Origin
Fulton, MO
Morning in Fulton on Thursday
Local time
7:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fulton, MO to Kansas City, MO
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 52m
Distance
150.6 mi
242 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 41m
★
6 AM
2h 52m
8 AM
3h 14m
10 AM
3h 0m
12 PM
2h 58m
3 PM
3h 1m
5 PM
3h 13m
8 PM
2h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fulton, MO
Yaroslav Shuraev
Kansas City, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 150.6-mile trip from Fulton, MO, to Kansas City, MO, is easily manageable as a single-day adventure, taking approximately 2 hours and 52 minutes. You'll primarily navigate the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, also known by its alternate names, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway and Martin Luther King Junior Drive. With a fuel cost estimated around $24, this drive offers a straightforward journey through the Midwest. The route is characterized by frequent turns, suggesting a more local driving experience rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. Given its manageable length, it's ideal for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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
75.3 miles from Fulton, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 52m. Total distance: 150.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 52m 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 drive with a 'turn-heavy' profile, indicating a less direct path with numerous directional changes. While the highway share is 0%, meaning you won't be on high-speed interstates, you will experience stretches like the 62.7-mile segment on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. This suggests a consistent, albeit not always high-speed, road surface for a significant portion of your journey. The character of the drive will likely shift between more open road sections and areas requiring attention to turns and local traffic patterns. It’s a route that keeps you engaged with the road and your surroundings.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 62.7 miles.
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. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West 4th Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 52m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 14.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.9 miles (I 670; I 70 Alt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West 4th Street
Turn right onto West 4th Street
Navigation decision point
6
14.9 mi into trip
|
~21m 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
9
149.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 50m in
|
I 670; I 70 Alt
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670; I 70 Alt toward I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South: Topeka, Wichita
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2L
Toward I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South:...
9
150.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 50m in
Take the exit toward 13th 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.
Exit 2P
Toward 13th Street, Downtown
5
150.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m in
|
Oak Street
Turn right onto Oak Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 62.7 mi | 1h 8m |
| U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway | 54.4 mi | 58m |
| Martin Luther King Junior Drive | 10.2 mi | 14m |
| George Brett Super Highway | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| MO J | 4.3 mi | 6m |
| Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway | 2 mi | 2m |
| Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 62.7 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fulton, MO and Kansas City, MO.
1
Start on Court Street
24 ft
·
3 sec
·
Court Street
2
Turn right onto West 4th Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West 4th Street
3
Continue on MO F
10 mi
·
14 min
·
Martin Luther King Junior Drive
4
Continue on MO J
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
MO J
5
Turn right onto MO J
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
MO J
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
7
Merge onto I 70; US 40
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
9
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
10
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi
·
58 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
52 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
13
Continue on I 70
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
14
Continue on I 70
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 70
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
16
Continue on I 70
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
George Brett Super Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670; I 70 Alt
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
I 670; I 70 Alt
Exit 2L
Toward I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South: Topeka, Wichita
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 2P
Toward 13th Street, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
19
Continue on East 13th Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
East 13th Street
20
Turn right onto Oak Street
454 ft
·
13 sec
·
Oak Street
21
Arrive at destination
Oak Street
Trip Plan
For this 150.6-mile drive, starting your journey in the morning will give you ample time to reach Kansas City and still have a full day ahead. With a duration of just under 3 hours and a fuel cost estimate of $24, planning for one stop is likely sufficient, perhaps midway through the longest stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Keep an eye out for the various road name changes, as this is a key characteristic of this route. The 'turn-heavy' nature means paying close attention to navigation, especially as you approach your destination.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 75.3 miles from Fulton, MO, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.7 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 33 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.3 miles or 1h 27m 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 19m
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 Fulton, 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 Fulton, MO
This is one driving day of about 150.6 miles and 2h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Fulton, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 62.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.3 mi from Fulton, MO · 1h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 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 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 75.3 miles from Fulton, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.7 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
$23.54 one way
$47.09 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $25.85 | $51.70 |
| premium | $4.89 | $28.98 | $57.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.25 | $66.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.2 | 0 | $15.81 | $7.23 |
| Efficient EV | 37.7 | 0 | $13.18 | $6.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.2 | 0 | $21.08 | $9.64 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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
Morning in Kansas City on Thursday
Local time
7:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Marshall, MO
75 mi in
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
2h 52m 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 Fulton, MO to Kansas City, MO covers 150.6 miles and takes about 2h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, Martin Luther King Junior Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 75.3 miles from Fulton, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.54 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 2h 52m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 14.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.9 miles (I 670; I 70 Alt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Fulton, MO to Kansas City, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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