Origin
Kansas City, MO
Afternoon in Kansas City on Sunday
Local time
2:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
3h 16m
Distance
152.1 mi
245 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
Kansas City, MO
Matthew Chirinos
Camdenton, MO
Change C.C
If you are planning a quick getaway from Kansas City to Camdenton, expect a manageable 152.1-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 16 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight split. Budget approximately $23 for fuel to complete the drive through the heart of Missouri. You will transition from the urban atmosphere of Kansas City into the more relaxed pace of the Midwest landscape. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your leisure while still having plenty of time to explore Camdenton upon arrival.
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
76 miles from Kansas City, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Expect a mixed driving experience that balances efficiency with local road travel. You will spend about 56% of your time on highways, utilizing routes like Bruce R. Watkins Drive and East Division Road to navigate away from the city. The most significant portion of your journey involves a 77-mile stretch on MO 7, which serves as the backbone of this route. As you progress, the road environment shifts from high-traffic corridors to the more steady, predictable pace of state highways. Staying alert is key, as the transition between these different road types defines the overall flow of your time behind the wheel.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East 12th Street.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Kansas City, MO to Camdenton, MO is easy. At 3h 16m with 56% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto East 12th Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto Campbell Street
Navigation decision point
Merge onto US 71 / Bruce R. Watkins Drive
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto MO 7 toward MO 7 South: Clinton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
At end of road, turn right onto US 54
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MO 7 | 77 mi | 1h 39m |
| Bruce R. Watkins Drive | 37.3 mi | 44m |
| East Division Road | 27.6 mi | 37m |
| MO 5 | 7.5 mi | 9m |
| East Ohio Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| US 54 | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Charlotte Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East 12th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City, MO and Camdenton, MO.
Start on Oak Street
Turn right onto East 12th Street
Turn right onto Charlotte Street
Turn left onto East Truman Road
Turn right onto Campbell Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 71
Take the exit onto MO 7
Turn slight left onto MO 7
Turn left onto MO 7
Continue on MO 7
Take the ramp onto MO 7
Turn left onto MO 7
At end of road, turn right onto MO 5; MO 7
Take the exit
Turn slight right onto US 54
Turn left onto Court Circle SE
Continue on Court Circle SE
Continue on Court Circle SW
At end of road, turn right onto US 54
Arrive at destination
For the smoothest experience, plan for at least one dedicated stop during your 152.1-mile drive to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route is straightforward, you can easily depart in the morning to maximize your time in Camdenton. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge when traveling the 77-mile stretch on MO 7, as service options may be more limited compared to the area surrounding Kansas City. Because the total duration is just over three hours, you have the advantage of a flexible schedule that accommodates minor delays without ruining your plans. Using the recommended path ensures you stay on the most direct roads while managing your transit time effectively.
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.
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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76 miles or 1h 29m 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 Camdenton, MO than in the middle of the route.
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 152.1 miles and 3h 16m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76 mi from Kansas City, MO · 1h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 76 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 7 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77 miles.
The final approach into Camdenton, 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 Camdenton, MO.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$23.10 one way
$46.20 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $25.47 | $50.94 |
| premium | $4.80 | $28.71 | $57.43 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $33.79 | $67.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.6 | 0 | $15.97 | $7.30 |
| Efficient EV | 38 | 0 | $13.31 | $6.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.8 | 0 | $21.29 | $9.73 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Kansas City on Sunday
Local time
2:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Camdenton on Sunday
Local time
2:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
56°F
Billings, MO
76 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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