Origin
Nixa, MO
Late night in Nixa on Tuesday
Local time
5:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Nixa, MO to East Independence, MO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 43m
Distance
175.3 mi
282 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 31m
★
6 AM
3h 43m
8 AM
4h 9m
10 AM
3h 52m
12 PM
3h 50m
3 PM
3h 53m
5 PM
4h 7m
8 PM
3h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Nixa, MO
Valeria Boltneva
East Independence, MO
Momo King
Trip Overview
This 175.3-mile journey from Nixa, MO, to East Independence, MO, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 43 minutes. The route predominantly utilizes highways, with 95% of the drive on major roads, making it a focused drive through the Midwest. Budget around $27 for fuel for this trip. Given its relatively short duration, this drive is perfect for a single-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your departure time and pace. You'll be traveling entirely within Missouri, moving from one part of the state to another.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
87.6 miles from Nixa, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Kansas Expressway | 87.3 mi | 1h 43m |
| MO 7 | 39.2 mi | 43m |
| MO 291 | 22.4 mi | 32m |
| MO 58 | 8.5 mi | 11m |
| MO 13 | 7.8 mi | 14m |
| North Massey Boulevard | 6.5 mi | 9m |
| East Truman Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| James River Freeway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
North Kansas Expressway
— 87.3 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nixa, MO and East Independence, MO.
1
Start on this road
59 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto MO 14
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Mount Vernon Street
3
Turn right onto US 160; MO 13
6.5 mi
·
9 min
·
North Massey Boulevard
4
Turn left onto US 160; MO 13
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
US 160; MO 13
Toward US 60 West, US 160 West, MO 13 North: Republic
5
Merge onto US 60; US 160; MO 13
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
James River Freeway
6
Take the exit onto MO 13
7.8 mi
·
14 min
·
MO 13
Toward MO 13 North
7
Continue on MO 13
87 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
North Kansas Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Continue on MO 7
36 mi
·
39 min
·
MO 7
9
Take the exit onto MO 7
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
MO 7
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 160
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
11
Keep slight right at fork
243 ft
·
6 sec
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
12
Merge onto MO 291
8.3 mi
·
12 min
·
MO 291
13
Turn slight left onto MO 58; MO 291
8.5 mi
·
11 min
·
MO 58; MO 291
14
Take the exit onto MO 291
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
MO 291
Toward US 50 East, MO 291 North: Sedalia
15
Take the exit onto MO 291
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
MO 291
Toward MO 291 North: Independence, Hamblen Road
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn left
300 ft
·
7 sec
17
Continue on MO 291
13 mi
·
18 min
·
MO 291
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward East Truman Road
19
At end of road, turn left onto East Truman Road
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Truman Road
20
Turn left onto Main Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Road
21
Turn right onto East 9th Street South
79 ft
·
3 sec
·
East 9th Street South
22
Arrive at destination
East 9th Street South
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 43-minute drive, consider departing in the morning to maximize your daylight and minimize potential traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to break up the 175.3 miles as needed, perhaps after the longest stretch of 87.3 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you approach the final leg on MO 291, and plan your fuel stops accordingly within your estimated $27 budget. A helpful tip is to check local traffic conditions before you leave Nixa, as highway congestion can impact your arrival time in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
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 87.6 miles from Nixa, MO, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.3 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 39 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.6 miles or 1h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 55m
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 Nixa, 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 Nixa, MO
This is one driving day of about 175.3 miles and 3h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Nixa, 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 North Kansas Expressway for about 87.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 87.6 miles from Nixa, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North Kansas Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 6.9 and 160 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
6.9 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
US 160; MO 13
Turn left onto US 160; MO 13 toward US 60 West, US 160 West, MO 13 North: Republic
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 60 West, US 160 West, MO 13 North: Re...
5
139.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m in
|
MO 7
Take the exit onto MO 7 toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kan...
5
142.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 160
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
6
142.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
7
160 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m in
|
MO 291
Take the exit onto MO 291 toward MO 291 North: Independence, Hamblen Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward MO 291 North: Independence, Hamblen Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.41 one way
$54.81 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.09 | $60.18 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.73 | $67.47 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.70 | $77.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.6 | 0 | $18.41 | $8.41 |
| Efficient EV | 43.8 | 0 | $15.34 | $7.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.1 | 0 | $24.54 | $11.22 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Destination
East Independence, MO
Late night in East Independence on Tuesday
Local time
5:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Warsaw, MO
88 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
8 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
3h 43m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the vast majority of this 175.3-mile route, with 95% of your travel on major roads like North Kansas Expressway and MO 291. This means you'll experience a consistent pace for most of the journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 87.3 miles on North Kansas Expressway. While primarily a highway experience, the transition to MO 7 and then MO 291 will gradually bring you closer to your destination, offering a sense of progression as you approach East Independence.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.3 mi on North Kansas Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Kansas Expressway and MO 7. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.9 miles in near US 160; MO 13.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 175.3 miles you will encounter 15 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 6.9 miles (US 160; MO 13): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.1 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 43m. Total distance: 175.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 43m 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 87.3 miles on North Kansas Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 East 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.9 miles (US 160; MO 13): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.1 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at East Independence, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From East Independence, MO
More from Nixa, MO
More trips to East Independence, MO
Explore more options from Nixa, MO or browse trips ending in East Independence, MO.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.