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Trip from Kansas City, MO to Forsyth, MO

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

4h 13m

Distance

212.2 mi

341 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 0m ★
6 AM
4h 14m
8 AM
4h 40m
10 AM
4h 23m
12 PM
4h 20m
3 PM
4h 24m
5 PM
4h 39m
8 PM
4h 6m

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 Forsyth, MO, MO

Forsyth, MO

Lena Khrupina

Trip Overview

This 212.2-mile drive from Kansas City, MO, to Forsyth, MO, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 13 minutes. You'll navigate primarily via MO 13 and MO 7, with a portion on Bruce R. Watkins Drive. With a highway share of 74%, this is a highway-focused trip, making it efficient for getting from point A to point B. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $33, and it's a straightforward drive through the Midwest. This route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.

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

106.1 miles from Kansas City, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 13m. Total distance: 212.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this journey, with 74% of the route utilizing higher-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 68 miles on MO 13, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. While predominantly highway, the route incorporates segments of MO 7 and Bruce R. Watkins Drive, which may offer a slightly different driving feel. This drive should feel largely direct and efficient, allowing you to cover significant ground with relative ease.

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 MO 7. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East 12th Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 212.2 miles you will encounter 14 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 14 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

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Kansas City, MO to Forsyth, 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
MO 7 55.6 mi 1h 4m
Bruce R. Watkins Drive 37.3 mi 44m
American Legion Memorial Highway 12.1 mi 13m
US Highway 65 12 mi 13m
Schoolcraft Freeway 10.7 mi 13m
US 160 10.3 mi 15m
Payne Stewart Highway 4.3 mi 5m
Longest stretch: MO 13 — 68 mi, about 1h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City, MO and Forsyth, 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

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

11 mi · 13 min · Schoolcraft Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on US 65

11 mi · 12 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
16

Continue on US 65

12 mi · 13 min · US Highway 65
17

Continue on US 65

1.2 mi · 1 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Toward US 160: Reed Springs Junction, Forsyth
19

Turn left onto US 160

4.3 mi · 6 min · US 160
20

Turn slight left onto US 160; MO 176

6.0 mi · 9 min · US 160; MO 176
21

Turn slight right onto Rockhill Drive

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Rockhill Drive
22

Arrive at destination

Rockhill Drive

Trip Plan

Given the manageable 4-hour, 13-minute duration, this route is ideal for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. You can easily complete this drive without needing to split it. The longest stretch without a major road change is 68 miles on MO 13, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid rush hour traffic leaving Kansas City and arrive in Forsyth with ample daylight. With a total of 212.2 miles, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is always a good idea, especially on the longer highway sections.

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 106.1 miles from Kansas City, MO, or about 2h 5m 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 47 miles or 56m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 106.1 miles or 2h 5m 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 25m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Forsyth, 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 212.2 miles and 4h 13m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 106.1 mi from Kansas City, MO · 2h 5m into the drive

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Warsaw, MO

106 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Warsaw, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 106.1 miles from Kansas City, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before MO 13 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68 miles.

Arriving in Forsyth, MO

The final approach into Forsyth, 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 Forsyth, MO.

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

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...

10 mi from route ~24 min detour Free near mile 175.6
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

$33.18 one way

$66.35 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 74 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $36.42 $72.85
premium $4.89 $40.84 $81.67
diesel $5.61 $46.85 $93.70

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 74.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 63.7 0 $22.28 $10.19
Efficient EV 53.1 0 $18.57 $8.49
EV Truck/SUV 84.9 1 $29.71 $13.58

Gas CO2

74 kg

EV CO2

25 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Kansas City, MO

Evening in Kansas City on Thursday

Local time

5:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Forsyth, MO

Evening in Forsyth on Thursday

Local time

5:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

73°F

Warsaw, MO

106 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

2 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

4h 13m 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 Forsyth, MO covers 212.2 miles and takes about 4h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MO 13, MO 7, Bruce R. Watkins Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 106.1 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 $33.18 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 212.2 miles you will encounter 14 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 Forsyth, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Louis along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Wilson's Creek National Battlefield.

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