Traveling from Nixa to Independence covers approximately 181.6 miles, making for a manageable three-hour journey across the Missouri Midwest. Because this route relies on local roads like East Mount Vernon Street, North Massey Boulevard, and US 60 West, it is best suited for a single-day trip. Budgeting roughly $28 for fuel should keep you covered for the entire distance. Since the drive is relatively short, you can comfortably complete it in one go without the need for an overnight stay. It serves as a practical, direct connection between these two Missouri locations, offering a straightforward travel experience for those who prefer local roads over major interstates.
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 miles from Nixa, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Kansas Expressway
87.3 mi
1h 43m
MO 7
39.2 mi
43m
South Noland Road
8.9 mi
15m
MO 58
8.5 mi
11m
MO 291
8.3 mi
12m
MO 13
7.8 mi
14m
North Massey Boulevard
6.5 mi
9m
US 50
2.7 mi
3m
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 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 160Toward 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
Continue on Southwest Jefferson Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·Southwest Jefferson Street
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward US 50 West: Kansas City
16
Merge onto US 50
2.7 mi·3 min·US 50
17
Continue on MO 350
2.5 mi·3 min·Blue Parkway
18
Turn right onto MO V
5.9 mi·9 min·South Noland Road
19
Continue on South Noland Road
3.1 mi·5 min·South Noland Road
20
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
466 ft·22 sec·East Walnut Street
21
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
394 ft·22 sec·South Lynn Street
22
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
145 ft·6 sec·East Kansas Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
East Kansas Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of your three-hour journey, plan to depart during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on local roads. With only one scheduled stop recommended, take advantage of the flexibility this short distance provides to stretch your legs whenever you feel necessary. Keep your fuel gauge in mind and plan to refuel early, as the $28 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency on local roads. Since you are navigating through various local streets rather than a single major thoroughfare, keep a close eye on your GPS to stay on track through turn-heavy segments. Being prepared for frequent turns will ensure a much smoother arrival in 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 87 miles from Nixa, MO, or about 1h 51m 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 38 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87 miles or 1h 51m 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 54m
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 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 174 miles and 3h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.9 and 159.6 — 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
5
159.6 mi into trip|~3h 18m in
Take the exit toward US 50 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 50 West: Kansas City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.20 one way
$54.41 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$29.87
$59.74
premium
$4.89
$33.48
$66.97
diesel
$5.61
$38.42
$76.83
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: 60.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.2
0
$18.27
$8.35
Efficient EV
43.5
0
$15.23
$6.96
EV Truck/SUV
69.6
0
$24.36
$11.14
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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 15, 2026
Origin
Nixa, MO
Late night
in Nixa on Sunday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Independence, MO
Late night
in Independence on Sunday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Holden, MO
87 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
1 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 41m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy, local-focused drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. With a 0% highway share, you will navigate surface streets and regional connectors rather than monotonous interstate stretches. The route demands your full attention as you transition between East Mount Vernon Street, North Massey Boulevard, and US 60 West. Because this is not a high-speed highway trek, the pace remains steady and consistent throughout the 181.6-mile duration. This path is ideal if you prefer a more technical driving experience compared to the standard, repetitive nature of typical long-distance highway travel.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 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?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Kansas Expressway and MO 7. You will hit about 13 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 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 174 miles you will encounter 13 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 41m. Total distance: 174 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). 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.
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: 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.
Yes — Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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 Independence, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
