Independence, MO to Licking, MO is 243.3 miles and takes about 4h 48m via US 63, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. About 30% of your travel will be on highways, meaning you'll experience a mix of faster driving and more local roads. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in a single day.
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
121.6 miles from Independence, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m 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
33.9 mi
42m
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 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,287 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~346 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.4×
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 Licking, MO.
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 128AToward 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 CityUse 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 EastUse 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
34 mi·42 min·North Bishop Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
32
Turn left onto MO 32; MO 137
0.3 mi·39 sec·MO 32; MO 137
33
Turn left onto North Main Street
69 ft·3 sec·North Main Street
34
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
This 243.3-mile drive from Independence to Licking can comfortably be done in one day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow ample time for any brief stops. With a total driving time of under 5 hours, you won't need to split the drive, but remember that the longest stretch on US 63 is 73.5 miles, so plan your breaks accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you transition from highway to surface roads, as stations may become less frequent.
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 121.6 miles from Independence, MO, or about 2h 15m 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 54 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.6 miles or 2h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Licking, 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 243.3 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 23
5 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
$40.59 one way
$81.17 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$44.28
$88.57
premium
$5.25
$50.32
$100.63
diesel
$6.28
$60.12
$120.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73
0
$25.55
$11.68
Efficient EV
60.8
0
$21.29
$9.73
EV Truck/SUV
97.3
1
$34.06
$15.57
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Independence, MO
Morning
in Independence on Saturday
Local time
6:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Partly Sunny
SSE 6 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Licking, MO
Morning
in Licking on Saturday
Local time
6:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Patchy Frost then Sunny
SE 5 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
1 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
4h 48m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a mixed highway and surface road profile, with 30% of the drive on highways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 73.5 miles on US 63, offering a good period of uninterrupted cruising. After this, expect to transition to surface roads for the remainder of your travel. The abundance of exits on the highway segments will give you plenty of opportunities to pull off if needed.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 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
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 243.3 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
1,264 ft595 ft
Total Climb
862 ft
Total Descent
632 ft
Highest Point
1,264 ft
~243.3 mi in
Elevation Range
669 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 Licking, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Moberly along the way.
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 4h 48m. Total distance: 243.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface 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 Licking, 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Licking, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
