Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Rich Hill, MO to East Independence, MO

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 33m

Distance

73.2 mi

118 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 27m ★
6 AM
1h 34m
8 AM
1h 48m
10 AM
1h 39m
12 PM
1h 37m
3 PM
1h 40m
5 PM
1h 47m
8 PM
1h 30m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Rich Hill, MO, MO

Rich Hill, MO

cottonbro studio

Downtown East Independence, MO, MO

East Independence, MO

Momo King

Trip Overview

This straightforward 73.2-mile drive from Rich Hill, MO, to East Independence, MO, can be completed in about 1 hour and 33 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. With 96% of the journey on highways, it's a highly efficient route focused on getting you to your destination. The estimated fuel cost is a budget-friendly $11, so you won't need to worry about breaking the bank on gas. This trip stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel throughout. It's a practical option for a quick journey between these two Missouri locations, ideal for those prioritizing speed and simplicity.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

36.6 miles from Rich Hill, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 40m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 49 39.4 mi 42m
MO 291 22.4 mi 32m
MO 58 8.5 mi 11m
East Truman Road 1.2 mi 2m
East Walnut Street 0.7 mi 1m
Main Road 0.3 mi 1m
7th Street <0.1 mi <1m
Park Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 49 — 39.4 mi, about 42m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Rich Hill, MO and East Independence, MO.

1

Start on Park Street

117 ft · 10 sec · Park Street
2

Turn left onto 7th Street

390 ft · 19 sec · 7th Street
3

Turn right onto MO A

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Walnut Street
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 10 sec
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City
5

Merge onto I 49; US 71

39 mi · 42 min · I 49; US 71
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 17 sec
Exit 160 Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
7

Keep slight right at fork

243 ft · 6 sec
Toward MO 291 North: Lee's Summit
8

Merge onto MO 291

8.3 mi · 12 min · MO 291
9

Turn slight left onto MO 58; MO 291

8.5 mi · 11 min · MO 58; MO 291
10

Take the exit onto MO 291

0.6 mi · 52 sec · MO 291
Toward US 50 East, MO 291 North: Sedalia
11

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.
12

Turn left

300 ft · 7 sec
13

Continue on MO 291

13 mi · 18 min · MO 291
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Toward East Truman Road
15

At end of road, turn left onto East Truman Road

1.2 mi · 2 min · East Truman Road
16

Turn left onto Main Road

0.3 mi · 1 min · Main Road
17

Turn right onto East 9th Street South

79 ft · 3 sec · East 9th Street South
18

Arrive at destination

East 9th Street South

Trip Plan

Given this drive is only 73.2 miles and takes just over an hour and a half, you have a lot of flexibility. You could easily start your trip in the morning and be at your destination by lunchtime. There are no designated stops, but with a drive this short, you can easily pull off if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; while the estimated cost is only $11, knowing where the last services are before the 39.4-mile stretch on I-49 could be helpful. This route is designed for efficiency, so plan for minimal delays.

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 36.6 miles from Rich Hill, MO, or about 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.4 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 16 miles or 18m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 36.6 miles or 40m 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 16m

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 Rich Hill, MO so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Rich Hill, MO

This is one driving day of about 73.2 miles and 1h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Rich Hill, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 49 for about 39.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Harrisonville, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Harrisonville, MO

37 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

Passaic, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Harrisonville, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 36.6 miles from Rich Hill, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Independence, Missouri

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 68

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18167955520

Visit website

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 68

Independence, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18167955520

Visit website

Café Verona

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 73.2

Independence, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18168330044

Visit website

Thailand Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 68

Blue Springs, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+18162293292

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 57.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.8 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City
5
40.4 mi into trip | ~44m 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
40.5 mi into trip | ~44m 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
57.4 mi into trip | ~1h 8m in | MO 291

Take the exit onto MO 291 toward US 50 East, MO 291 North: Sedalia

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 50 East, MO 291 North: Sedalia
7
57.9 mi into trip | ~1h 9m 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

$11.44 one way

$22.89 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 26 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $12.57 $25.13
premium $4.89 $14.09 $28.17
diesel $5.61 $16.16 $32.32

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$11

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$36–$61

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 25.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 22 0 $7.69 $3.51
Efficient EV 18.3 0 $6.41 $2.93
EV Truck/SUV 29.3 0 $10.25 $4.68

Gas CO2

26 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (65% 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 16, 2026

Origin

Rich Hill, MO

Late night in Rich Hill on Sunday

Local time

2:30 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

East Independence, MO

Late night in East Independence on Sunday

Local time

2:30 AM

CDT

Current temp

56°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

20 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

1h 33m 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 experience for most of this 73.2-mile trip, with 96% of the route utilizing major roads like I-49, MO-291, and MO-58. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 39.4 miles on I-49, indicating long periods of consistent speed. This profile suggests a drive characterized by efficient travel rather than winding backroads. As you progress, the character remains predominantly highway, making it a predictable and direct journey without many sudden changes in road type or speed.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 39.4 mi on I 49.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 49 and MO 291. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.

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 73.2 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 40.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,027 ft 760 ft

Total Climb

401 ft

Total Descent

369 ft

Highest Point

1,027 ft

~57.5 mi in

Elevation Range

267 ft

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 73.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 39.4 miles on I 49. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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.

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: at 0.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 40.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at East Independence, MO before heading back.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From East Independence, MO

Clarkton, MO 416.4 mi · 8h 4m Malden, MO 408.9 mi · 7h 52m New Madrid, MO 387.6 mi · 7h 21m Charleston, MO 379.2 mi · 7h 11m

More from Rich Hill, MO

Columbia, MO 179.9 mi · 3h 26m Kansas City, MO 75.8 mi · 1h 27m

More trips to East Independence, MO

Steele, MO 427.8 mi Caruthersville, MO 419.6 mi Hayti, MO 415.7 mi New Madrid, MO 387.9 mi Advance, MO 363.7 mi Desloge, MO 287.7 mi
Escape planner: Rich Hill, MO Scenic drives in MO

Explore more options from Rich Hill, MO or browse trips ending in East Independence, MO.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.