Concordia Rest Area Eastbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Independence, MO to Houston, MO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 5m
Distance
256.9 mi
413 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 52m
★
6 AM
5h 6m
8 AM
5h 33m
10 AM
5h 15m
12 PM
5h 12m
3 PM
5h 17m
5 PM
5h 31m
8 PM
4h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Independence, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Houston, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Independence, MO to Houston, MO is 256.9 miles and takes about 5h 5m via US 63, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, primarily traveling through Missouri. With 73.5 miles on US 63, you'll experience a mix of highway and surface road driving. The majority of the route utilizes surface roads, offering a more local feel. This is a straightforward, single-day option for getting from the Independence area down into south-central Missouri.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
128.4 miles from Independence, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 22m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 63 | 73.5 mi | 1h 29m |
| U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway | 54.4 mi | 58m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 54.3 mi | 58m |
| North Bishop Avenue | 47.4 mi | 58m |
| MO A | 7.5 mi | 10m |
| MO E | 7.5 mi | 10m |
| South Noland Road | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 2.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US 63
— 73.5 mi, about 1h 29m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 13 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,251 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~346 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Houston, 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
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 128A
Toward US 63: Jefferson City, Moberly
15
Turn slight right
192 ft
·
4 sec
Toward US 63 South: Jefferson City
16
Merge onto US 63 Conn
521 ft
·
11 sec
·
US 63 Conn
Use the slight right lane.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward US 63 South: Jefferson City
Use the straight lane.
18
Merge onto US 63
27 mi
·
29 min
·
US 63
19
Take the exit onto US 63
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
US 63
Toward US 54 West, US 63 South: Jefferson City
20
Take the exit onto US 63
217 ft
·
4 sec
·
US 63
Toward US 63 South, US 50
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 63
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
US 63
Toward US 63 South, US 50
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 63
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
US 63
Toward US 63 South, US 50 East
Use the slight left lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 63
12 mi
·
14 min
·
US 63
24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 63
33 mi
·
43 min
·
US 63
Toward US 63 South: Rolla
25
Turn right onto MO A
7.5 mi
·
10 min
·
MO A
26
Turn straight onto MO E
7.5 mi
·
10 min
·
MO E
27
Enter roundabout onto MO E
62 ft
·
1 sec
·
Tim Bradley Way
28
Continue on MO E
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
Tim Bradley Way
Use the left lane.
29
Turn slight right onto I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63
30 ft
·
0 sec
·
North Bishop Avenue
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63
145 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Bishop Avenue
31
Continue on I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63
47 mi
·
58 min
·
North Bishop Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
32
Turn right onto MO F
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Walnut Street
33
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
North 2nd Street
34
Turn right
176 ft
·
7 sec
35
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 5m estimated duration, departing Independence, MO in the morning should allow you to reach Houston, MO with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $45, this drive is easily manageable in a single day. The longest stretch without a major highway is substantial, so be mindful of fuel levels, especially as you approach the 73.5-mile mark on US 63. Since this is a relatively short drive, you have flexibility in your departure time and can adjust your pace as needed.
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 128.4 miles from Independence, MO, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.5 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 57 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.4 miles or 2h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Houston, 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 256.9 miles and 5h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 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 US 63 for about 73.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
128 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 128.4 miles from Independence, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 63 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Concordia Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Boonville Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Boonville Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Betty's Truck Stop
0.1 mi from route
Midway Auto Truck Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 245 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 148.9 — 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
6
119.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward US 63: Jefferson City, Moberly
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 128A
Toward US 63: Jefferson City, Moberly
7
119.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m in
|
US 63 Conn
Merge onto US 63 Conn
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
148.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
|
US 63
Keep slight left at fork onto US 63 toward US 63 South, US 50
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 63 South, US 50
9
148.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
|
US 63
Keep slight left at fork onto US 63 toward US 63 South, US 50 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 63 South, US 50 East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.71 one way
$85.42 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
90 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $46.53 | $93.05 |
| premium | $5.18 | $52.42 | $104.84 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $54.11 | $108.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.1 | 0 | $26.97 | $12.33 |
| Efficient EV | 64.2 | 0 | $22.48 | $10.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102.8 | 1 | $35.97 | $16.44 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Origin
Independence, MO
Afternoon in Independence on Wednesday
Local time
3:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
ESE 8 mph
62% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Houston, MO
Afternoon in Houston on Wednesday
Local time
3:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 6 mph
60% chance
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 5m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 29% of this 256.9-mile drive on highways, with the remaining miles on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a main road is 73.5 miles along US 63. Expect a significant amount of driving on surface roads, which often means passing through towns and encountering more varied speed limits. The transition from highway to surface roads will be noticeable as you move away from major thoroughfares.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.5 mi on US 63.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 256.9 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 119.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.6 miles (US 63 Conn): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,249 ft
561 ft
Total Climb
930 ft
Total Descent
806 ft
Highest Point
1,249 ft
~238.5 mi in
Elevation Range
688 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Houston, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Moberly along the way.
Moberly
119.4 mi in
|
~2h 12m
About the Cities
Starting in Independence, MO
Full guide →Founded 1827
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
Arriving in Houston, MO
Full guide →Founded 1857
Houston is a sprawling port city in Southeastern Texas. An oil boom and continuing international immigration has brought explosive growth to the city, and it is now the fifth largest metropolitan area in the United States and the most diverse large city since 2021. While at first glance, the city appears to be a 9-5 central business district surrounded by a sea of suburbs and strip malls, there are many hidden gems to be discovered.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 5m. Total distance: 256.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.5 miles on US 63. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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 Houston, 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. There are 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.6 miles (US 63 Conn): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Houston, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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