Origin
Kansas City, MO
Afternoon in Kansas City on Sunday
Local time
2:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kansas City, MO to Cabool, MO
Drive Time
4h 47m
Distance
243 mi
391 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
Kansas City, MO
Matthew Chirinos
Cabool, MO
Collab Media
Trip Overview
Spanning 243 miles across the heart of Missouri, this drive from Kansas City to Cabool takes approximately 4 hours and 47 minutes. Because of the manageable duration, it is perfectly suited as a one-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend about $37 on fuel for the journey, making it a relatively affordable excursion within the Midwest. The route relies primarily on a combination of MO 13, US 60, and MO 7 to navigate between these two points. By prioritizing highway travel, this itinerary offers a straightforward path through the state, providing a reliable travel experience for those looking to reach Cabool efficiently.
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
121.5 miles from Kansas City, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 82% of this trip is spent on major thoroughfares. You will face a longest uninterrupted stretch of 68 miles on MO 13, which provides a steady rhythm for your drive. The road’s personality shifts as you transition between these state routes, blending fast-paced highway segments with the changing landscape of Missouri. Maintaining focus is important during the longer highway stretches, as the road character remains consistent for significant portions of the trip. Overall, the drive offers a practical balance for those who prefer time-efficient roads over slower, secondary passages.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
MO 13 is the longest continuous segment at about 68 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 13 and US 60. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East 12th Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 243 miles you will encounter 18 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 (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 18 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
|
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 none lane.
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
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Kansas City, MO to Cabool, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Louis along the way.
Saint Louis
161.8 mi in
|
~3h 9m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MO 13 | 68 mi | 1h 19m |
| US 60 | 66.8 mi | 1h 18m |
| MO 7 | 55.6 mi | 1h 4m |
| Bruce R. Watkins Drive | 37.3 mi | 44m |
| Schoolcraft Freeway | 8.3 mi | 10m |
| Payne Stewart Highway | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Peabody Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Charlotte Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
MO 13
— 68 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City, MO and Cabool, 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 none lane.
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
68 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
MO 13
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis
12
Merge onto I 44
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Payne Stewart Highway
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 82A
Toward US 65 South: Branson
14
Merge onto US 65
8.3 mi
·
10 min
·
Schoolcraft Freeway
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
52 sec
Toward US 60 East: Cabool
16
Merge onto US 60
67 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
US 60
Use the none lane.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward MO 181: Cabool
18
Turn left onto MO 181
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Peabody Avenue
19
Continue on MO 181
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
South Elm Street
20
Turn right onto US 60 Business
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Ozark Street
21
Turn left
120 ft
·
8 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 47-minute drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid midday congestion. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs, as this will help break up the monotony of the longer highway segments. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the 68-mile stretch on MO 13, ensuring you have enough to cover the distance comfortably before reaching your next service area. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on traffic conditions. By keeping your fuel budget around $37 in mind, you can plan your stops strategically to ensure a smooth arrival in Cabool.
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 121.5 miles from Kansas City, MO, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.5 miles or 2h 22m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cabool, 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 243 miles and 4h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 13 for about 68 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 121.5 mi from Kansas City, MO · 2h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
122 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 121.5 miles from Kansas City, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before MO 13 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68 miles.
Arriving in Cabool, MO
The final approach into Cabool, 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 Cabool, 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
$36.91 one way
$73.82 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
85 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $40.69 | $81.38 |
| premium | $4.80 | $45.87 | $91.75 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $53.99 | $107.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.9 | 0 | $25.51 | $11.66 |
| Efficient EV | 60.8 | 0 | $21.26 | $9.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97.2 | 1 | $34.02 | $15.55 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Cabool, MO
Afternoon in Cabool on Sunday
Local time
2:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
56°F
Billings, MO
122 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
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
4h 47m 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 Kansas City, MO to Cabool, MO covers 243 miles and takes about 4h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MO 13, US 60, MO 7. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 121.5 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 $36.91 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 243 miles you will encounter 18 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 (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.
On the drive from Kansas City, MO to Cabool, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Louis along the way.
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