Lincoln, MO to East Independence, MO is 102.7 miles and takes about 2h 8m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, US 65, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, moving you across the Midwest region. It's a fairly direct drive, mostly on main roads that connect communities. Given the relatively short distance and duration, it's well-suited for a single day, allowing you ample time to reach your destination without feeling rushed. Plan for this to be a straightforward trip connecting two points in Missouri.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.3 miles from Lincoln, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
32.3 mi
34m
West Broadway Boulevard
24.6 mi
30m
US 65
22.8 mi
28m
MO 13
17 mi
21m
South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi
3m
South Jackson Drive
1.2 mi
2m
Holke Road
0.9 mi
2m
East Truman Road
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 32.3 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lincoln, MO and East Independence, MO.
1
Start on Ohio Street
30 ft·3 sec·Ohio Street
2
Turn right onto MO C
0.3 mi·35 sec·East Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 65
23 mi·28 min·US 65
4
Turn left onto US 50
25 mi·30 min·West Broadway Boulevard
Use the left lane.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward MO 13: Clinton, HigginsvilleUse the right lane.
6
Turn slight right onto MO 13
4.8 mi·6 min·MO 13
7
Enter roundabout onto MO 13
67 ft·0 sec·MO 13
8
Continue on MO 13
12 mi·15 min·MO 13
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
10
Merge onto I 70; US 40
32 mi·34 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 17Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall EntranceUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn right onto South Little Blue Parkway
1.6 mi·3 min·South Little Blue Parkway
13
Turn left onto East R.D. Mize Road
0.2 mi·37 sec·East R.D. Mize Road
14
Turn right onto South Jackson Drive
1.2 mi·2 min·South Jackson Drive
15
Turn straight onto Holke Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Holke Road
16
Turn left onto East Truman Road
0.7 mi·1 min·East Truman Road
17
Turn right onto Main Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Main Road
18
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
79 ft·3 sec·East 9th Street South
19
Arrive at destination
East 9th Street South
Trip Plan
For this 102.7-mile trip, leaving in the morning is recommended to maximize your daylight hours, especially since it's a single-day drive estimated at just over 2 hours. With a fuel cost around $16, filling up before you leave Lincoln, MO, should be sufficient. There are no specific stops noted, so feel free to take breaks as needed, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your exit numbers on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway to gauge your progress. The flexibility of a shorter drive means you can depart at your convenience.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 51.3 miles from Lincoln, MO, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.3 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 23 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.3 miles or 1h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Independence, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lincoln, 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 Lincoln, MO
This is one driving day of about 102.7 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Lincoln, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 32.3 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 97.5 — 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|MO C / East Main Street
Turn right onto MO C / East Main Street
Navigation decision point
7
47.8 mi into trip|~59m in
Take the exit toward MO 13: Clinton, Higginsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward MO 13: Clinton, Higginsville
5
52.9 mi into trip|~1h 6m in|MO 13
Enter roundabout onto MO 13
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
65 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
8
97.5 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 17
Toward Little Blue Parkway, 39th Street, Mall E...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.06 one way
$32.11 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$17.63
$35.26
premium
$4.89
$19.76
$39.53
diesel
$5.61
$22.67
$45.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
7 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.8
0
$10.78
$4.93
Efficient EV
25.7
0
$8.99
$4.11
EV Truck/SUV
41.1
0
$14.38
$6.57
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (67% 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 19, 2026
Origin
Lincoln, MO
Late night
in Lincoln on Sunday
Local time
1:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Mostly Clear
W 5 to 9 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 8:47PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 8:47PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
East Independence, MO
Late night
in East Independence on Sunday
Local time
1:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Mostly Clear
WSW 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 8:47PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 8:47PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
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
2h 8m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 40% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on faster roads before transitioning to surface streets. The longest continuous stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is 32.3 miles. Expect a mix of highway cruising and navigating through more developed areas with frequent intersections as you approach your destination. This transition from highway to surface roads is typical as you enter larger towns.
40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.3 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MO C / East Main Street.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 102.7 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MO C / East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 47.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.9 miles (MO 13): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lincoln, MO and East Independence, MO, road signs point toward Higginsville and Mall Entrance.
Higginsville
47.8 mi in|~59m
Mall Entrance
97.5 mi in|~1h 57m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 8m. Total distance: 102.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (40%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.3 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 (MO C / East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 47.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.9 miles (MO 13): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at East Independence, MO before heading back.
