Origin
Esther, MO
Morning in Esther on Saturday
Local time
6:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Esther, MO to Kansas City, MO
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 38m
Distance
299.1 mi
481 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 25m
★
6 AM
4h 39m
8 AM
5h 6m
10 AM
4h 48m
12 PM
4h 45m
3 PM
4h 50m
5 PM
5h 4m
8 PM
4h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Esther, MO
Lena Khrupina
Kansas City, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Esther, MO to Kansas City, MO covers 299.1 miles and takes about 4h 38m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Saint Joe Drive, South State Street, US 67 North for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.76 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
149.6 miles from Esther, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 38m. Total distance: 299.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 4h 38m drive with frequent turns across 299.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Saint Joe Drive is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 38m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Esther, MO to Kansas City, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Joe Drive | — | — |
| South State Street | — | — |
| US 67 North | — | — |
| I 55 North | — | — |
| Rosa Parks Highway | — | — |
| I 270 West | — | — |
| I 64 | — | — |
| I 64 West | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Saint Joe Drive
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Esther, MO and Kansas City, MO.
1
Start on Jefferson Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Jefferson Street
2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Saint Joe Drive
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Saint Joe Drive
3
Continue on South State Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South State Street
4
Turn right
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
5
Take the ramp left toward US 67 North: Saint Louis
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
US 67 North: Saint Louis
6
Merge slight left
26 mi
·
30 min
7
Keep slight right
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
8
Take the exit straight toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
I 55 North: Saint Louis
9
Merge slight left
21 mi
·
22 min
10
Continue on Rosa Parks Highway
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Rosa Parks Highway
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 270 West: Kansas City
387 ft
·
8 sec
·
I 270 West: Kansas City
13
Continue on I 270 West
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 270 West
14
Merge slight left
11 mi
·
14 min
15
Take the exit slight right toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
16
Keep slight left to continue on I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
17
Continue on I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
18
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
25 mi
·
30 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
19
Take the exit slight left toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
20
Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
81 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
21
Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
22
Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
23
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
24
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54 mi
·
58 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
25
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
52 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
26
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
27
Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
28
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
29
Continue on George Brett Super Highway
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
George Brett Super Highway
30
Keep slight left to continue on I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South: Topeka, Wichita
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South: Topeka, Wichita
31
Take the exit slight right toward 13th Street, Downtown
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
13th Street, Downtown
32
Continue on East 13th Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
East 13th Street
33
Turn right onto Oak Street
456 ft
·
13 sec
·
Oak Street
34
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 149.6 miles from Esther, MO, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
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 66 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.6 miles or 2h 19m 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 48m
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 Esther, 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 Esther, MO
This is one driving day of about 299.1 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Esther, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 149.6 mi from Esther, MO · 2h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
150 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 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 149.6 miles from Esther, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$46.76 one way
$93.52 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
105 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $51.34 | $102.68 |
| premium | $4.89 | $57.56 | $115.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $66.04 | $132.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 89.7 | 1 | $31.41 | $14.36 |
| Efficient EV | 74.8 | 0 | $26.17 | $11.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 119.6 | 1 | $41.87 | $19.14 |
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Morning in Kansas City on Saturday
Local time
6:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
8 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
4h 38m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Esther, MO to Kansas City, MO covers 299.1 miles and takes about 4h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Saint Joe Drive, South State Street, US 67 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 149.6 miles from Esther, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.76 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 38m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Esther, MO to Kansas City, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Esther, MO to Kansas City, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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