By plane
Access by air requires use of one of three airports:
Kansas City International Airport
(http://www.flykci.com/) is 40 mi 64 km away. To reach Independence from the airport take I-29 south to I-435 east, then follow I-435 east and then south along KC's east side until you cross the Missouri River; after passing the Front St. exit south of the river, you'll see the Independence exits.Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport
(http://www.flymkc.com/), located in downtown KCMO, serves private, corporate and charter aircraft. From this airport, take I-70 east.Lee's Summit Airport
(http://www.airport-data.c...), +1 816 969-1186. About 5 mi 8 km south of Independence just off I-470 at 2751 NE Douglas Rd. Serves private aircraft. From this airport, take I-470/MO 291 north until reaching I-70. Continue north on MO 291 I-470 ends here; only MO 291 continues into Independence or go west on I-70 for other Independence exits.
By train
Amtrak, +1 800-USA-RAIL. (http://www.amtrak.com/tim...) Amtrak maintains an unattended rail station at 1111 W. Pacific Ave., near the intersection with W. Lexington St. This station, locally known as the Truman Depot, is on Amtrak's KC to St. Louis route the "Missouri River Runner" (http://www.missouri-river...), and offers as of March 2010 trains twice daily in both directions. Tickets cannot be purchased or baggage checked at this station, which currently houses the Jackson Co. Genealogical Society, so it is best to call Amtrak's toll-free reservation center 800-USA-RAILor visit (http://www.amtrak.com) before departure. Tickets may also be purchased locally at Union Station, Pershing and Main, Kansas City, Missouri. A ticket is not required for boarding, though a reservation is. State and federal funding has recently been expanded and the route now boasts a 90% on time rating.
By bus
Nearest Greyhound station is in Kansas City, MO.
By car
Interstate 70 is the main east-west highway, while Interstate 435 running north-south passes just to the city's west. U.S. highways 24 and 40 and Missouri state highway 291, which becomes Interstate 470, south of I-70, also provide access to the city. I-70 offers six exits to Independence from west to east, in order: Blue Ridge Blvd., U.S. 40/Sterling Ave., Noland Rd., Lee's Summit Rd., MO-291/I-470, and Little Blue Parkway, while I-435 offers three from north to south, in order: U.S. 24/Winner Road, Truman Rd., and 23rd St.. NOTE: At each of the three I-435 exits named above, you must turn east to head into Independence! Turning west will take you into Kansas City. Also, if you are taking I-435 south on the east side of Kansas City as opposed to the west side; I-435 circles the Kansas City metropolitan area and planning to exit onto I-70 east, be aware that this exit is a left exit, and it can be very slow-moving during "rush hour" times!