Origin
Weldon Spring, MO
Late night in Weldon Spring on Sunday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Weldon Spring, 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 2m
Distance
211.8 mi
341 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 49m
★
6 AM
4h 2m
8 AM
4h 28m
10 AM
4h 11m
12 PM
4h 9m
3 PM
4h 13m
5 PM
4h 27m
8 PM
3h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Weldon Spring, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Independence, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 211.8-mile journey from Weldon Spring, MO, to Independence, MO, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take around 4 hours and 2 minutes of driving time. You'll primarily navigate on roads like the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. With a fuel cost estimated at $33, this drive through the Midwest region of Missouri is best characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, suggesting frequent navigation changes rather than a straight, monotonous interstate cruise. It's a straightforward trip that doesn't require an overnight stay, allowing for a flexible schedule.
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
105.9 miles from Weldon Spring, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D Eisenhower Highway | 80.7 mi | 1h 35m |
| U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway | 54.4 mi | 58m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 54.3 mi | 58m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 9.9 mi | 11m |
| South Noland Road | 3 mi | 5m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway | 2 mi | 2m |
| Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Weldon Spring, MO and Independence, MO.
1
Start on Old 94 South
149 ft
·
8 sec
·
Old 94 South
2
Turn right onto Weldon Spring Road
263 ft
·
6 sec
·
Weldon Spring Road
3
Merge onto MO 94
393 ft
·
8 sec
·
MO 94
4
Keep slight right at fork onto North Outer Road
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
·
North Outer Road
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North
6
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
9.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto US 40
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 40
Exit 1A
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
9
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
10
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi
·
58 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
52 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
14
Continue on I 70
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
15
Continue on I 70
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 12
Toward Noland Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
South Noland Road
18
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
466 ft
·
22 sec
·
East Walnut Street
19
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
394 ft
·
22 sec
·
South Lynn Street
20
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
145 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Kansas Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
East Kansas Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, this trip is easily completed in a single day. Consider an early morning departure from Weldon Spring to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential local traffic congestion. While there's only one recommended stop noted, the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you'll likely find numerous opportunities for quick breaks and fuel along the way. Keep an eye on your navigation, especially through the more localized sections, as frequent turns will be a key feature of this route. The estimated fuel cost of $33 should be a good baseline for budgeting.
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 105.9 miles from Weldon Spring, MO, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.7 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 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.9 miles or 2h 5m 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 17m
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 Weldon Spring, 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 Weldon Spring, MO
This is one driving day of about 211.8 miles and 4h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Weldon Spring, 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 Dwight D Eisenhower Highway for about 80.7 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 105.9 miles from Weldon Spring, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.7 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 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 208.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Outer Road
Keep slight right at fork onto North Outer Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the exit toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
10.8 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
US 40
Take the exit onto US 40 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 straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
7
208.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 55m 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
$33.11 one way
$66.23 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $36.36 | $72.71 |
| premium | $4.89 | $40.76 | $81.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $46.76 | $93.53 |
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: 74.1 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 | 63.5 | 0 | $22.24 | $10.17 |
| Efficient EV | 53 | 0 | $18.53 | $8.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84.7 | 1 | $29.65 | $13.56 |
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 Sunday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°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
16 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 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive that isn't dominated by high-speed interstate travel, as this route has a 0% highway share. The profile is described as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' so be prepared for numerous directional changes. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 80.7 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. This suggests a route that weaves through local areas, offering a more varied driving experience than a typical highway journey. The road character will likely shift as you transition between different local thoroughfares.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.7 mi on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near North Outer Road.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 211.8 miles you will encounter 11 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 (North Outer Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 0.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.9 miles (I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 2m. Total distance: 211.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.7 miles on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. 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 (North Outer Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 0.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.9 miles (I 64; US 40; US 61 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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