Connecting Union to Independence, this 215-mile trek across Missouri is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 13 minutes. Because the route is highly efficient, it serves perfectly as a one-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize I-70, MO-47, and South Noland Road to navigate between these two Midwest locations. With an estimated fuel cost of $33, the drive is quite budget-friendly for a solo traveler or a small group. Whether you are heading west for business or a change of scenery, this highway-focused transit is designed for reliability rather than leisurely detours. It is an ideal option if you value a direct path 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
107.5 miles from Union, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
176.4 mi
3h 14m
MO 47
29.9 mi
45m
South Noland Road
3 mi
5m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi
3m
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.4 mi
1m
North Church Street
0.7 mi
1m
East Park Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
East Walnut Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 176.4 mi, about 3h 14m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,343 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,885
Quietest
2 AM
~293 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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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 Union, MO and Independence, MO.
Exit 12Toward Noland RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3.0 mi·5 min·South Noland Road
12
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
466 ft·22 sec·East Walnut Street
13
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
394 ft·22 sec·South Lynn Street
14
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
145 ft·6 sec·East Kansas Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
East Kansas Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable four-hour trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though leaving early helps avoid potential congestion on the interstate. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs, as the long, 176.4-mile stretch on I-70 can become monotonous if you do not break it up. Keep your estimated $33 fuel budget in mind, and consider fueling up before hitting the main highway sections to ensure you have consistent momentum. Given the highway-heavy nature of the route, stay alert during the transition from the secondary roads of Union onto the busy I-70 corridor. Taking a short break midway will keep your focus sharp for the final approach into Independence.
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 107.5 miles from Union, MO, or about 2h 12m 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 47 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.5 miles or 2h 12m 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 28m
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 Union, 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 Union, MO
This is one driving day of about 215 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Union, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 214.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|East Park Avenue
Turn right onto East Park Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in|MO 47
Turn left onto MO 47
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
30.9 mi into trip|~48m 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
211.6 mi into trip|~4h 7m 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
214.9 mi into trip|~4h 13m in|South Lynn Street
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.75 one way
$63.50 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$35.05
$70.10
premium
$4.72
$39.92
$79.84
diesel
$4.80
$40.60
$81.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.5
0
$22.58
$10.32
Efficient EV
53.8
0
$18.81
$8.60
EV Truck/SUV
86
1
$30.10
$13.76
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Union, MO
Morning
in Union on Monday
Local time
6:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:26PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Independence, MO
Morning
in Independence on Monday
Local time
6:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 6 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:26PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
87°F
Centralia, MO
108 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
1 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 13m 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?
Expect a highly efficient transit, as 96% of this trip consists of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-70, which accounts for a significant 176.4-mile uninterrupted stretch of the journey. The experience is defined by a consistent pace, moving from the regional roads of Union onto the major interstate artery. While the shift from MO-47 to the interstate changes the road’s personality, the focus remains squarely on sustained speed and highway travel. By the time you navigate toward South Noland Road at the end of your trip, you will have covered the vast majority of the distance on high-speed, multi-lane pavement.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 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 early in the drive near East Park Avenue.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 13m drive. You will face about 10 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 (East Park Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,034 ft506 ft
Total Climb
859 ft
Total Descent
355 ft
Highest Point
1,034 ft
~215 mi in
Elevation Range
529 ft
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 Union, MO to Independence, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Jonesburg along the way.
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
The longest stretch is about 176.4 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 (East Park Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Independence, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
