East Independence, MO to Roubidoux, MO is 223.7 miles and takes about 5h 11m via MO 7 and MO 291, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive, making it a solid option for a single-day excursion. If you're looking for a relatively quick transit between these two points with minimal fuss, this route fits the bill.
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 East Independence, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MO 7
77 mi
1h 39m
MO 291
31 mi
45m
MO 17
29.5 mi
42m
East Division Road
27.6 mi
37m
MO 5
24.9 mi
29m
I 44
9.9 mi
10m
US Historic 66
6.3 mi
8m
MO F
4.7 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
MO 7
— 77 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Independence, MO and Roubidoux, 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
2.8 mi·3 min·I 49; US 71
13
Take the exit onto MO 7
0.2 mi·19 sec·MO 7
Exit 157Toward MO 7 South: Clinton
14
Turn slight left onto MO 7
39 mi·44 min·MO 7
Exit 157Toward MO 7 South: ClintonUse the left lane.
15
Turn left onto MO 7
0.6 mi·1 min·East Ohio Street
16
Continue on MO 7
28 mi·37 min·East Division Road
17
Take the ramp onto MO 7
6.5 mi·8 min·MO 7
Toward MO 7 South, MO 65 South: Springfield
18
Turn left onto MO 7
31 mi·46 min·MO 7
19
At end of road, turn right onto MO 5; MO 7
25 mi·29 min·MO 5; MO 7
20
Turn left onto MO BB
2.4 mi·4 min·MO BB
21
Continue on MO F
4.7 mi·8 min·MO F
22
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 44 East: Rolla
23
Merge onto I 44
9.9 mi·10 min·I 44
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 145Toward MO 133, MO AB: Richland
25
Turn right onto MO AB
226 ft·8 sec·MO AB
26
Continue on US Historic 66; MO AB
6.3 mi·8 min·US Historic 66; MO AB
27
Turn right
176 ft·11 sec
28
Turn right onto MO 17
29 mi·42 min·MO 17
29
Turn right onto MO M
0.8 mi·1 min·MO M
30
Turn left onto Gladden Road
1.3 mi·4 min·Gladden Road
31
Continue on Gladden Road
1.7 mi·6 min·Gladden Road
32
Turn straight onto Roubidoux Road
310 ft·14 sec·Roubidoux Road
33
Turn right onto Flat Rock Road
0.1 mi·24 sec·Flat Rock Road
34
Arrive at destination
Flat Rock Road
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time, leaving in the morning is ideal to ensure you reach Roubidoux with plenty of daylight. You've got one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $35, so plan your fill-ups accordingly. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 77 miles on MO 7, so consider taking a break just before or after that segment. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time and how often you choose to stop.
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 East Independence, MO, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77 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 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.9 miles or 2h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Roubidoux, 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 223.7 miles and 5h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 MO 7 for about 77 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 183.6 — 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
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
183.6 mi into trip|~4h 5m in
Take the exit toward MO 133, MO AB: Richland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 145
Toward MO 133, MO AB: Richland
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.04 one way
$66.07 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$36.47
$72.94
premium
$4.72
$41.53
$83.07
diesel
$4.80
$42.24
$84.48
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: 78.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.1
0
$23.49
$10.74
Efficient EV
55.9
0
$19.57
$8.95
EV Truck/SUV
89.5
1
$31.32
$14.32
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
East Independence, MO
Late night
in East Independence on Sunday
Local time
5:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 3 to 7 mph27% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Roubidoux, MO
Late night
in Roubidoux on Sunday
Local time
5:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 9 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
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
3 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
5h 11m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 78% of the 223.7 miles on major roads. You'll experience a solid stretch of 77 miles on MO 7 before transitioning to other state highways. Expect a relatively open road feel for much of the trip, with fewer exits and more continuous cruising.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77 mi on MO 7.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 7 and MO 291. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main Road.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 223.7 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: near the start (Main Road): Navigation decision point; 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,316 ft752 ft
Total Climb
1,030 ft
Total Descent
730 ft
Highest Point
1,316 ft
~207.8 mi in
Elevation Range
563 ft
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 Roubidoux, MO, road signs point toward Harrisonville and Mo Ab: Richland.
Harrisonville
15.9 mi in|~24m|via MO 291
Mo Ab: Richland
183.6 mi in|~4h 5m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 11m. Total distance: 223.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 11m 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 77 miles on MO 7. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 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 Roubidoux, 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 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Main Road): Navigation decision point; 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Roubidoux, MO before the return drive.
