Independence, MO to Normandy, MO is 232.7 miles and takes about 4h 30m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and other surface roads, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, primarily traversing Missouri. Expect a journey dominated by surface roads, making it a more relaxed pace than a pure highway cruise. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, it’s a good option for a single-day excursion.
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
116.4 miles from Independence, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
165.7 mi
3h 12m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
South Noland Road
3.1 mi
5m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.6 mi
3m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.9 mi
2m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi
1m
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.5 mi
1m
Bermuda Drive
0.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 165.7 mi, about 3h 12m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 68 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,925 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,568
Quietest
2 AM
~345 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Normandy, 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
1.9 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
111 mi·2 hr 13 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·24 sec
Exit 241AToward Bermuda RoadUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 241AToward Bermuda RoadUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn left
51 ft·8 sec
Exit 241AToward Bermuda Road
18
Turn left onto Bermuda Drive
0.7 mi·2 min·Bermuda Drive
19
Turn left onto Ellington Drive
0.2 mi·54 sec·Ellington Drive
20
At end of road, turn left onto Holborn Drive
0.2 mi·46 sec·Holborn Drive
21
Arrive at destination
Holborn Drive
Trip Plan
For this 4.5-hour drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. Since it’s a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but planning for one stop around the halfway point is sensible. Be mindful of the fuel cost estimate of $37, and ensure you have sufficient gas before embarking. The route's surface road nature means you'll navigate through various communities, so pay attention to speed limit changes and local traffic patterns, particularly on the 165.7-mile segment of Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
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 116.4 miles from Independence, MO, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.7 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 51 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.4 miles or 2h 8m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Normandy, 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 232.7 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 165.7 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 231.6 — 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
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
7
231.2 mi into trip|~4h 26m in
Take the exit toward Bermuda Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 241A
Toward Bermuda Road
9
231.5 mi into trip|~4h 26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Bermuda Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 241A
Toward Bermuda Road
6
231.6 mi into trip|~4h 26m in
Turn left toward Bermuda Road
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Exit 241A
Toward Bermuda Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.34 one way
$72.69 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.33
$39.67
$79.34
premium
$4.69
$42.95
$85.90
diesel
$5.99
$54.90
$109.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.8
0
$24.43
$11.17
Efficient EV
58.2
0
$20.36
$9.31
EV Truck/SUV
93.1
1
$32.58
$14.89
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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 16, 2026
Origin
Independence, MO
Morning
in Independence on Saturday
Local time
7:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Cloudy
NNW 14 to 18 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 1:51AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Destination
Normandy, MO
Morning
in Normandy on Saturday
Local time
7:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
NW 18 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 1:51AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
56°F
Columbia, MO
116 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
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
4h 30m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Gateway Arch National Park
National Park
Gateway Arch National Park commemorates President Jefferson’s vision of a continental nation, the individuals and cultural groups who helped shape its history, St. Louis’ role in westward expansion, a...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
$19
near mile 232.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, with 0% highway driving. You'll encounter a long stretch of 165.7 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which will feel like a continuous road rather than distinct highway segments. Given the profile, anticipate frequent intersections and traffic signals, especially as you pass through towns. The longest continuous stretch on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway will offer a more consistent pace before you transition to other surface roads.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 165.7 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Lynn Street.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 232.7 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Lynn Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 231.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 30m. Total distance: 232.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 165.7 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Lynn Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 231.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Normandy, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
