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Trip from Independence, MO to Aurora, MO

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 38m

Distance

193.7 mi

312 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Fair

2 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 26m ★
6 AM
3h 38m
8 AM
4h 3m
10 AM
3h 47m
12 PM
3h 44m
3 PM
3h 48m
5 PM
4h 2m
8 PM
3h 31m

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

Independence, MO

Wikimedia Commons

natural light display that occurs in the sky, primarily at high latitudes (near the Arctic and Antarctic on Earth) or even on other planets

Aurora, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 193.7-mile journey from Independence, Missouri, to Aurora, Missouri, is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can comfortably be completed in about 3 hours and 38 minutes. With 76% of the drive on highways, it's a route designed for efficient travel, making it an ideal day trip within the Midwest. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $29, which is quite manageable for a single day's adventure. You'll primarily be on I-49, Congressman Gene Taylor Highway, and MO-39, offering a direct path through the Missouri landscape. This route is perfect if you're looking for a no-fuss drive with minimal time commitment.

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

96.9 miles from Independence, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 48m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 49 136.8 mi 2h 27m
Congressman Gene Taylor Highway 28.2 mi 30m
MO 39 10.5 mi 15m
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway 8.3 mi 9m
South Noland Road 3 mi 4m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway 2.9 mi 3m
George Brett Super Highway 1.1 mi 1m
George Washington Carver Memorial Highway 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 49 — 136.8 mi, about 2h 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Independence, MO and Aurora, 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

3.0 mi · 4 min · South Noland Road
5

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 70 West: Kansas City
6

Continue on I 70

2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
7

Continue on I 70

1.1 mi · 1 min · George Brett Super Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Exit 8A Toward I 435 South: Wichita Use the slight right lane.
9

Merge onto I 435

8.3 mi · 9 min · Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 45 sec
Exit 71 Toward I 49 South, US 71 South, I 470 East, US 50 East: Joplin, Lee's Summit Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 12 sec
Toward I 49, I 470, US 50 East, US 71 South: Joplin, Lee's Summit Use the slight left lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
13

Merge onto I 49; US 71

137 mi · 2 hr 27 min · I 49; US 71
14

Continue on MO 59

0.3 mi · 23 sec · George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
Exit 46A Toward MO 59 South: Diamond
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 34 sec
Exit 46B Toward I 44 East: Springfield
16

Merge onto I 44; I 49; US 71

28 mi · 30 min · Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 46 Toward MO 39, MO 265, I 44 Business: Mount Vernon, Aurora
18

Turn right onto MO 39; MO 265

10 mi · 15 min · MO 39; MO 265
19

Turn right onto MO 39; MO 265

0.3 mi · 25 sec · South Elliott Avenue
20

Arrive at destination

MO 39; MO 265

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour and 38-minute drive covering 193.7 miles, starting early is a good strategy to maximize your day. Given the manageable duration and the estimated $29 fuel cost, you won't need to worry excessively about frequent refueling stops, though it's always wise to top off before departing Independence. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 136.8 miles on I-49, so plan for a break around that point if needed. This route is well-suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your timing and the possibility of an early arrival in Aurora.

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 96.9 miles from Independence, MO, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.8 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 43 miles or 50m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 96.9 miles or 1h 48m 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 55m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aurora, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Independence, MO

This is one driving day of about 193.7 miles and 3h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from 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 136.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Nevada, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Nevada, MO

97 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 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Nevada, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 96.9 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 I 49 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 136.8 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

Casa Azteca Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Nevada, Missouri

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 96.9

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14174486262

Visit website

Casa Azteca Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 96.9

Nevada, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14174486262

Visit website

Sirloin Stockade

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 152.2

Carthage, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14173581765

Visit website

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

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

Independence, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18167955520

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 96.9

Nevada, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Dynamic EV Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 193.7

Aurora, Missouri

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+18332172197

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 7.3 and 154.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
7.3 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the exit toward I 435 South: Wichita

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 8A Toward I 435 South: Wichita
8
16 mi into trip | ~21m in

Take the exit toward I 49 South, US 71 South, I 470 East, US 50 East: Joplin, Lee's Summit

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 71 Toward I 49 South, US 71 South, I 470 East, US...
8
16.6 mi into trip | ~21m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 49, I 470, US 50 East, US 71 South: Joplin, Lee's Summit

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 49, I 470, US 50 East, US 71 South: Jo...
7
16.8 mi into trip | ~22m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
6
154.2 mi into trip | ~2h 50m in

Take the exit toward I 44 East: Springfield

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 46B Toward I 44 East: Springfield

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.28 one way

$60.57 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 68 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $33.25 $66.50
premium $4.89 $37.28 $74.55
diesel $5.61 $42.77 $85.53

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: 67.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 58.1 0 $20.34 $9.30
Efficient EV 48.4 0 $16.95 $7.75
EV Truck/SUV 77.5 0 $27.12 $12.40

Gas CO2

68 kg

EV CO2

23 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

Independence, MO

Night in Independence on Saturday

Local time

9:44 PM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Aurora, MO

Night in Aurora on Saturday

Local time

9:44 PM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

73°F

Nevada, MO

97 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

1 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

3h 38m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

George Washington Carver National Monument

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...

8 mi from route ~19 min detour Free near mile 153.7
View on nps.gov
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...

19 mi from route ~48 min detour Free near mile 193.7
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

The character of this drive is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with a significant 76% of the route utilizing faster roads. Expect stretches where you'll be covering ground efficiently, including a substantial 136.8-mile segment on I-49. While primarily highway, the inclusion of Congressman Gene Taylor Highway and MO-39 suggests a potential for varied scenery and perhaps slightly less uniform driving conditions as you progress. This blend means you'll experience both the speed of interstate travel and the slightly more local feel of state highways, keeping the drive engaging without being overly demanding.

76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 136.8 mi on I 49.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 49 and Congressman Gene Taylor Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.3 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 193.7 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: at 7.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,401 ft 807 ft

Total Climb

627 ft

Total Descent

260 ft

Highest Point

1,401 ft

~193.7 mi in

Elevation Range

595 ft

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 Independence, MO to Aurora, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Lee's Summit along the way.

Lee's Summit

16 mi in | ~21m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 38m. Total distance: 193.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 136.8 miles on I 49. 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 Aurora, 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 7.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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

Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Aurora, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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