Origin
Saint Clair, MO
Night in Saint Clair on Saturday
Local time
9:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saint Clair, MO to 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
4h 25m
Distance
222.6 mi
358 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 12m
★
6 AM
4h 25m
8 AM
4h 52m
10 AM
4h 34m
12 PM
4h 32m
3 PM
4h 36m
5 PM
4h 50m
8 PM
4h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Clair, MO
Jermaine Lewis
Independence, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 222.6-mile drive from Saint Clair, MO, to Independence, MO, is best tackled as a single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 25 minutes. With 96% of the journey on highways, it's a straightforward, efficient route through the Midwest. You can expect a fuel cost of around $35 for this trip. While the route is primarily highway-focused, it offers a direct path connecting two points within Missouri. This drive is designed for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss, making it a practical choice for a quick journey.
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
111.3 miles from Saint Clair, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 176.4 mi | 3h 14m |
| MO 47 | 36.6 mi | 54m |
| South Noland Road | 3 mi | 5m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| South Main Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| US 50 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East Walnut Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 176.4 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Clair, MO and Independence, MO.
1
Start on South Main Street
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
2
Continue on MO 47
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
MO 47
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 50; MO 47
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
US 50; MO 47
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto MO 47
31 mi
·
47 min
·
MO 47
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia, Jonesburg
6
Merge onto I 70; US 40
176 mi
·
3 hr 14 min
·
I 70; US 40
7
Continue on I 70
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
8
Continue on I 70
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 12
Toward Noland Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
South Noland Road
11
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
466 ft
·
22 sec
·
East Walnut Street
12
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
394 ft
·
22 sec
·
South Lynn Street
13
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
145 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Kansas Avenue
14
Arrive at destination
East Kansas Avenue
Trip Plan
With a total duration of 4 hours and 25 minutes, this 222.6-mile drive is easily manageable in one day. Consider an early morning departure from Saint Clair to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you approach the Kansas City metropolitan area near Independence. The longest stretch is a significant 176.4 miles on I-70, so plan for a single substantial stop around the halfway point for fuel and a break. With a fuel cost estimated at $35, it's a budget-friendly excursion. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstate stretches.
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 111.3 miles from Saint Clair, MO, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 176.4 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 49 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.3 miles or 2h 19m 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 37m
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 Saint Clair, 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 Saint Clair, MO
This is one driving day of about 222.6 miles and 4h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Saint Clair, 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 176.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
111 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 111.3 miles from Saint Clair, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 176.4 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 85 decision points cluster between mile 7 and 222.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
7 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
US 50; MO 47
At end of road, turn left onto US 50; MO 47
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
7.4 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
MO 47
Turn right onto MO 47
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
38.5 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia, Jonesburg
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia, Jonesbu...
7
219.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 18m 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
5
222.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 24m in
|
South Lynn Street
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.80 one way
$69.60 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
78 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $38.21 | $76.42 |
| premium | $4.89 | $42.84 | $85.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $49.15 | $98.29 |
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: 77.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.8 | 0 | $23.37 | $10.68 |
| Efficient EV | 55.7 | 0 | $19.48 | $8.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 89 | 1 | $31.16 | $14.25 |
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Independence, MO
Night in Independence on Saturday
Local time
9:44 PM
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
20 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
4h 25m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 222.6-mile trip, with 96% of your travel occurring on interstates and major roads. The bulk of your time will be spent on I-70, which features a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 176.4 miles. This means you'll experience long periods of consistent driving speeds. You'll transition onto MO 47 and South Noland Road towards the end, offering a slight change in scenery as you approach your destination. The overall feel is one of efficient travel across the landscape.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 176.4 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and MO 47. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 7 miles in near US 50; MO 47.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 25m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 7 miles (US 50; MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles (MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 38.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Saint Clair, MO to Independence, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Jonesburg along the way.
Jonesburg
38.5 mi in
|
~59m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 25m. Total distance: 222.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 176.4 miles on I 70. 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 7 miles (US 50; MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles (MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 38.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at 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.
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