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Trip from Four Seasons, MO to Independence, 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 23m

Distance

159.1 mi

256 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Sparse

1 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 11m ★
6 AM
3h 23m
8 AM
3h 47m
10 AM
3h 31m
12 PM
3h 29m
3 PM
3h 33m
5 PM
3h 46m
8 PM
3h 16m

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 Four Seasons, MO, MO

Four Seasons, MO

Valeria Boltneva

city in Jackson and Clay counties in Missouri, United States, that is one of two county seats in Jackson County

Independence, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 159.1-mile drive from Four Seasons, MO to Independence, MO is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 23 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, US 50, and US 65, this journey offers a mixed driving experience. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $25, it's an economical option for exploring the Midwest. The route is designed for a single day, so you can depart at your leisure and arrive the same day. You'll encounter a single recommended stop along the way, making it easy to break up the drive without significant delays.

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

79.6 miles from Four Seasons, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 52.5 mi 56m
US 50 24.3 mi 32m
US 65 16.1 mi 18m
West 4th Street 15 mi 19m
MO 5 14.5 mi 18m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway 8.8 mi 9m
US 54 7.3 mi 7m
Horseshoe Bend Parkway 3.9 mi 6m
Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 52.5 mi, about 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Four Seasons, MO and Independence, MO.

1

Start on Spirea Point

0.1 mi · 35 sec · Spirea Point
2

Turn right onto Cherokee Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Cherokee Road
3

Turn left onto MO HH

3.9 mi · 6 min · Horseshoe Bend Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
4

Turn left onto US 54 Business

2.2 mi · 5 min · Bagnell Dam Boulevard
5

Continue on Willmore Lane

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Willmore Lane
6

Enter roundabout

229 ft · 4 sec
7

Continue

0.1 mi · 18 sec
8

Merge onto US 54

7.3 mi · 7 min · US 54
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward US 54 Business, MO 52: Eldon, Tuscumbia
10

Turn left onto US 54 Bus; MO 52

2.4 mi · 3 min · US 54 Bus; MO 52
11

Turn left onto West 17th Street

0.1 mi · 14 sec · West 17th Street
12

Continue on South Grand Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Grand Avenue
13

Turn left onto MO 52

15 mi · 19 min · West 4th Street
14

Continue on MO 5

14 mi · 18 min · MO 5
15

Turn left onto US 50; MO 5

16 mi · 21 min · US 50; MO 5
16

Continue on US 50; MO 135

8.0 mi · 11 min · US 50; MO 135
17

Turn right onto South Engineer Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Engineer Avenue
18

Turn left onto West Saline Street

0.3 mi · 48 sec · West Saline Street
19

Continue on East Pettis Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Pettis Street
20

Turn right onto MO 765

1.1 mi · 2 min · North Ohio Avenue
21

Continue on MO 765

0.1 mi · 11 sec · MO 765
Toward US 65 North: Marshall
22

Merge onto US 65

16 mi · 18 min · US 65
23

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec
Toward I 70 West: Kansas City
24

Merge onto I 70; US 40

8.8 mi · 9 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
25

Continue on I 70; US 40

52 mi · 56 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
26

Continue on I 70

2.7 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
27

Continue on I 70

1.4 mi · 1 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 12 Toward Noland Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Turn right onto South Noland Road

3.0 mi · 5 min · South Noland Road
30

Turn left onto East Walnut Street

466 ft · 22 sec · East Walnut Street
31

Turn right onto South Lynn Street

394 ft · 22 sec · South Lynn Street
32

Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue

145 ft · 6 sec · East Kansas Avenue
33

Arrive at destination

East Kansas Avenue

Trip Plan

Given this route is best suited for a single day, you have the flexibility to start your journey whenever is most convenient. Plan for one stop to break up the 3-hour and 23-minute travel time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $25, and ensure you're topped up before embarking on the longest 52.5-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Since it's a relatively short drive, you won't need to worry about splitting it over multiple days, allowing for a relaxed pace.

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 79.6 miles from Four Seasons, MO, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.5 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 35 miles or 51m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 79.6 miles or 1h 52m 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 48m

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 Four Seasons, 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 Four Seasons, MO

This is one driving day of about 159.1 miles and 3h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Four Seasons, 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 52.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Sedalia, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Sedalia, MO

80 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.

Popular next leg

Sedalia, MO to Independence, MO

87 mi · 1h 41m

Pacing Suggestions

Tipton, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sedalia, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 79.6 miles from Four Seasons, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Thailand Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Blue Springs, Missouri

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 147.8

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+18162293292

Visit website

Thailand Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 147.8

Blue Springs, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+18162293292

Visit website

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 159.1

Independence, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18167955520

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Lake Ozark, Missouri

+15733654550

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 159 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.5 mi into trip | ~2m in | MO HH / Horseshoe Bend Parkway

Turn left onto MO HH / Horseshoe Bend Parkway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
6.8 mi into trip | ~15m in

Enter roundabout

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
14.3 mi into trip | ~23m in

Take the exit toward US 54 Business, MO 52: Eldon, Tuscumbia

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

Toward US 54 Business, MO 52: Eldon, Tuscumbia
7
155.7 mi into trip | ~3h 16m 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
5
159 mi into trip | ~3h 22m in | South Lynn Street

Turn right onto South Lynn Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.87 one way

$49.75 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $27.31 $54.62
premium $4.89 $30.62 $61.23
diesel $5.61 $35.13 $70.25

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 55.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 47.7 0 $16.71 $7.64
Efficient EV 39.8 0 $13.92 $6.36
EV Truck/SUV 63.6 0 $22.27 $10.18

Gas CO2

56 kg

EV CO2

19 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 15, 2026

Origin

Four Seasons, MO

Late night in Four Seasons on Sunday

Local time

12:58 AM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Independence, MO

Late night in Independence on Sunday

Local time

12:58 AM

CDT

Current temp

73°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

16 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 23m 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?

The drive is characterized as a 'mixed drive,' meaning you'll transition between different types of roadways. While 43% of the route is highway, expect a blend of faster-paced sections and potentially more local road segments. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 52.5 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, offering a good opportunity for sustained travel. This variation in road type means the driving experience will evolve as you progress from your starting point in Four Seasons to your destination in Independence.

43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.5 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near MO HH / Horseshoe Bend Parkway.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 159.1 miles you will encounter 20 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 0.5 miles (MO HH / Horseshoe Bend Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.8 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 14.3 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 Four Seasons, MO to Independence, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Tuscumbia along the way.

Tuscumbia

14.3 mi in | ~23m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 23m. Total distance: 159.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 52.5 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 0.5 miles (MO HH / Horseshoe Bend Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.8 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 14.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Independence, 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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