291): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.3 miles (MO 291): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — George Washington Carver National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Goodman, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
