Independence, MO to Mound City, MO is 100.4 miles and takes about 1 hour 54 minutes via I-29, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within the Midwest, connecting two points in Missouri. It's a straightforward trip, primarily on interstates, making it ideal for a quick day trip or an easy leg of a longer journey. The route is efficient and largely uncomplicated, suitable for travelers prioritizing speed and directness.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.2 miles from Independence, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 29
67.1 mi
1h 12m
I 435
20.9 mi
22m
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
6.2 mi
7m
West Truman Road
3.9 mi
8m
I435 N
1.3 mi
1m
State Street
0.2 mi
<1m
South Main Street
0.2 mi
<1m
MO 118
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 29
— 67.1 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence, MO and Mound City, MO.
1
Start on East Kansas Avenue
63 ft·4 sec·East Kansas Avenue
2
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.2 mi·49 sec·South Main Street
3
Turn left onto West Truman Road
3.9 mi·8 min·West Truman Road
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 435 North, US 24 East: Claycomo, Des Moines
5
Merge onto I 435; US 24
6.2 mi·7 min·Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
6
Continue on I435 N
1.3 mi·1 min·I435 N
7
Continue on I 435
21 mi·22 min·I 435
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71
37 mi·40 min·I 29; US 71
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
9
Continue on I 29; US 59; US 71
30 mi·32 min·I 29; US 59; US 71
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 84Toward MO 118: Mound City
11
Turn right onto MO 118
0.2 mi·21 sec·MO 118
12
Turn right onto US 59
0.2 mi·49 sec·State Street
13
Turn left
97 ft·7 sec
14
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 1-day drive of just over 100 miles, you have the flexibility to leave at your convenience. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unforeseen delays. With a duration under two hours, you likely won't need many stops, but keep an eye on fuel levels, especially as you approach Mound City. Plan your last significant fuel stop before getting onto I-29 for the longest stretch, ensuring you have ample range.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 50.2 miles from Independence, MO, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.1 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 22 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.2 miles or 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mound City, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Independence, MO
This is one driving day of about 100.4 miles and 1h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Independence, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 29 for about 67.1 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 99.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|South Main Street
Turn right onto South Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
4.1 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the ramp toward I 435 North, US 24 East: Claycomo, Des Moines
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 435 North, US 24 East: Claycomo, Des M...
6
32.6 mi into trip|~40m in|I 29; US 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71 toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
5
99.7 mi into trip|~1h 53m in
Take the exit toward MO 118: Mound City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 84
Toward MO 118: Mound City
5
99.9 mi into trip|~1h 53m in|MO 118
Turn right onto MO 118
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.70 one way
$31.39 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$17.23
$34.47
premium
$4.89
$19.32
$38.64
diesel
$5.61
$22.17
$44.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.1
0
$10.54
$4.82
Efficient EV
25.1
0
$8.79
$4.02
EV Truck/SUV
40.2
0
$14.06
$6.43
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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
11:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Mound City, MO
Night
in Mound City on Saturday
Local time
11:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°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
2 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
1h 54m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway drive, with 89% of the journey utilizing major interstates. You'll experience a consistent pace for much of the trip, including a longest stretch of 67.1 miles on I-29. Expect smooth sailing and minimal interruptions as you cover ground efficiently. The character remains largely highway-focused throughout, offering a predictable driving experience as you travel north.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.1 mi on I 29.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 29 and I 435. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Main Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 54m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.6 miles (I 29; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 54m. Total distance: 100.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 67.1 miles on I 29. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.6 miles (I 29; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Mound City, MO before heading back.
