Origin
Saint Peters, MO
Late night in Saint Peters on Tuesday
Local time
5:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saint Peters, MO to 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
4h 2m
Distance
212.4 mi
342 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 50m
★
6 AM
4h 3m
8 AM
4h 29m
10 AM
4h 12m
12 PM
4h 9m
3 PM
4h 13m
5 PM
4h 27m
8 PM
3h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Peters, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Independence, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Saint Peters, MO to Independence, MO is 212.4 miles and takes about 4 hours 2 minutes via I 70, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive across Missouri, staying within the Midwest region for the entire trip. Given its highway-focused nature and manageable duration, it's a solid choice for a single-day journey. You'll primarily be on interstate, making it an efficient way to cover the distance. Consider this a practical transit rather than a winding scenic tour.
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
106.2 miles from Saint Peters, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 204.9 mi | 3h 51m |
| South Noland 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 |
| East Kansas Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 204.9 mi, about 3h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Peters, MO and Independence, MO.
1
Start on I 70
205 mi
·
3 hr 51 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
2
Continue on I 70
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
3
Continue on I 70
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 12
Toward Noland Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
South Noland Road
6
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
466 ft
·
22 sec
·
East Walnut Street
7
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
394 ft
·
22 sec
·
South Lynn Street
8
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
145 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Kansas Avenue
9
Arrive at destination
East Kansas Avenue
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over 4 hours, you have a lot of flexibility on when to depart. Leaving in the morning will get you to Independence with plenty of afternoon time. You'll only need about 1 stop for a break or to refuel, given the relatively short distance. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on I 70, where services might be spaced further apart. The $33 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting, so plan accordingly before you set out.
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 106.2 miles from Saint Peters, MO, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 204.9 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 47 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.2 miles or 1h 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 3h 16m
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 Peters, 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 Peters, MO
This is one driving day of about 212.4 miles and 4h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Saint Peters, 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 204.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
106 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 106.2 miles from Saint Peters, 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 204.9 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 55 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 212.3 — 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
|
I 70
Depart onto I 70
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
208.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 56m 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
212.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 1m in
|
East Walnut Street
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
Navigation decision point
5
212.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 2m in
|
South Lynn Street
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
Navigation decision point
5
212.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 2m in
|
East Kansas Avenue
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.21 one way
$66.41 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $36.46 | $72.92 |
| premium | $4.89 | $40.87 | $81.75 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $46.90 | $93.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.7 | 0 | $22.30 | $10.20 |
| Efficient EV | 53.1 | 0 | $18.59 | $8.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85 | 1 | $29.74 | $13.59 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Independence, MO
Late night in Independence on Tuesday
Local time
5:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Columbia, MO
106 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
6 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
4h 2m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Gateway Arch National Park
National Park
Gateway Arch National Park commemorates President Jefferson’s vision of a continental nation, the individuals and cultural groups who helped shape its history, St. Louis’ role in westward expansion, a...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
$19
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 96% of the journey on major interstates like I 70. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including an uninterrupted segment of 204.9 miles on I 70. The character of the drive remains largely consistent, emphasizing efficiency and direct travel. Expect a predictable driving experience with minimal detours off the main highway corridors. This is the kind of road where you can settle in and cover ground steadily.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
9 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 204.9 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and South Noland Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near I 70.
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 2m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (I 70): Lane positioning matters here; at 208.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 212.2 miles (East Walnut Street): Navigation decision point.
About the Cities
Arriving in Independence, MO
Full guide →Independence, known as the Queen City of the Trails, is a city in western Missouri just east of Kansas City with a population of approximately 110,000. Independence's founding predates that of Kansas City, and it was home to U.S. President Harry S. Truman and the legendary actress Ginger Rogers, as well as the starting point of three of America's great Westward Trails: the Santa Fe Trail, the California Trail, and the Oregon Trail. The city also hosts numerous historical sites related to the Community of Christ (formerly RLDS), Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormons"), American Civil War and Western history. While offering a full range of entertainment and lodging options for visitors, Independence generally tends to be more "quiet" than its larger neighbor to the west.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 2m. Total distance: 212.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 204.9 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: near the start (I 70): Lane positioning matters here; at 208.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 212.2 miles (East Walnut Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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