Salem, MO to Independence, MO is 238.1 miles and takes about 4h 45m via US 63 and Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Missouri, connecting two points without significant geographical changes. The route offers a blend of highway speeds and surface road cruising, making it a straightforward drive. With just one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, it's ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing plenty of time for your destination.
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
119 miles from Salem, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 63
76.6 mi
1h 33m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
54.3 mi
58m
MO 72
23.5 mi
30m
North Bishop Avenue
12.9 mi
15m
South Noland Road
3 mi
5m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi
3m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 63
— 76.6 mi, about 1h 33m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 13 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,251 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~346 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem, MO and Independence, MO.
1
Start on East 4th Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·East 4th Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto MO J
456 ft·12 sec·North McArthur Avenue
3
Continue on MO J
1.3 mi·3 min·West Rolla Street
4
Turn right onto MO 72
24 mi·30 min·MO 72
5
Turn right onto Salem Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Salem Avenue
6
Turn right onto Holloway Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Holloway Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
At end of road, turn left onto East 18th Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·East 18th Street
8
Continue on North Walnut Street
0.1 mi·29 sec·North Walnut Street
9
Turn right onto I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63
13 mi·15 min·North Bishop Avenue
Use the right lane.
10
Continue on US 63; MO 28
48 mi·1 hr 2 min·US 63; MO 28
11
Take the exit onto US 63
0.3 mi·40 sec·US 63
Toward US 54 East, US 63 North: Fulton, Columbia
12
Merge onto US 54; US 63
1.4 mi·1 min·US 54; US 63
13
Take the exit onto US 63
28 mi·30 min·US 63
Toward US 63 North: Columbia
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·42 sec
Toward I 70, US 40, MO PP: Kansas City, Saint LouisUse the left / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 63 Conn
0.2 mi·31 sec·US 63 Conn
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas CityUse the left lane.
17
Merge onto I 70; US 40
1.3 mi·1 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
18
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
19
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
20
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi·58 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
Exit 12Toward Noland RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3.0 mi·5 min·South Noland Road
26
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
466 ft·22 sec·East Walnut Street
27
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
394 ft·22 sec·South Lynn Street
28
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
145 ft·6 sec·East Kansas Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
East Kansas Avenue
Trip Plan
This 238.1-mile drive can easily be completed in one day, so an early start from Salem, MO, around 8 AM, will have you arriving in Independence, MO, by early afternoon. The estimated fuel cost is $36, so budget accordingly. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your drive; consider a mid-morning break. Keep an eye on the road profile, as you'll switch between highway and surface roads, particularly after the 76.6-mile stretch on US 63.
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 119 miles from Salem, MO, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.6 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 52 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119 miles or 2h 33m 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 56m
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 Salem, 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 Salem, MO
This is one driving day of about 238.1 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Salem, 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 US 63 for about 76.6 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 234.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|MO J / North McArthur Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto MO J / North McArthur Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
27 mi into trip|~40m in|I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63 / North Bishop Avenue
Turn right onto I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63 / North Bishop Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
118 mi into trip|~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward I 70, US 40, MO PP: Kansas City, Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 70, US 40, MO PP: Kansas City, Saint L...
9
118.6 mi into trip|~2h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
7
234.7 mi into trip|~4h 39m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.16 one way
$70.32 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$38.82
$77.64
premium
$4.72
$44.21
$88.42
diesel
$4.80
$44.96
$89.92
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: 83.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.4
0
$25.00
$11.43
Efficient EV
59.5
0
$20.83
$9.52
EV Truck/SUV
95.2
1
$33.33
$15.24
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Salem, MO
Late night
in Salem on Sunday
Local time
1:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 9 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:57AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Independence, MO
Late night
in Independence on Sunday
Local time
1:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 to 8 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:57AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
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
2 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 45m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 43% of this 238.1-mile drive is on divided highways. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway, 76.6 miles, on US 63. The profile shifts between highway and surface roads, so expect transitions where the speed limit changes. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway section implies more consistent highway speeds before you transition to more varied road types.
43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.6 mi on US 63.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near MO J / North McArthur Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
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 238.1 miles you will encounter 16 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 0.2 miles (MO J / North McArthur Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 27 miles (I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63 / North Bishop Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 118 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,185 ft647 ft
Total Climb
757 ft
Total Descent
908 ft
Highest Point
1,185 ft
Elevation Range
538 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Salem, MO and Independence, MO, road signs point toward Columbia, Mo Pp: Kansas City and Saint Louis.
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.
Top landmarks
•Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum — presidential library and museum for U.S. President Harry S. Truman, located in I...
•Temple Lot — Geographical location important in Latter Day Saint history
•Harry S. Truman National Historic Site — national Historic Site of the United States in Missouri
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 45m. Total distance: 238.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.6 miles on US 63. 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 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 0.2 miles (MO J / North McArthur Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 27 miles (I 44 Business; US Historic 66; US 63 / North Bishop Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 118 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Independence, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
