Moline Acres to Independence is 236.7 miles and takes about 4 hours 34 minutes via I-70 and I-270, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, moving from one part of the Midwest to another. Given its profile of mostly highway driving, it’s a straightforward trip that should feel familiar to most drivers. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a convenient option for a quick visit or 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
118.3 miles from Moline Acres, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
215.4 mi
4h 4m
I 270
10.5 mi
13m
South Noland Road
3 mi
5m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi
3m
Lewis and Clark Boulevard
1.8 mi
2m
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.4 mi
1m
East Walnut Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
South Lynn Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 215.4 mi, about 4h 4m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,943 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~346 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 Moline Acres, MO and Independence, MO.
1
Start on Berwyn Drive
75 ft·3 sec·Berwyn Drive
2
Turn left onto MO 367
1.8 mi·2 min·Lewis and Clark Boulevard
3
Turn left
0.3 mi·26 sec
4
Merge onto I 270
10 mi·13 min·I 270
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·25 sec
Exit 20AToward I 70: Saint Louis, Kansas City
6
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·42 sec·this road
Exit 20A-BToward I 70: Saint Louis, Kansas CityUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·41 sec
Exit 20BToward I 70 West: Kansas CityUse the slight right lane.
Exit 12Toward Noland RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3.0 mi·5 min·South Noland Road
13
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
466 ft·22 sec·East Walnut Street
14
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
394 ft·22 sec·South Lynn Street
15
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
145 ft·6 sec·East Kansas Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
East Kansas Avenue
Trip Plan
With a drive time under 5 hours, this route is easily manageable in a single day. Consider leaving in the morning to allow for any unexpected delays. The route has only one recommended stop, but with the majority of the drive on I-70, you'll encounter numerous service areas and exits for fuel or rest if needed. The fuel cost estimate is around $37, so plan accordingly. Since you'll be on major highways for most of the trip, keep an eye on traffic patterns, especially as you approach urban areas near Independence.
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 118.3 miles from Moline Acres, MO, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 215.4 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 52 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.3 miles or 2h 16m 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 42m
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 Moline Acres, 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 Moline Acres, MO
This is one driving day of about 236.7 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Moline Acres, 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 215.4 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 233.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.1 mi into trip|~3m in|I 270
Merge onto I 270
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
12.6 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward I 70: Saint Louis, Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 20A
Toward I 70: Saint Louis, Kansas City
5
12.8 mi into trip|~16m in
Continue toward I 70: Saint Louis, Kansas City
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 20A-B
Toward I 70: Saint Louis, Kansas City
8
13.3 mi into trip|~17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 70 West: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 20B
Toward I 70 West: Kansas City
7
233.3 mi into trip|~4h 27m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.96 one way
$69.91 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$38.59
$77.18
premium
$4.72
$43.95
$87.90
diesel
$4.80
$44.69
$89.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71
0
$24.85
$11.36
Efficient EV
59.2
0
$20.71
$9.47
EV Truck/SUV
94.7
1
$33.14
$15.15
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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
Moline Acres, MO
Late night
in Moline Acres on Sunday
Local time
1:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
W 10 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:57AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Independence, MO
Late night
in Independence on Sunday
Local time
1:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 8 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:57AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
67°F
Centralia, MO
118 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 34m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Gateway Arch National Park
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 95% highway, meaning you'll be on interstates for nearly the entire 236.7 miles. The longest continuous stretch on I-70 covers 215.4 miles. You'll transition to surface roads, specifically South Noland Road, towards the end of your trip. Expect a high volume of exits and potential for merging traffic as you navigate these major roadways.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 215.4 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and I 270. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in near I 270.
Driving Effort6/10
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 236.7 miles you will encounter 10 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: at 2.1 miles (I 270): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,034 ft484 ft
Total Climb
936 ft
Total Descent
386 ft
Highest Point
1,034 ft
~236.7 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 Moline Acres, MO to Independence, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Kansas 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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 34m. Total distance: 236.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 215.4 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 33 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 route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. 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 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles (I 270): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Independence, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
