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Trip from Kansas City, MO to Ash Grove, MO

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

3h 26m

Distance

158 mi

254 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Fair

2 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 14m ★
6 AM
3h 26m
8 AM
3h 51m
10 AM
3h 35m
12 PM
3h 33m
3 PM
3h 36m
5 PM
3h 50m
8 PM
3h 19m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Missouri, United States, that is one of two county seats of Jackson County and the largest city in Missouri

Kansas City, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Ash Grove, MO, MO

Ash Grove, MO

life vibes

Trip Overview

The drive from Kansas City, MO to Ash Grove, MO covers 158 miles and takes about 3h 26m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on MO 7, Bruce R. Watkins Drive, MO 13 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 55.6 miles on MO 7. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.70 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

79 miles from Kansas City, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 26m. Total distance: 158 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 26m highway drive covering 158 miles, with most of the trip on MO 7 and Bruce R. Watkins Drive. The longest continuous stretch is about 55.6 miles on MO 7.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
MO 7 is the longest continuous segment at about 55.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 7 and Bruce R. Watkins Drive. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East 12th Street.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 158 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (East 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (Campbell Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (US 71 / Bruce R. Watkins Drive): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | East 12th Street

Turn right onto East 12th Street

Navigation decision point

5
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | Campbell Street

Turn right onto Campbell Street

Navigation decision point

5
0.8 mi into trip | ~2m in | US 71 / Bruce R. Watkins Drive

Merge onto US 71 / Bruce R. Watkins Drive

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
38.1 mi into trip | ~46m in | MO 7

Take the exit onto MO 7 toward MO 7 South: Clinton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 157 Toward MO 7 South: Clinton
5
38.3 mi into trip | ~46m in | MO 7

Turn slight left onto MO 7 toward MO 7 South: Clinton

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Exit 157 Toward MO 7 South: Clinton

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
MO 7 55.6 mi 1h 4m
Bruce R. Watkins Drive 37.3 mi 44m
MO 13 28.6 mi 32m
MO 123 26.9 mi 47m
MO V 6.8 mi 12m
West Main Street 1.4 mi 2m
Front Street 0.4 mi <1m
Charlotte Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: MO 7 — 55.6 mi, about 1h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City, MO and Ash Grove, MO.

1

Start on Oak Street

20 ft · 4 sec · Oak Street
2

Turn right onto East 12th Street

0.2 mi · 42 sec · East 12th Street
3

Turn right onto Charlotte Street

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Charlotte Street
4

Turn left onto East Truman Road

395 ft · 11 sec · East Truman Road
5

Turn right onto Campbell Street

68 ft · 1 sec · Campbell Street
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward US 71 South: Joplin
7

Merge onto US 71

37 mi · 44 min · Bruce R. Watkins Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit onto MO 7

0.2 mi · 19 sec · MO 7
Exit 157 Toward MO 7 South: Clinton
9

Turn slight left onto MO 7

55 mi · 1 hr 3 min · MO 7
Exit 157 Toward MO 7 South: Clinton Use the left lane.
10

Continue on MO 13

29 mi · 32 min · MO 13
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Turn right onto MO 123

9.8 mi · 17 min · MO 123
12

Turn slight left onto MO 123

0.4 mi · 43 sec · Front Street
13

Turn right onto MO 123

10 mi · 17 min · MO 123
14

Keep slight left at fork onto MO 123; MO 215

1.0 mi · 1 min · MO 123; MO 215
15

Keep slight right at fork onto MO 123; MO 215

6.1 mi · 10 min · MO 123; MO 215
16

Turn right onto MO V

1.4 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
17

Keep slight left at fork onto MO V

1.5 mi · 2 min · MO V
18

Keep slight right at fork onto MO V

5.3 mi · 9 min · MO V
19

Turn right onto West Main Street

100 ft · 4 sec · West Main Street
20

Arrive at destination

West Main Street

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 79 miles from Kansas City, MO, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.6 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 35 miles or 42m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 79 miles or 1h 33m 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 36m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ash Grove, MO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Kansas City, 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 Kansas City, MO

This is one driving day of about 158 miles and 3h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Kansas City, 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 MO 7 for about 55.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 79 mi from Kansas City, MO · 1h 33m into the drive

city in and county seat of Benton County, Missouri, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Warsaw, MO

79 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

Garden City, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Holden, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 79 miles from Kansas City, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Ash Grove, MO

The final approach into Ash Grove, 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 Ash Grove, MO.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Pokesan - Poke Bowls, Dumplings & More

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kansas City, Missouri

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18167016120

Visit website

Dott Boss

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Kansas City, Missouri

0.3 mi

Black Garlic Restaurant & Rum Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kansas City, Missouri

2.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Core Coffee & Eatery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kansas City, Missouri

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18162875027

Visit website

Pokesan - Poke Bowls, Dumplings & More

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18167016120

Visit website

Dott Boss

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 6:30 am–12 pm

+18162838000

Visit website

Black Garlic Restaurant & Rum Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 5–9 pm

+18162146939

Visit website

Chef Tito´s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

North Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 4–9 pm

+18168414700

Visit website

TAILLEUR RESTAURANT

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $50 to $10

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 5–9 pm

+18164427042

Visit website

Chappell's Restaurant & Sports Museum

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18164210002

Visit website

Wolcano Teppanyaki

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

North Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18168281200

Visit website

Tao Tao Chinese Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Kansas

Hours: 11:45 am–8 pm

+19133421331

Visit website

Core Coffee & Eatery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18162875027

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 101.5

Osceola, Missouri

+18888074522

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 146.7

Walnut Grove, Missouri

+14177882263

Visit website

Money Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 9:30 am–4 pm

+18168812683

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

National Battlefield

Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...

18 mi from route ~44 min detour Free near mile 158
Caution: BE AWARE OF HIGH-WATER DANGER
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.70 one way

$49.40 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 55 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $27.12 $54.24
premium $4.89 $30.41 $60.81
diesel $5.61 $34.88 $69.77

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 55.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

2 DC fast chargers · Coverage: fair

EV Connect Charging Station

Osceola, Missouri

EV Connect

1 DCFC

Tesla Destination Charger

Walnut Grove, Missouri

Tesla Destination

1 DCFC

EV Connect: 1 Tesla Destination: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 47.4 0 $16.59 $7.58
Efficient EV 39.5 0 $13.83 $6.32
EV Truck/SUV 63.2 0 $22.12 $10.11

Gas CO2

55 kg

EV CO2

18 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Kansas City, MO

Late night in Kansas City on Friday

Local time

12:02 AM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ash Grove, MO

Late night in Ash Grove on Friday

Local time

12:02 AM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

73°F

Warsaw, MO

79 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

20 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 26m 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 Kansas City, MO to Ash Grove, MO covers 158 miles and takes about 3h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MO 7, Bruce R. Watkins Drive, MO 13. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 79 miles from Kansas City, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.70 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 is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 158 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (Campbell Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (US 71 / Bruce R. Watkins Drive): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Kansas City, MO to Ash Grove, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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