Origin
Billings, MO
Afternoon in Billings on Sunday
Local time
2:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Billings, MO to Kansas City, MO
Drive Time
3h 38m
Distance
182.2 mi
293 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
Billings, MO
MART PRODUCTION
Kansas City, MO
Matthew Chirinos
Trip Overview
Traveling from Billings to Kansas City covers 182.2 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 38 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a relatively short trip through the Missouri Midwest, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate a mix of local streets like Northwest Jefferson Avenue and Northeast Elm Street before transitioning onto I-44 East. Budgeting approximately $27 for fuel should keep you covered for the duration of the trip. Whether you are heading north for business or a weekend getaway, this route provides a straightforward connection between these two Missouri locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
91.1 miles from Billings, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you navigate away from Billings, which makes for a more engaged experience than a standard highway cruise. While the route eventually utilizes I-44 East, the drive is defined by its local road segments rather than long, monotonous stretches of interstate. You won't find a high percentage of highway travel here, as the journey prioritizes local connectivity over high-speed transit. Because there is no single long, uninterrupted stretch, the drive requires you to stay alert and ready for frequent transitions. It is a practical, functional route that keeps you focused on the road ahead.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Kansas Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 87.3 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,366 ft
745 ft
Total Climb
637 ft
Total Descent
1,106 ft
Highest Point
1,366 ft
Elevation Range
622 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Kansas Expressway and MO 7. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MO 14 / Northwest Jefferson Avenue.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 182.2 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: near the start (MO 14 / Northwest Jefferson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 20.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
MO 14 / Northwest Jefferson Avenue
Turn right onto MO 14 / Northwest Jefferson Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
20.2 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit toward MO 13: Bolivar
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 77
Toward MO 13: Bolivar
9
20.3 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 77
Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
7
143.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m in
|
MO 7
Take the exit onto MO 7 toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kan...
7
181.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 36m in
Take the exit toward 11th Street, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 11th Street, Downtown
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Kansas Expressway | 87.3 mi | 1h 43m |
| MO 7 | 73.9 mi | 1h 24m |
| Northeast Elm Street | 8.9 mi | 13m |
| Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway | 7.2 mi | 7m |
| MO MM | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| East 11th Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| Oak Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Northwest Jefferson Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
North Kansas Expressway
— 87.3 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Billings, MO and Kansas City, MO.
1
Start on this road
140 ft
·
12 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto MO 14
199 ft
·
5 sec
·
Northwest Jefferson Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 60; MO 413
8.9 mi
·
13 min
·
Northeast Elm Street
4
Turn left onto MO MM
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
MO MM
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 44 East: Springfield
6
Merge onto I 44
7.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Congressman Mel Hancock Freeway
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 77
Toward MO 13: Bolivar
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
187 ft
·
5 sec
Exit 77
Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on MO 13
87 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
North Kansas Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Continue on MO 7
36 mi
·
39 min
·
MO 7
11
Take the exit onto MO 7
38 mi
·
45 min
·
MO 7
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
Toward 11th Street, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn straight onto East 11th Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East 11th Street
Use the left / none lanes.
14
Turn left onto Oak Street
461 ft
·
15 sec
·
Oak Street
15
Arrive at destination
Oak Street
Trip Plan
Since the trip is just under four hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. With only one recommended stop, you can easily manage the drive in a single push, though taking a break halfway will help you stay refreshed for the city traffic you will encounter upon arrival in Kansas City. Be sure to check your vehicle's fuel levels before leaving Billings, as the $27 estimate is based on typical conditions and could fluctuate. Pay close attention to signage when transitioning from local streets like Northeast Elm Street onto the interstate to avoid unnecessary detours. Embracing the shorter duration allows you to arrive in Kansas City with plenty of energy left for your plans.
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 91.1 miles from Billings, MO, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.3 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 80 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.1 miles or 1h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kansas City, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Billings, 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 Billings, MO
This is one driving day of about 182.2 miles and 3h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Billings, 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 North Kansas Expressway for about 87.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 91.1 mi from Billings, MO · 1h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
91 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 91.1 miles from Billings, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North Kansas Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.3 miles.
Arriving in Kansas City, MO
The final approach into Kansas City, MO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Kansas City, MO.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.67 one way
$55.35 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
64 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $30.51 | $61.02 |
| premium | $4.80 | $34.40 | $68.79 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $40.48 | $80.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54.7 | 0 | $19.13 | $8.75 |
| Efficient EV | 45.6 | 0 | $15.94 | $7.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 72.9 | 0 | $25.51 | $11.66 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Destination
Kansas City, MO
Afternoon in Kansas City on Sunday
Local time
2:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°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
7 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
3h 38m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Billings, MO to Kansas City, MO covers 182.2 miles and takes about 3h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Kansas Expressway, MO 7, Northeast Elm Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 91.1 miles from Billings, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.67 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 182.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MO 14 / Northwest Jefferson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 20.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Billings, MO to Kansas City, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 745 ft to 1,366 ft elevation with about 637 ft of total climbing.
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