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Trip from East Independence, MO to Sparta, 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 56m

Distance

189.8 mi

305 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 44m ★
6 AM
3h 57m
8 AM
4h 23m
10 AM
4h 6m
12 PM
4h 3m
3 PM
4h 7m
5 PM
4h 21m
8 PM
3h 49m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown East Independence, MO, MO

East Independence, MO

Momo King

Downtown Sparta, MO, MO

Sparta, MO

Valeria Boltneva

Trip Overview

East Independence, MO to Sparta, MO is 190 miles and takes about 4 hours via MO 13, MO 7, and MO 291, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest region, specifically crossing Missouri. It’s a straightforward, highway-focused trip, making it a solid option for a single-day journey. You’ll primarily be on state highways, so expect a more local feel compared to interstates, but still efficient enough for a quick trip.

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

94.9 miles from East Independence, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
MO 13 68 mi 1h 19m
MO 7 55.6 mi 1h 4m
MO 291 31 mi 45m
Schoolcraft Freeway 10.7 mi 13m
East South Street 6.1 mi 9m
American Legion Memorial Highway 5.9 mi 6m
Payne Stewart Highway 4.3 mi 5m
I 49 2.8 mi 3m
Longest stretch: MO 13 — 68 mi, about 1h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between East Independence, MO and Sparta, 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 10B Toward MO 291 South: Harrisonville Use 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 157 Toward MO 7 South: Clinton
14

Turn slight left onto MO 7

55 mi · 1 hr 3 min · MO 7
Exit 157 Toward MO 7 South: Clinton Use the left lane.
15

Continue on MO 13

68 mi · 1 hr 19 min · MO 13
Use the straight / right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis
17

Merge onto I 44

4.3 mi · 5 min · Payne Stewart Highway
18

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Exit 82A Toward US 65 South: Branson
19

Merge onto US 65

11 mi · 13 min · Schoolcraft Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Continue on US 65

5.9 mi · 6 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
21

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Toward US 65 Business, MO F: Sparta
22

Turn left onto US 65 Bus

1.4 mi · 2 min · US 65 Bus
23

Continue on MO 14

6.1 mi · 9 min · East South Street
24

Continue on MO 14

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street
25

Arrive at destination

MO 14; MO 125

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short 4-hour duration, this trip is ideal for a single-day adventure, allowing for maximum flexibility. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid any potential fatigue. With only one recommended stop, you can strategically plan your break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 68-mile stretch on MO 13, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination comfortably without unnecessary stops.

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 94.9 miles from East Independence, MO, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68 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 1h in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 94.9 miles or 2h 1m 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 12m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sparta, 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 189.8 miles and 3h 56m.

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 MO 13 for about 68 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and county seat of Johnson County, Missouri, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Warrensburg, MO

95 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

Garden City, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Warsaw, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 94.9 miles from East Independence, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before MO 13 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Culver’s

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ozark, Missouri

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 176.2

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+14174852991

Visit website

Oseyo Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Bolivar, Missouri

2.2 mi

Cantonese Kitchen

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Springfield, Missouri

2.3 mi

Culver’s

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 176.2

Ozark, Missouri

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+14174852991

Visit website

Oseyo Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 135.5

Bolivar, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14173262100

Visit website

Cantonese Kitchen

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 162.7

Springfield, Missouri

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+14177715621

Café Verona

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30

Independence, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18168330044

Visit website

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Independence, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18167955520

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 162.7

Springfield, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Dynamic ev Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 176.2

Ozark, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18332172197

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 135.5

Bolivar, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14173260188

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 162.7

Springfield, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Dynamic Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 162.7

Springfield, Missouri

+18332172197

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 176.2

Ozark, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 135.5

Bolivar, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 135.5

Bolivar, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

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 0 and 33.1 — 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
5
15.9 mi into trip | ~24m in | MO 291

Take the exit onto MO 291 toward MO 291 South: Jefferson Street, Harrisonville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward MO 291 South: Jefferson Street, Harrison...
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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.67 one way

$59.35 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $32.58 $65.16
premium $4.89 $36.53 $73.05
diesel $5.61 $41.91 $83.81

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: 66.4 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 56.9 0 $19.93 $9.11
Efficient EV 47.5 0 $16.61 $7.59
EV Truck/SUV 75.9 0 $26.57 $12.15

Gas CO2

66 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.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

East Independence, MO

Late night in East Independence on Sunday

Local time

1:01 AM

CDT

Current temp

41°F

Mostly Cloudy

NNW 10 to 14 mph 8% chance Live forecast

Destination

Sparta, MO

Late night in Sparta on Sunday

Local time

1:01 AM

CDT

Current temp

51°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

10 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 56m 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.

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

National Battlefield

Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free near mile 176.7
Caution: BE AWARE OF HIGH-WATER DANGER
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is characterized as a highway-focused drive, with 89% of the journey on higher-speed roads. You’ll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch of 68 miles on MO 13. While primarily highway, these are state highways, offering a less intense experience than a major interstate. The road's personality is consistent for the most part, maintaining a steady pace as you travel south through Missouri.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68 mi on MO 13.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 13 and MO 7. 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 Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 189.8 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.

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 Sparta, MO, road signs point toward Harrisonville and Saint Louis.

Harrisonville

15.9 mi in | ~24m | via MO 291

Saint Louis

159.8 mi in | ~3h 17m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 56m. Total distance: 189.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 68 miles on MO 13. 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 Sparta, 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: 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.

Yes — Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Sparta, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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