This 99.1-mile drive from New Franklin to Independence, Missouri, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in under two hours. Primarily utilizing US 40 and MO 5, it's a highway-focused trip with 89% of the route on higher-speed roads. Given its manageable length and estimated fuel cost of around $15, it's ideal as a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. This route keeps you within the Midwest region, offering a consistent driving experience without significant landscape changes. Plan for a smooth transition as you head towards Independence.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.5 miles from New Franklin, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 40
84.9 mi
1h 31m
MO 5
3.6 mi
7m
South Noland Road
3 mi
5m
East Ashley Road
3 mi
5m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi
3m
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:
US 40
— 84.9 mi, about 1h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Franklin, MO and Independence, MO.
Exit 12Toward Noland RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3.0 mi·5 min·South Noland Road
10
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
466 ft·22 sec·East Walnut Street
11
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
394 ft·22 sec·South Lynn Street
12
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
145 ft·6 sec·East Kansas Avenue
13
Arrive at destination
East Kansas Avenue
Trip Plan
With a duration of just 1 hour and 55 minutes, this route offers excellent flexibility. You can depart at your leisure, perhaps after a late breakfast in New Franklin, and still arrive in Independence with plenty of daylight. The longest stretch on US 40 is quite substantial, so consider planning a brief pause around the halfway mark for a quick stretch or to refuel if your tank is getting low, even though the total fuel cost is estimated at a low $15. There are no specified stops, so you're free to make this journey as direct as possible or to incorporate personal breaks as needed.
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 49.5 miles from New Franklin, MO, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.9 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 22 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.5 miles or 59m 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 33m
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 New Franklin, MO so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from New Franklin, MO
This is one driving day of about 99.1 miles and 1h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from New Franklin, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 40 for about 84.9 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 6
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 99.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
0 mi into trip|~0m in|MO 5
Turn right onto MO 5
Navigation decision point
7
95.6 mi into trip|~1h 49m 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
4
98.9 mi into trip|~1h 55m in|East Walnut Street
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
Navigation decision point
5
99 mi into trip|~1h 55m in|South Lynn Street
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
Navigation decision point
5
99.1 mi into trip|~1h 55m in|East Kansas Avenue
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.49 one way
$30.99 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$17.01
$34.02
premium
$4.89
$19.07
$38.14
diesel
$5.61
$21.88
$43.76
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.7
0
$10.41
$4.76
Efficient EV
24.8
0
$8.67
$3.96
EV Truck/SUV
39.6
0
$13.87
$6.34
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
New Franklin, MO
Late night
in New Franklin on Sunday
Local time
12:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Independence, MO
Late night
in Independence on Sunday
Local time
12:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
18 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
1h 55m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with a significant 89% of the drive on faster roads. You'll encounter an uninterrupted stretch of 84.9 miles on US 40, indicating long periods of consistent travel. The road character is likely to be straightforward and efficient, designed for covering distance. While the specific terrain isn't detailed, the focus on highways suggests a functional drive rather than a winding, scenic exploration. This setup is built for reaching your destination with minimal detours or slow-downs.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.9 mi on US 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 40 and MO 5. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MO 5.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from New Franklin, MO to Independence, MO is easy. At 1h 55m with 89% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MO 5): Navigation decision point; at 95.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 98.9 miles (East Walnut Street): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 55m. Total distance: 99.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 84.9 miles on US 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MO 5): Navigation decision point; at 95.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 98.9 miles (East Walnut Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Independence, MO before heading back.
