Winfield, MO to Independence, MO is 217.6 miles and takes about 4h 15m via I 70 and MO 47, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you across the Midwest, staying within Missouri for its entirety. With 90% of the trip on highways, expect a relatively straightforward journey focused on covering ground efficiently. It's a solid choice for a single-day trip if you're looking to get from point A to point B without too many detours.
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
108.8 miles from Winfield, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
181.9 mi
3h 21m
MO 47
13 mi
18m
Veterans Highway
11 mi
15m
South Noland Road
3 mi
5m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi
3m
East Cherry Street
1.5 mi
2m
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.4 mi
1m
West North Service Road
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 181.9 mi, about 3h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winfield, MO and Independence, MO.
Exit 12Toward Noland RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto South Noland Road
3.0 mi·5 min·South Noland Road
21
Turn left onto East Walnut Street
466 ft·22 sec·East Walnut Street
22
Turn right onto South Lynn Street
394 ft·22 sec·South Lynn Street
23
Turn left onto East Kansas Avenue
145 ft·6 sec·East Kansas Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
East Kansas Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 15m estimated drive time and 217.6 miles, this is a very manageable one-day trip. You can comfortably start your drive anytime in the morning and arrive at your destination with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a high highway share, planning for fuel stops is straightforward; keep an eye on your gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 181.9 miles. The estimated fuel cost is around $34, so budget accordingly.
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 108.8 miles from Winfield, MO, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.9 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 48 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.8 miles or 2h 11m 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 Winfield, 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 Winfield, MO
This is one driving day of about 217.6 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Winfield, 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 181.9 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 13.4 and 214.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
13.4 mi into trip|~19m in|East Cherry Street
Turn left onto East Cherry Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
14.8 mi into trip|~22m in|Main Street
Turn left onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
26.9 mi into trip|~39m in|MO J / Elm Street
At end of road, turn left onto MO J / Elm Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
28 mi into trip|~41m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
7
214.2 mi into trip|~4h 8m 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
$34.02 one way
$68.04 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$37.35
$74.70
premium
$4.89
$41.88
$83.75
diesel
$5.61
$48.04
$96.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.3
0
$22.85
$10.44
Efficient EV
54.4
0
$19.04
$8.70
EV Truck/SUV
87
1
$30.46
$13.93
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Winfield, MO
Late night
in Winfield on Sunday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Independence, MO
Late night
in Independence on Sunday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
19 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 15m 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?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 90% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including an uninterrupted segment of 181.9 miles primarily on I 70. While Veterans Highway and MO 47 offer some variation, the overall character is one of efficient travel. Expect to spend most of your time on well-maintained highways, making for a predictable driving experience.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 181.9 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and MO 47. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 13.4 miles in near East Cherry Street.
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 15m drive. You will face about 16 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 13.4 miles (East Cherry Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 26.9 miles (MO J / Elm Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 15m. Total distance: 217.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 181.9 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: at 13.4 miles (East Cherry Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 26.9 miles (MO J / Elm Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 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.
