Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 50m
Distance
241.6 mi
389 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Licking, MO
Agung Pratama
East Independence, MO
Momo King
Licking, MO to East Independence, MO is 241.6 miles and takes about 4h 50m via US 63 and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region. The route offers a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, making it a straightforward drive. With a recommended single day of travel, it's a convenient option for a quick trip across the state.
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
120.8 miles from Licking, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 63 | 106.5 mi | 2h 11m |
| U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway | 54.4 mi | 58m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 54.3 mi | 58m |
| MO E | 7.5 mi | 10m |
| MO A | 7.5 mi | 10m |
| South Little Blue Parkway | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| US 54 | 1.4 mi | 1m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,755 veh/hr typical · worst 3,187
Quietest
1 AM
~247 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Licking, MO and East Independence, MO.
Start on North Main Street
Turn right onto MO 32; MO 137
Turn right onto US 63
Continue on I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63
Keep slight left at fork onto I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63
Keep slight right at fork onto MO E
Enter roundabout onto MO E
Continue on MO E
Turn right onto MO A
Turn left onto US 63; MO 28
Take the exit onto US 63
Merge onto US 54; US 63
Take the exit onto US 63
Take the exit
Continue on US 63 Conn
Take the exit
Merge onto I 70; US 40
Continue on I 70; US 40
Continue on I 70; US 40
Continue on I 70; US 40
Continue on I 70; US 40
Take the exit
Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
Turn right onto South Jackson Drive
Turn straight onto Holke Road
Turn left onto East Truman Road
Turn right onto Main Road
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
Arrive at destination
Given the 4h 50m estimated drive time, starting your trip from Licking, MO in the morning is ideal for a same-day arrival in East Independence, MO. While there's only one recommended stop, consider breaking up the 106.5-mile stretch on US 63 if you prefer more frequent pauses. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $38 for this 241.6-mile trip. The mixed highway and surface road profile means you'll experience varied driving conditions, so stay alert as you transition between road types.
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.
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 53 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.8 miles or 2h 32m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Independence, MO than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Licking, 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 Licking, MO
This is one driving day of about 241.6 miles and 4h 50m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
121 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.
A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 120.8 miles from Licking, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 63 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 236.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto US 63
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63 / North Bishop Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward I 70, US 40, MO PP: Kansas City, Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall Entrance
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$37.46 one way
$74.92 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $41.07 | $82.14 |
| premium | $4.93 | $46.87 | $93.75 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $53.26 | $106.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.5 | 0 | $25.37 | $11.60 |
| Efficient EV | 60.4 | 0 | $21.14 | $9.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 96.6 | 1 | $33.82 | $15.46 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Licking on Wednesday
Local time
3:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Partly Sunny
Destination
Late night in East Independence on Wednesday
Local time
3:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Sunny
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
You'll spend about 46% of this 241.6-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on major roads is 106.5 miles on US 63. Expect a shift from highway driving to surface roads as you approach your destination. This means you'll notice a change in traffic density and exit frequency.
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 0.3 miles in near US 63.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 241.6 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 0.3 miles (US 63): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.2 miles (I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63 / North Bishop Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 123.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
609 ft
Total Descent
1,043 ft
Highest Point
1,264 ft
Elevation Range
627 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Licking, MO and East Independence, MO, road signs point toward Columbia, Mo Pp: Kansas City and Saint Louis.
Columbia
Mo Pp: Kansas City
Saint Louis
Founded 1826
Licking is in the Ozarks and Southwest region of Missouri.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 50m. Total distance: 241.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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