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Trip from Independence, MO to Advance, MO

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h

Distance

365.5 mi

588 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$57

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
6h 49m ★
6 AM
7h 1m
8 AM
7h 23m
10 AM
7h 9m
12 PM
7h 6m
3 PM
7h 10m
5 PM
7h 22m
8 PM
6h 54m

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

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

Independence, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Advance, MO, MO

Advance, MO

Nicolas Foster

Trip Overview

Independence, MO to Advance, MO is 365.5 miles and takes about 7 hours via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, traversing Missouri for its entirety. Expect a local feel with frequent turns, making it a less direct but potentially more engaging journey. With a recommended one-day duration and just two planned stops, this route is manageable for a single day of driving, offering a straightforward way to cover the distance.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

182.7 miles from Independence, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 26m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 135.3 mi 2h 34m
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway 101 mi 1h 48m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway 54.4 mi 58m
Avenue of the Saints 25.1 mi 30m
MO 25 15.9 mi 23m
I 270 11.5 mi 14m
Nash Road 5.6 mi 7m
South Noland Road 3.1 mi 5m
Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 135.3 mi, about 2h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on East Kansas Avenue

145 ft · 8 sec · East Kansas Avenue
2

Turn right onto South Lynn Street

394 ft · 22 sec · South Lynn Street
3

Turn left onto East Walnut Street

466 ft · 25 sec · East Walnut Street
4

Turn right onto South Noland Road

3.1 mi · 5 min · South Noland Road
5

Turn left

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward I 70 East: Columbia, Saint Louis
6

Merge onto I 70

1.5 mi · 1 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
7

Continue on I 70

2.6 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
8

Continue on I 70

53 mi · 56 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
9

Continue on I 70; US 40

32 mi · 34 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

22 mi · 24 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
11

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
12

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.6 mi · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
13

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.9 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
14

Continue on I 70; US 40

81 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15

Take the exit onto US 40

0.3 mi · 33 sec · US 40
Exit 210A Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
16

Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61

25 mi · 30 min · Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Exit 25 Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis Use the slight right lane.
18

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 31 sec
Toward I 270 South: Memphis Use the slight right lane.
19

Merge onto I 270

11 mi · 14 min · I 270
Use the straight lane.
20

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 27 sec
Exit 1A Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 55 South: Memphis
22

Merge onto I 55

1.5 mi · 1 min · Rosa Parks Highway
23

Continue on I 55

1.8 mi · 2 min · Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
24

Continue on I 55

101 mi · 1 hr 48 min · Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 91 Toward MO AB: Cape Girardeau Regional Airport
26

Keep slight right at fork

160 ft · 3 sec
Exit 91 Toward MO AB: Cape Girardeau Regional Airport
27

Turn right onto MO AB

5.6 mi · 7 min · Nash Road
28

Enter roundabout onto MO 25

191 ft · 3 sec · MO 25
Toward MO 25 South: Delta
29

Continue on MO 25

16 mi · 23 min · MO 25
Toward MO 25 South: Delta
30

Continue on MO 91

0.3 mi · 35 sec · MO 91
31

Turn right onto MO 91

212 ft · 3 sec · Oak Street
32

Arrive at destination

MO 91

Trip Plan

Given the 7-hour drive time and a single day recommendation, aim for an early start from Independence, MO, to comfortably reach Advance, MO, with daylight to spare. Plan your two stops strategically to break up the drive and refuel, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition from highway stretches to local roads, as service availability might vary. The frequent turns suggest paying close attention to your navigation system to avoid missed exits or incorrect turns on this more intricate route.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 182.7 miles from Independence, MO, or about 3h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.3 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 182.7 miles or 3h 26m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 47m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Advance, MO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Independence, MO

This is one driving day of about 365.5 miles and 7h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Independence, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 135.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown O'Fallon, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

O'Fallon, MO

183 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

Sedalia, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wentzville, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 182.7 miles from Independence, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135.3 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 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 343.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
3.3 mi into trip | ~6m in

Turn left toward I 70 East: Columbia, Saint Louis

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 70 East: Columbia, Saint Louis
8
226.2 mi into trip | ~4h 19m in

Take the exit toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 25 Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
7
226.5 mi into trip | ~4h 19m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 270 South: Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 270 South: Memphis
8
238.3 mi into trip | ~4h 34m in

Take the exit toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 1A Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis...
7
343.6 mi into trip | ~6h 28m in

Keep slight right at fork toward MO AB: Cape Girardeau Regional Airport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 91 Toward MO AB: Cape Girardeau Regional Airport

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$57.14 one way

$114.28 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 128 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $62.74 $125.48
premium $4.89 $70.34 $140.67
diesel $5.61 $80.70 $161.40

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$57

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$82–$107

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 127.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 109.6 1 $38.38 $17.54
Efficient EV 91.4 1 $31.98 $14.62
EV Truck/SUV 146.2 1 $51.17 $23.39

Gas CO2

128 kg

EV CO2

43 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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

Independence, MO

Evening in Independence on Saturday

Local time

8:06 PM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Advance, MO

Evening in Advance on Saturday

Local time

8:06 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°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

19 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

7h on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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.

Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park

Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Established by 1750, Ste. Geneviève was the first permanent European settlement in Missouri. Early French Canadian settlers were drawn here by the rich agricultural land known as Le Grand Champ (the B...

6 mi from route ~15 min detour Free near mile 289.9
View on nps.gov
Gateway Arch National Park

Gateway Arch National Park

National Park

Gateway Arch National Park commemorates President Jefferson’s vision of a continental nation, the individuals and cultural groups who helped shape its history, St. Louis’ role in westward expansion, a...

13 mi from route ~31 min detour $19 near mile 239.5
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 has a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll navigate a variety of roads rather than sticking to a single interstate for the entire trip. While 8% of the journey is on major highways like the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, much of it will involve more localized routes. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 135.3 miles, so be prepared for frequent changes in direction and speed. This dynamic nature means you'll experience a shifting road personality throughout the 7-hour drive.

Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 135.3 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 19 significant decision points across 365.5 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 3.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 226.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 226.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Independence, MO and Advance, MO, road signs point toward Memphis and Mo Ab: Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.

Memphis

226.2 mi in | ~4h 19m

Mo Ab: Cape Girardeau Regional Airport

343.5 mi in | ~6h 28m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h. Total distance: 365.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 135.3 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 Advance, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 226.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 226.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park and Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Advance, MO before the return drive.

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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