Independence, MO to Winfield, MO is 217.7 miles and takes about 4h 15m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and MO 47, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest to Midwest route stays within Missouri, offering a straightforward trip through familiar terrain. Primarily surface roads, it’s designed for a single day of travel, making it a convenient option for a quick getaway. With just one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this drive is about getting from point A to point B 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
108.9 miles from Independence, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
124 mi
2h 18m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
MO 47
13 mi
18m
MO J
11.2 mi
15m
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
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 124 mi, about 2h 18m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 17 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,343 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,885
Quietest
2 AM
~293 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Winfield, 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
70 mi·1 hr 19 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 199Toward MO H: Wright City
16
Turn right onto Wildcat Drive
166 ft·9 sec·Wildcat Drive
17
At end of road, turn left onto MO H
1.0 mi·2 min·Veterans Memorial Parkway
18
Turn left onto MO F; MO J
389 ft·10 sec·North Elm Street
19
Continue on MO J
0.2 mi·26 sec·MO J
20
Continue on MO J
11 mi·15 min·MO J
21
At end of road, turn right onto Boone Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Boone Street
22
At end of road, turn left onto Main Street
426 ft·22 sec·Main Street
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto East Cherry Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·East Cherry Street
24
Enter roundabout onto East Cherry Street
113 ft·2 sec·East Cherry Street
25
Continue on East Cherry Street
1.2 mi·2 min·East Cherry Street
26
Turn right onto MO 47
13 mi·18 min·MO 47
27
At end of road, turn left onto MO 79
0.4 mi·59 sec·MO 79
28
Turn right onto West Cherry Street
21 ft·1 sec·West Cherry Street
29
Arrive at destination
West Cherry Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 15m estimated drive time, starting your trip in the morning from Independence, MO, will allow ample time to reach Winfield, MO, well before evening. Plan for your single recommended stop to be a convenient point for a stretch or a quick bite, especially since the longest continuous stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is 124 miles. The fuel cost is estimated at $38, so ensure your tank is full before departing to minimize any mid-trip refueling needs. As much of the route is on surface roads, be mindful of local speed limits and potential for slower traffic.
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 108.9 miles from Independence, MO, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 124 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 48 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.9 miles or 2h 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Winfield, 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 217.7 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 124 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 203.1 — 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
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|East Walnut Street
Turn left onto East Walnut 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
202.8 mi into trip|~3h 52m in|Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
203.1 mi into trip|~3h 53m in|East Cherry Street
Enter roundabout onto East Cherry Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.15 one way
$64.30 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$35.49
$70.98
premium
$4.72
$40.42
$80.84
diesel
$4.80
$41.11
$82.21
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.3
0
$22.86
$10.45
Efficient EV
54.4
0
$19.05
$8.71
EV Truck/SUV
87.1
1
$30.48
$13.93
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Independence, MO
Late night
in Independence on Sunday
Local time
5:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 6 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:51PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:26PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Winfield, MO
Late night
in Winfield on Sunday
Local time
5:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 9 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:51PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:26PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
87°F
Centralia, MO
109 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 15m 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 drive features a highway share of 7%, meaning you'll spend most of your time on surface roads. You'll encounter the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for a longest stretch of 124 miles, which is a significant portion of the trip. After the highway segments, you'll transition to MO 47, which is part of the surface road profile. Expect a cruising experience with fewer exits and more opportunities to observe the surrounding landscape at a relaxed pace.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 124 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Lynn 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 4h 15m drive. You will face about 18 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 Lynn Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (East Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,034 ft447 ft
Total Climb
363 ft
Total Descent
950 ft
Highest Point
1,034 ft
Elevation Range
587 ft
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 Winfield, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Mo H: Wright City along the way.
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
The longest stretch is about 124 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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 0.1 miles (East Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Winfield, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
