Independence, MO to Roubidoux, MO is 230.7 miles and takes about 5h 9m via MO 7, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, specifically traversing Missouri for its entirety. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on highways, making it a practical choice for a single-day excursion. If you're looking for a direct route with minimal fuss, this option covers the distance efficiently.
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
115.4 miles from Independence, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MO 7
77 mi
1h 39m
MO 17
29.5 mi
42m
East Division Road
27.6 mi
37m
I 49
26 mi
28m
MO 5
24.9 mi
29m
I 44
9.9 mi
10m
Lamar Hunt Memorial Highway
8.3 mi
9m
US Historic 66
6.3 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
MO 7
— 77 mi, about 1h 39m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,376 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,081
Quietest
2 AM
~360 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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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 Roubidoux, 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
39 mi·44 min·MO 7
Exit 157Toward MO 7 South: ClintonUse the left lane.
16
Turn left onto MO 7
0.6 mi·1 min·East Ohio Street
17
Continue on MO 7
28 mi·37 min·East Division Road
18
Take the ramp onto MO 7
6.5 mi·8 min·MO 7
Toward MO 7 South, MO 65 South: Springfield
19
Turn left onto MO 7
31 mi·46 min·MO 7
20
At end of road, turn right onto MO 5; MO 7
25 mi·29 min·MO 5; MO 7
21
Turn left onto MO BB
2.4 mi·4 min·MO BB
22
Continue on MO F
4.7 mi·8 min·MO F
23
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 44 East: Rolla
24
Merge onto I 44
9.9 mi·10 min·I 44
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 145Toward MO 133, MO AB: Richland
26
Turn right onto MO AB
226 ft·8 sec·MO AB
27
Continue on US Historic 66; MO AB
6.3 mi·8 min·US Historic 66; MO AB
28
Turn right
176 ft·11 sec
29
Turn right onto MO 17
29 mi·42 min·MO 17
30
Turn right onto MO M
0.8 mi·1 min·MO M
31
Turn left onto Gladden Road
1.3 mi·4 min·Gladden Road
32
Continue on Gladden Road
1.7 mi·6 min·Gladden Road
33
Turn straight onto Roubidoux Road
310 ft·14 sec·Roubidoux Road
34
Turn right onto Flat Rock Road
0.1 mi·24 sec·Flat Rock Road
35
Arrive at destination
Flat Rock Road
Trip Plan
Consider departing Independence, MO in the morning to maximize daylight and allow ample time for the 5h 9m drive. With a total distance of 230.7 miles and a fuel cost estimate of $35, this trip is easily manageable in one day, meaning you have flexibility with stops. The longest continuous stretch is 77 miles on MO 7, so plan your break before or after that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition from highway to local roads in the latter part of the trip.
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 115.4 miles from Independence, MO, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77 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 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.4 miles or 2h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Roubidoux, 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 230.7 miles and 5h 9m.
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 MO 7 for about 77 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.3 and 190.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
6
190.5 mi into trip|~4h 2m in
Take the exit toward MO 133, MO AB: Richland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 145
Toward MO 133, MO AB: Richland
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.03 one way
$72.06 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.33
$39.33
$78.66
premium
$4.69
$42.58
$85.16
diesel
$5.99
$54.43
$108.86
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: 80.7 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.2
0
$24.22
$11.07
Efficient EV
57.7
0
$20.19
$9.23
EV Truck/SUV
92.3
1
$32.30
$14.76
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
7:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Cloudy
NNW 14 to 18 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Roubidoux, MO
Morning
in Roubidoux on Saturday
Local time
7:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°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
31 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
5h 9m 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 is primarily highway driving, with 73% of the trip on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 77 miles on MO 7, offering consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads like MO 17 and East Division Road will become more noticeable as you approach your destination, shifting the feel from open highway to more rural sections.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77 mi on MO 7.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 7 and MO 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.3 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 230.7 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 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; at 16.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,291 ft785 ft
Total Climb
676 ft
Total Descent
581 ft
Highest Point
1,291 ft
~214.2 mi in
Elevation Range
506 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Independence, MO and Roubidoux, MO, road signs point toward Lee's Summit and Mo Ab: Richland.
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 5h 9m. Total distance: 230.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 77 miles on MO 7. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 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 Roubidoux, 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 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 16.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Roubidoux, MO before the return drive.
