Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Independence, Missouri
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+18167955520
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 42m
Distance
340.7 mi
548 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Marble Hill, MO
Magda Ehlers
Independence, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Marble Hill, MO to Independence, MO is 340.7 miles and takes about 6h 42m via Dwight D Eisenhower Highway and I 55, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest route stays entirely within Missouri, offering a straightforward path across the state. Given its manageable duration, it's a solid option for a single-day trip. You'll encounter a mix of highway and surface roads, so keep an eye on your speed as you transition between them. The fuel cost is estimated at $52, making it a budget-friendly drive.
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
170.4 miles from Marble Hill, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 29m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D Eisenhower Highway | 80.7 mi | 1h 35m |
| I 55 | 65.1 mi | 1h 10m |
| U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway | 54.4 mi | 58m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 54.3 mi | 58m |
| MO 51 | 34.2 mi | 50m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 25.4 mi | 30m |
| I 270 | 11.5 mi | 14m |
| South Noland Road | 3 mi | 5m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 27 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,893 veh/hr typical · worst 3,398
Quietest
1 AM
~270 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Marble Hill, MO and Independence, MO.
Start on High Street
Turn right onto East Main Street
Turn right onto MO 51
Turn left onto MO 51
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 55
Continue on I 55
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on this road
Merge onto I 270
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on this road
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
Take the exit onto US 40
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
Continue on I 70; US 40
Continue on I 70
Continue on I 70
Take the exit
Turn right onto South Noland Road
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
Arrive at destination
With a drive time of under 7 hours, you can easily complete this trip in one day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time for the drive and any unexpected delays. The route has one suggested stop, but with only 340.7 miles, you can be flexible with your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 80.7-mile stretch on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, as services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost is $52, so budget accordingly.
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.
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 75 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 170.4 miles or 3h 29m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Independence, MO than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Marble Hill, 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 Marble Hill, MO
This is one driving day of about 340.7 miles and 6h 42m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
170 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 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 170.4 miles from Marble Hill, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best coffee break · home stretch
Independence, Missouri
Near the end, right off the route
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+18168330044
QTea Vietnamese Cafe
Arnold, Missouri
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Independence, Missouri
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+18167955520
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Independence, Missouri
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+18168330044
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Arnold, Missouri
Hours: 11 am–3 pm
+16363332869
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Columbia, Missouri
Hours: 5–8 pm
+17024270048
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Ballwin, Missouri
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+16365277027
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Columbia, Missouri
Hours: 8 am–2 pm
+15734410400
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Columbia, Missouri
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Columbia, Missouri
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Columbia, Missouri
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Boonville, Missouri
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Columbia, Missouri
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18668167584
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Wentzville, Missouri
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18774943833
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Columbia, Missouri
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~12 min detour
Boonville, Missouri
Hours: Open 24 hours
+16608829120
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 101.1 and 139.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto US 40 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
Regular Gas
$50.31 one way
$100.63 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $55.54 | $111.09 |
| premium | $4.72 | $63.26 | $126.52 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $64.33 | $128.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 102.2 | 1 | $35.77 | $16.35 |
| Efficient EV | 85.2 | 0 | $29.81 | $13.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 136.3 | 1 | $47.70 | $21.80 |
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Marble Hill on Sunday
Local time
1:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Patchy Fog then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Late night in Independence on Sunday
Local time
1:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
91°F
Chesterfield, MO
170 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Historical Park
Established by 1750, Ste. Geneviève was the first permanent European settlement in Missouri. Early French Canadian settlers were drawn here by the rich agricultural land known as Le Grand Champ (the B...
National Park
Gateway Arch National Park commemorates President Jefferson’s vision of a continental nation, the individuals and cultural groups who helped shape its history, St. Louis’ role in westward expansion, a...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This route is about one-third highway, with 33% of the total distance on high-speed roads like Dwight D Eisenhower Highway and I 55. You'll experience a longest stretch of 80.7 miles on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway before encountering surface roads. Expect frequent exits and potential for merging traffic as you approach more populated areas. The profile is mixed highway & surface, meaning you'll transition between faster travel and more local road conditions.
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 101.1 miles in.
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 18 significant decision points across 340.7 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 101.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.7 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
940 ft
Total Descent
407 ft
Highest Point
1,034 ft
~340.7 mi in
Elevation Range
572 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Marble Hill, MO and Independence, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.
Chicago
Saint Louis
Top landmarks
Founded 1827
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 42m. Total distance: 340.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 42m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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