Trip from Kansas City, MO to Kennett, MO

Drive Time

8h 13m

Distance

404.3 mi

651 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$61

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Trip Overview

Traveling from Kansas City to Kennett spans 404.3 miles across the heart of Missouri. You should plan for approximately 8 hours and 13 minutes of driving time, making this a journey best suited for a two-day itinerary rather than a single grueling day behind the wheel. With a fuel budget of roughly $61, it is a straightforward trek that keeps you within the Midwest region throughout the entire trip. Relying on a mix of MO 13, MO 7, and US 60, this highway-focused route offers a practical way to traverse the state. Breaking the trip into two days will help you manage the distance comfortably while ensuring you stay alert on the road.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

202.1 miles from Kansas City, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 58m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is defined by its highway-focused nature, with 88% of the journey spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a variety of road types, transitioning between different state and federal routes as you move south. A significant portion of your stamina will be tested during the longest uninterrupted stretch, which covers 177.3 miles specifically on US 60. Expect a steady, consistent pace as you transition away from the Kansas City metro area. The character of the drive remains functional and direct, providing a reliable path that prioritizes efficiency over technical, winding backroads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 60 is the longest continuous segment at about 177.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 60 and MO 13. 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.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 404.3 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 18 key points

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

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

Turn right onto East 12th Street

Navigation decision point

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

Turn right onto Campbell Street

Navigation decision point

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.

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

257.4 mi into trip | ~5h 3m in | US 60

Keep slight left at fork onto US 60 toward US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff

Towns Along This Route

Between Kansas City, MO and Kennett, MO, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Poplar Bluff.

Saint Louis

161.8 mi in | ~3h 9m

Poplar Bluff

257.4 mi in | ~5h 3m | via US 60

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 60	177.3 mi	3h 28m
MO 13	68 mi	1h 19m
MO 7	55.6 mi	1h 4m
Bruce R. Watkins Drive	37.3 mi	44m
MO 53	34.6 mi	51m
MO 25	11.6 mi	17m
Schoolcraft Freeway	8.3 mi	10m
Payne Stewart Highway	4.3 mi	5m

Longest stretch: US 60 — 177.3 mi, about 3h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Oak Street

20 ft · 4 sec · Oak Street

Turn right onto East 12th Street

0.2 mi · 42 sec · East 12th Street

Turn right onto Charlotte Street

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Charlotte Street

Turn left onto East Truman Road

395 ft · 11 sec · East Truman Road

Turn right onto Campbell Street

68 ft · 1 sec · Campbell Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Toward US 71 South: Joplin

Merge onto US 71

37 mi · 44 min · Bruce R. Watkins Drive

Use the none lane.

Take the exit onto MO 7

0.2 mi · 19 sec · MO 7

Exit 157 Toward MO 7 South: Clinton

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.

Continue on MO 13

68 mi · 1 hr 19 min · MO 13

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis

Merge onto I 44

4.3 mi · 5 min · Payne Stewart Highway

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec

Exit 82A Toward US 65 South: Branson

Merge onto US 65

8.3 mi · 10 min · Schoolcraft Freeway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 52 sec

Toward US 60 East: Cabool

Merge onto US 60

82 mi · 1 hr 35 min · US 60

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 60

90 mi · 1 hr 46 min · US 60

Toward US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff

Keep slight right at fork onto US 60

4.8 mi · 6 min · US 60

Turn straight onto US 60 Business; US 67 Business

1.6 mi · 2 min · North Westwood Boulevard

Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business

0.3 mi · 25 sec · State Street

Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business

2.3 mi · 3 min · North Westwood Boulevard

Turn slight left

133 ft · 7 sec

Turn slight left onto MO 53

35 mi · 51 min · MO 53

At end of road, turn right onto MO 25

12 mi · 17 min · MO 25

Turn right onto US 412; MO 84

1.3 mi · 2 min · 1st Street

Turn left onto Kennett Street

134 ft · 3 sec · Kennett Street

Arrive at destination

Kennett Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 404.3-mile journey, aim to pace yourself with at least two planned stops to break up the drive. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue, especially given the lengthy 8-hour and 13-minute duration. Since you are spending nearly $61 on fuel, keep an eye on your gauge during that 177.3-mile stretch on US 60 where services might be more spread out. Because this route is highway-heavy, consider splitting your drive at a midway point to keep the experience manageable. Prioritizing these breaks will ensure you arrive in Kennett feeling refreshed rather than exhausted.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 202.1 miles from Kansas City, MO, or about 3h 58m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 177.3 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 89 miles or 1h 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 202.1 miles or 3h 58m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 202.1 miles or 3h 58m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 45m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kennett, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Kansas City, MO

Aim for roughly 202 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Kennett, MO

Aim for roughly 202 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Kansas City, MO.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on US 60 for about 177.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 202.1 mi from Kansas City, MO · 3h 58m into the drive

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Bono, AR

202 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Bono, AR

Overnight Options

Night 1

Bono, AR

202 mi · about 4.1h in

A practical overnight split lands near Bono, AR after about 202 miles or 4.1 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Independence, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 89 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ash Flat, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 202.1 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 US 60 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 177.3 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 202 miles or 4.1 hours on the road.

Arriving in Kennett, MO

The final approach into Kennett, 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 Kennett, MO.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Kennett, MO with some flexibility left in the schedule.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$61.41 one way

$122.82 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 142 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$67.70	$135.39
premium	$4.80	$76.32	$152.65
diesel	$5.64	$89.82	$179.64

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$61

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$191–$301

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 141.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	121.3	1	$42.45	$19.41
Efficient EV	101.1	1	$35.38	$16.17
EV Truck/SUV	161.7	2	$56.60	$25.88

Gas CO2

141 kg

EV CO2

47 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Kansas City, MO

Afternoon in Kansas City on Sunday

Local time

1:37 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kennett, MO

Afternoon in Kennett on Sunday

Local time

1:37 PM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

81°F

Bono, AR

202 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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

15 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

8h 13m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

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 Kennett, MO covers 404.3 miles and takes about 8h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 60, MO 13, MO 7. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 202 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 202.1 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 $61.41 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Kansas City, MO and Kennett, MO, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Poplar Bluff.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Kennett, MO to Kansas City, MO

Plan the drive back the other way.

403.8 mi 8h 13m

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