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Trip from Independence, MO to Rolla, MO

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 6m

Distance

211.3 mi

340 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 54m ★
6 AM
4h 7m
8 AM
4h 33m
10 AM
4h 16m
12 PM
4h 13m
3 PM
4h 17m
5 PM
4h 32m
8 PM
3h 59m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Jackson and Clay counties in Missouri, United States, that is one of two county seats in Jackson County

Independence, MO

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Phelps County, Missouri, United States

Rolla, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 211.3-mile drive from Independence, MO, to Rolla, MO, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 6 minutes to complete. You'll navigate local roads for the entirety of the journey, with no highway driving involved. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $32. Given its manageable distance and turn-heavy nature, it's a straightforward drive through the Midwest that won't demand an overnight stay. Plan for a relaxed pace, as the route involves frequent turns.

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

105.7 miles from Independence, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 63 90.5 mi 1h 50m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway 54.4 mi 58m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 54.3 mi 58m
South Noland Road 3.1 mi 5m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway 2.6 mi 3m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway 1.6 mi 1m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway 1.5 mi 1m
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway 1.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: US 63 — 90.5 mi, about 1h 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Independence, MO and Rolla, 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

50 mi · 1 hr 3 min · US 63
Toward US 63 South: Rolla Use the straight lane.
25

Turn left onto North Elm Street

0.3 mi · 57 sec · North Elm Street
26

At end of road, turn right onto West 14th Street

147 ft · 10 sec · West 14th Street
27

Turn left onto North Elm Street

0.3 mi · 47 sec · North Elm Street
28

Turn right onto MO BB

203 ft · 6 sec · West 10th Street
29

Arrive at destination

MO BB

Trip Plan

For this 211.3-mile trip, consider leaving Independence, MO, in the morning to make the most of daylight for navigating the numerous turns. With a total duration of 4 hours and 6 minutes and one planned stop, you can easily complete this drive in a single day. The $32 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting, and since it's a local road-focused route, pay close attention to GPS or navigation cues, especially when approaching intersections. A good tip is to keep your fuel tank at least half full, as you might encounter fewer services on smaller local roads compared to interstate highways.

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 105.7 miles from Independence, MO, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.5 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 46 miles or 52m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 105.7 miles or 1h 56m 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 16m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rolla, 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 211.3 miles and 4h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 90.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Columbia, MO

106 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

Warrensburg, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Columbia, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 105.7 miles from Independence, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 63 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 90.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Café Verona

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Independence, Missouri

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18168330044

Visit website

Cafe Poland by Iwona

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbia, Missouri

1.9 mi

Cafe Berlin

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbia, Missouri

1.9 mi

Café Verona

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30

Independence, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18168330044

Visit website

Cafe Poland by Iwona

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 120.8

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 5–8 pm

+17024270048

Visit website

Cafe Berlin

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 120.8

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+15734410400

Visit website

Cajun Crab House Seafood Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 120.8

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: 3–8 pm

+15732346277

Visit website

Thailand Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 15.1

Blue Springs, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+18162293292

Visit website

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Independence, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18167955520

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 211.3

Rolla, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 120.8

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 120.8

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 120.8

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.4 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 211.3

Rolla, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 150.9

Jefferson City, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Pilot EV Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 90.6

Boonville, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16608829120

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 150.9

Jefferson City, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 21

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 161.1 — 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
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
7
161.1 mi into trip | ~3h in | US 63

Keep slight right at fork onto US 63 toward US 63 South: Rolla

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward US 63 South: Rolla

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.03 one way

$66.07 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 74 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $36.27 $72.54
premium $4.89 $40.66 $81.33
diesel $5.61 $46.65 $93.30

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 73.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 63.4 0 $22.19 $10.14
Efficient EV 52.8 0 $18.49 $8.45
EV Truck/SUV 84.5 1 $29.58 $13.52

Gas CO2

74 kg

EV CO2

25 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

Late night in Independence on Sunday

Local time

2:28 AM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Rolla, MO

Late night in Rolla on Sunday

Local time

2:28 AM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

74°F

Columbia, MO

106 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 6m 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?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this entire 211.3-mile stretch. With a highway share of 0%, you'll be on surface streets and county roads for the full 4 hours and 6 minutes. There isn't a 'longest stretch' of uninterrupted driving to note, so be prepared for constant navigation and adjustments. This route is characterized by its frequent changes in direction rather than long, straightaways, making it feel more like a series of connected local journeys.

43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.5 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 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 21 significant decision points across 211.3 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 119.6 miles (US 63 Conn): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.8 miles (US 63): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Rolla, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Moberly along the way.

Moberly

119.4 mi in | ~2h 12m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 6m. Total distance: 211.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 90.5 miles on US 63. 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 Rolla, 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: at 3.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.6 miles (US 63 Conn): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.8 miles (US 63): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Rolla, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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