Ironton, MO to Independence, MO is 288.3 miles and takes about 6h 6m via I 70 and MO 21, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, traversing Missouri for its entirety. Given its mostly highway profile and single recommended day, this route is a straightforward option for getting from point A to point B efficiently. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a practical choice for a quick transit.
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
144.2 miles from Ironton, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
176.4 mi
3h 14m
MO 47
51.5 mi
1h 22m
MO 21
38.6 mi
56m
MO 30
6.2 mi
9m
North Main Street
6.2 mi
8m
South Noland Road
3 mi
5m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi
3m
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 176.4 mi, about 3h 14m
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 Ironton, MO and Independence, MO.
Exit 12Toward Noland RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3.0 mi·5 min·South Noland Road
18
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
466 ft·22 sec·East Walnut Street
19
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
394 ft·22 sec·South Lynn Street
20
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
145 ft·6 sec·East Kansas Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
East Kansas Avenue
Trip Plan
With a 6-hour drive time, leaving in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and arrive comfortably. The route has only one recommended stop, so plan your fuel and breaks accordingly, especially considering the $45 estimated fuel cost. The longest stretch without significant exits is 176.4 miles on I 70, so ensure you're fueled up before entering this segment. Because this is a feasible same-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time, but an early start will allow for a more relaxed pace.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 144.2 miles from Ironton, MO, or about 3h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 176.4 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 63 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.2 miles or 3h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Independence, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ironton, 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 Ironton, MO
This is one driving day of about 288.3 miles and 6h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Ironton, 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 I 70 for about 176.4 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 72.6 and 288.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
72.6 mi into trip|~1h 51m in|US 50; MO 47
At end of road, turn left onto US 50; MO 47
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
73.1 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|MO 47
Turn right onto MO 47
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
104.2 mi into trip|~2h 40m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia, Jonesburg
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia, Jonesbu...
7
284.9 mi into trip|~5h 59m in
Take the exit toward Noland Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12
Toward Noland Road
5
288.2 mi into trip|~6h 5m in|South Lynn Street
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.58 one way
$85.15 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$47.00
$94.00
premium
$4.72
$53.53
$107.06
diesel
$4.80
$54.44
$108.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.5
1
$30.27
$13.84
Efficient EV
72.1
0
$25.23
$11.53
EV Truck/SUV
115.3
1
$40.36
$18.45
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Ironton, MO
Late night
in Ironton on Sunday
Local time
12:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
SW 2 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Independence, MO
Late night
in Independence on Sunday
Local time
12:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
SSW 9 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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
6h 6m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 is 95% highway, meaning you'll encounter limited-access roads for the vast majority of the 288.3 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch on I 70 spans 176.4 miles, offering extended periods of consistent cruising. You'll transition to MO 47 and MO 21 for the remaining 5% of the drive, which will likely involve more local traffic and potentially more frequent exits as you approach your destination. Expect dense exits on I 70.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 176.4 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and MO 47. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 72.6 miles in near US 50; MO 47.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 6m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 13 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 72.6 miles (US 50; MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 73.1 miles (MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 104.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,034 ft485 ft
Total Climb
974 ft
Total Descent
852 ft
Highest Point
1,034 ft
~288.3 mi in
Elevation Range
550 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 Ironton, MO to Independence, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Jonesburg 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 176.4 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Independence, 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 72.6 miles (US 50; MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 73.1 miles (MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 104.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Independence, MO before the return drive.
