If you are planning a trip from Independence to Nixa, you are looking at a 182.6-mile journey through the Missouri Midwest. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 41 minutes behind the wheel for this trek. Because the total duration is under four hours, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $28 for fuel to cover the distance. Since the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, it offers a more grounded, steady pace for your travels across the state.
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
91.3 miles from Independence, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MO 13
75.9 mi
1h 33m
MO 7
55.6 mi
1h 4m
I 49
26 mi
28m
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
8.3 mi
9m
South Campbell Avenue
6.4 mi
9m
South Noland Road
3 mi
4m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.9 mi
3m
George Brett Super Highway
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
MO 13
— 75.9 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence, MO and Nixa, 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
76 mi·1 hr 33 min·MO 13
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Take the ramp onto MO 13
0.3 mi·36 sec·MO 13
Toward US 60 East, US 160 East, MO 13 South: Rogersville
18
Merge onto US 60; US 160; MO 13
0.9 mi·1 min·James River Freeway
19
Take the exit onto US 160; MO 13
0.2 mi·27 sec·US 160; MO 13
Toward MO 13 South, US 160 East: Nixa
20
Continue on US 160; MO 13
6.4 mi·9 min·South Campbell Avenue
21
Turn left onto MO 14
0.5 mi·1 min·West Mount Vernon Street
22
Turn right
59 ft·4 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a straightforward 3-hour and 41-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Planning for one designated stop is a smart way to break up the local road navigation and keep your energy levels up. Keep in mind that since you aren't on major highways, traffic patterns on local streets can fluctuate, so check your GPS for real-time updates before you head out. With $28 set aside for gas, filling your tank before you leave Independence will ensure you have a stress-free trip. Prioritize patience on these turn-heavy stretches, as the local roads require more attention than a standard highway cruise.
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 91.3 miles from Independence, MO, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.9 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 40 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.3 miles or 1h 47m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nixa, 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 182.6 miles and 3h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 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 MO 13 for about 75.9 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 16.8 — 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 Lynn Street
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
Navigation decision point
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.55 one way
$57.09 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$31.34
$62.69
premium
$4.89
$35.14
$70.28
diesel
$5.61
$40.32
$80.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.8
0
$19.17
$8.76
Efficient EV
45.7
0
$15.98
$7.30
EV Truck/SUV
73
0
$25.56
$11.69
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% 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
Late night
in Independence on Sunday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Nixa, MO
Late night
in Nixa on Sunday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Holden, MO
91 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 41m 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?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that prioritizes navigation over speed. You will spend your time winding through routes like South Lynn Street, East Walnut Street, and South Noland Road rather than cruising on high-speed interstates. Because this route features a 0% highway share, the experience is defined by constant maneuvering rather than long, monotonous stretches of pavement. This is a hands-on driving experience where your focus will stay on local infrastructure as you transition between these Missouri communities. Expect a consistent, technical pace that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75.9 mi on MO 13.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 13 and MO 7. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Lynn Street.
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 16 significant decision points across 182.6 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: near the start (South Lynn Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
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 Nixa, 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 41m. Total distance: 182.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75.9 miles on MO 13. 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 Nixa, 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: near the start (South Lynn Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Nixa, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
