Independence, MO to Doniphan, MO is 358.7 miles and takes about 7h 10m via US 60, MO 13, and MO 7, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, traveling entirely within Missouri. You'll spend most of your time on highways, making for a relatively straightforward drive. With only two recommended stops over the 358.7 miles, it's a manageable one-day trip if you prefer to cover ground efficiently.
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
179.3 miles from Independence, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 60
153.5 mi
3h
MO 13
68 mi
1h 19m
MO 7
55.6 mi
1h 4m
I 49
26 mi
28m
MO 21
24.3 mi
36m
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
8.3 mi
9m
Schoolcraft Freeway
8.3 mi
10m
Payne Stewart Highway
4.3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 60
— 153.5 mi, about 3h
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,376 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,081
Quietest
2 AM
~360 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence, MO and Doniphan, MO.
Exit 8AToward I 435 South: WichitaUse 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 71Toward I 49 South, US 71 South, I 470 East, US 50 East: Joplin, Lee's SummitUse 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 SummitUse 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
26 mi·28 min·I 49; US 71
14
Take the exit onto MO 7
0.2 mi·19 sec·MO 7
Exit 157Toward MO 7 South: Clinton
15
Turn slight left onto MO 7
55 mi·1 hr 3 min·MO 7
Exit 157Toward MO 7 South: ClintonUse the left lane.
16
Continue on MO 13
68 mi·1 hr 19 min·MO 13
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis
18
Merge onto I 44
4.3 mi·5 min·Payne Stewart Highway
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 82AToward US 65 South: Branson
20
Merge onto US 65
8.3 mi·10 min·Schoolcraft Freeway
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·52 sec
Toward US 60 East: Cabool
22
Merge onto US 60
82 mi·1 hr 35 min·US 60
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60
71 mi·1 hr 24 min·US 60
Toward US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff
24
Turn right onto MO 21
24 mi·36 min·MO 21
25
Turn left onto MO 142
0.7 mi·1 min·Walnut Street
26
Turn left onto Plum Street
169 ft·7 sec·Plum Street
27
Arrive at destination
Plum Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 10m estimated drive time, leaving Independence, MO in the morning will allow you to reach Doniphan, MO well before sunset. The two recommended stops are spaced out, so plan one for a mid-morning break and the second for lunch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 153.5-mile stretch on US 60, as services might be less frequent. This drive is well-suited for a single day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider an overnight stop around the halfway point.
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 179.3 miles from Independence, MO, or about 3h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153.5 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 79 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179.3 miles or 3h 30m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Doniphan, 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 358.7 miles and 7h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 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 US 60 for about 153.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Final third
4.5 mi from route
~11 min detour
$20 to $30
Mountain Grove, Missouri
Hours: 4–9 pm
+14179269954
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.3 and 262.4 — 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
262.4 mi into trip|~5h 8m in|US 60
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60 toward US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.77 one way
$111.54 round trip
$3.95/gal25.4 MPG avg126 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.31
$60.89
$121.79
premium
$4.68
$66.05
$132.10
diesel
$6.01
$84.86
$169.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.5 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.6
1
$37.66
$17.22
Efficient EV
89.7
1
$31.39
$14.35
EV Truck/SUV
143.5
1
$50.22
$22.96
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (67% 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Independence, MO
Afternoon
in Independence on Sunday
Local time
3:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Clear
SSW 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Doniphan, MO
Afternoon
in Doniphan on Sunday
Local time
3:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
36°F
Clear
NE 1 mph0% chanceLive 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
6 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 10m 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.
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...
13 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 173.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 94% of the travel on major roads. You'll encounter a 153.5-mile stretch on US 60, which offers a chance for steady cruising. The transition to more surface roads will occur as you approach your destination, likely with fewer exits and more rural scenery.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 153.5 mi on US 60.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 60 and MO 13. 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 Effort10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 358.7 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
Gently rolling terrain
1,609 ft398 ft
Total Climb
1,130 ft
Total Descent
1,766 ft
Highest Point
1,609 ft
~205 mi in
Elevation Range
1,211 ft
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 Doniphan, MO, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Poplar Bluff.
Independence, known as the Queen City of the Trails, is a city in western Missouri just east of Kansas City with a population of approximately 110,000. Independence's founding predates that of Kansas City, and it was home to U.S. President Harry S. Truman and the legendary actress Ginger Rogers, as well as the starting point of three of America's great Westward Trails: the Santa Fe Trail, the California Trail, and the Oregon Trail. The city also hosts numerous historical sites related to the Community of Christ (formerly RLDS), Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormons"), American Civil War and Western history.
While offering a full range of entertainment and lodging options for visitors, Independence generally tends to be more "quiet" than its larger neighbor to the west.
Top landmarks
•Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum — presidential library and museum for U.S. President Harry S. Truman, located in I...
•Temple Lot — Geographical location important in Latter Day Saint history
•Harry S. Truman National Historic Site — national Historic Site of the United States in Missouri
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 10m. Total distance: 358.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 10m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 153.5 miles on US 60. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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 Doniphan, 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. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 — Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Doniphan, MO before the return drive.
