Day trip from Des Moines to Independence
Independence lies 287 km (179 mi) south of Des Moines, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there.
At 287 km (179 mi) apart, Independence is a realistic day trip from Des Moines: about 4 h 40 min each way by road.
Open Independence in Google Maps
| Des Moines | Independence | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Population | 214,133 | 117,255 |
| Elevation | 264 m (866 ft) | 319 m (1,047 ft) |
| Time now | UTC-5 (America/Chicago) | UTC-5 (America/Chicago) |
| Postal codes | 50301–50983 | 64050–64058 |
What to see in Independence
| Sight | Visitors a year | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-Continent Public Library | 3,632,170 | 2017 |
| Harry S. Truman National Historic Site | 27,670 | 2010 |
The busiest is Mid-Continent Public Library at 3,632,170 visitors in 2017. At that volume, anything with a gate is worth a timed ticket or an early start.
Where to book tours and tickets in Independence
We take no bookings for these providers and hold no reservation with them. The provider you choose handles payment, confirmation, changes and refunds. How that works.
Staying in Independence
Live rooms and prices for Independence are in the search below.
Book a hotel in Independence
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Independence from Des Moines?
287 km (179 mi) in a straight line, south of Des Moines; by road roughly 350 km (218 mi).
How long does it take to get from Des Moines to Independence by road?
About 4 h 40 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Des Moines and Independence?
No, both are on America/Chicago at the moment.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.