Sullivan, MO to Independence, MO is 234.4 miles and takes about 4h 41m via US 50, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, traversing Missouri on a mix of highway and surface roads. While it's a manageable drive for a single day, consider it a practical option for getting from point A to point B without extensive planning. The route offers a straightforward passage across the state.
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
117.2 miles from Sullivan, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 50
62.4 mi
1h 12m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
54.3 mi
58m
US 63
28.1 mi
31m
MO 185
15.6 mi
23m
South Noland Road
3 mi
5m
Elmont Road
2.7 mi
4m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 50
— 62.4 mi, about 1h 12m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,281 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,776
Quietest
2 AM
~286 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.5×
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 Sullivan, MO and Independence, MO.
1
Start on this road
55 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto West Washington Street
337 ft·9 sec·West Washington Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto Hughes Ford Road
117 ft·8 sec·Hughes Ford Road
4
Turn left onto West Main Street
376 ft·12 sec·West Main Street
5
Turn right onto Elmont Road
2.7 mi·4 min·Elmont Road
6
Turn right onto MO 185
16 mi·23 min·MO 185
7
Turn left onto US 50
45 mi·50 min·US 50
8
Continue on MO U
0.3 mi·38 sec·MO U
9
Turn right onto County Route 605
1.5 mi·5 min·County Route 605
10
Turn right onto County Route 604
0.6 mi·2 min·County Route 604
11
Continue on Loose Creek Highway
1.0 mi·2 min·Loose Creek Highway
12
Turn left onto Wolf Ridge Trail
0.4 mi·1 min·Wolf Ridge Trail
13
Turn right onto US 50
18 mi·21 min·US 50
14
Take the exit onto US 63
0.3 mi·40 sec·US 63
Toward US 54 East, US 63 North: Fulton, Columbia
15
Merge onto US 54; US 63
1.4 mi·1 min·US 54; US 63
16
Take the exit onto US 63
28 mi·30 min·US 63
Toward US 63 North: Columbia
17
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.
18
Continue on US 63 Conn
0.2 mi·31 sec·US 63 Conn
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas CityUse the left lane.
20
Merge onto I 70; US 40
1.3 mi·1 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
21
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
22
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi·2 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
23
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.
28
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3.0 mi·5 min·South Noland Road
29
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
466 ft·22 sec·East Walnut Street
30
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
394 ft·22 sec·South Lynn Street
31
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
145 ft·6 sec·East Kansas Avenue
32
Arrive at destination
East Kansas Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 41m estimated drive time, leaving Sullivan, MO in the morning should get you to Independence, MO with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $37, this is an efficient trip to plan for. The longest stretch without a major break is 62.4 miles on US 50, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge before entering that segment. Since this is a single-day drive, you have the flexibility to depart when it's most convenient for you.
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 117.2 miles from Sullivan, MO, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.4 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 52 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.2 miles or 2h 31m 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 52m
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 Sullivan, 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 Sullivan, MO
This is one driving day of about 234.4 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Sullivan, 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 50 for about 62.4 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 231 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Hughes Ford Road
At end of road, turn right onto Hughes Ford Road
Navigation decision point
5
84.8 mi into trip|~1h 53m in|US 63
Take the exit onto US 63 toward US 54 East, US 63 North: Fulton, Columbia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 54 East, US 63 North: Fulton, Columbi...
7
114.3 mi into trip|~2h 26m 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
114.9 mi into trip|~2h 27m 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
231 mi into trip|~4h 34m 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
$34.62 one way
$69.23 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$38.21
$76.43
premium
$4.72
$43.52
$87.04
diesel
$4.80
$44.26
$88.52
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: 82 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.3
0
$24.61
$11.25
Efficient EV
58.6
0
$20.51
$9.38
EV Truck/SUV
93.8
1
$32.82
$15.00
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Sullivan, MO
Late night
in Sullivan on Monday
Local time
12:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 8 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:57AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Independence, MO
Late night
in Independence on Monday
Local time
12:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 8 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:57AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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 41m 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 47% of this drive is on highways, meaning you'll experience stretches of faster travel mixed with more local roads. You'll encounter your longest continuous highway segment for 62.4 miles on US 50, offering a good amount of cruising time. Expect the highway sections to eventually transition to surface roads as you get closer to your destination, requiring adjustments to your speed and awareness of more frequent intersections.
47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.4 mi on US 50.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Hughes Ford Road.
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 234.4 miles you will encounter 20 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 0.1 miles (Hughes Ford Road): Navigation decision point; at 84.8 miles (US 63): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,034 ft565 ft
Total Climb
1,157 ft
Total Descent
1,105 ft
Highest Point
1,034 ft
~234.4 mi in
Elevation Range
470 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sullivan, MO and Independence, MO, road signs point toward Columbia, Mo Pp: Kansas City and Saint Louis.
St. Louis Area is the region around St. Louis, Missouri. It borders St. Louis Metro East (Illinois) along the Mississippi River. Within Missouri, it borders Southeast Missouri, Central Missouri, and Northeast Missouri.
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 41m. Total distance: 234.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (47%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.4 miles on US 50. 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 0.1 miles (Hughes Ford Road): Navigation decision point; at 84.8 miles (US 63): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Independence, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
