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Trip from Kansas City, MO to Mount Pleasant, MO

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 8m

Distance

152.7 mi

246 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 57m ★
6 AM
3h 9m
8 AM
3h 32m
10 AM
3h 17m
12 PM
3h 14m
3 PM
3h 18m
5 PM
3h 31m
8 PM
3h 2m

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

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 Mount Pleasant, MO, MO

Mount Pleasant, MO

Theodore Nguyen

Trip Overview

This 152.7-mile drive from Kansas City, MO to Mount Pleasant, MO is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 8 minutes. With an estimated fuel cost of $24, it's an economical option for exploring more of the Midwest. The route primarily utilizes the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and US 65, offering a blend of driving experiences. You'll spend about 32% of your time on highways, making it a straightforward journey without the need for an overnight stay. This trip is perfect for a leisurely weekend excursion, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of daylight left.

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

76.4 miles from Kansas City, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 8m. Total distance: 152.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (32%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile.

Drive Character

The drive offers a mixed profile, transitioning between the faster pace of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and the more local feel of East Broadway Boulevard and US 65. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 52.5 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, providing a solid block of highway cruising. As you progress, expect the character of the road to evolve, moving from major thoroughfare to potentially more direct, regional connections. This variation ensures the journey remains engaging, avoiding the monotony of a pure interstate experience.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 52.5 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,045 ft 699 ft

Total Climb

631 ft

Total Descent

604 ft

Highest Point

1,045 ft

~130.9 mi in

Elevation Range

347 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 15 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 152.7 miles you will encounter 15 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 0.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.6 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 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
0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in

Take the ramp toward I 70 East, US 40 East

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 70 East, US 40 East
5
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway

Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
75.9 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in

Take the exit toward US 65 South: Sedalia

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 78A Toward US 65 South: Sedalia
5
119 mi into trip | ~2h 22m in | MO 5

Turn right onto MO 5

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 52.5 mi 56m
East Broadway Boulevard 24.3 mi 32m
US 65 15.9 mi 18m
MO 52 15.8 mi 21m
MO 5 14.5 mi 18m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway 8.5 mi 9m
George Brett Super Highway 6.9 mi 9m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway 5.6 mi 6m
Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 52.5 mi, about 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

476 ft · 11 sec · Charlotte Street
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East
5

Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40

6.9 mi · 9 min · George Brett Super Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Continue on I 70

2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
7

Continue on I 70

1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 70

2.6 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
9

Continue on I 70

53 mi · 56 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
10

Continue on I 70; US 40

8.5 mi · 9 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Exit 78A Toward US 65 South: Sedalia
12

Merge onto US 65

16 mi · 18 min · US 65
13

Turn slight left onto MO 765

0.1 mi · 14 sec · MO 765
Toward MO 765: Sedalia
14

Continue on MO 765

0.2 mi · 16 sec · MO 765
15

Turn straight onto North Ohio Avenue

0.9 mi · 2 min · North Ohio Avenue
16

Turn left onto East Pettis Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Pettis Street
17

Continue on West Saline Street

0.3 mi · 50 sec · West Saline Street
18

Turn right onto North Engineer Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Engineer Avenue
19

Turn left onto US 50

24 mi · 32 min · East Broadway Boulevard
20

Turn right onto MO 5

14 mi · 18 min · MO 5
Use the right lane.
21

At end of road, turn left onto MO 52

16 mi · 21 min · MO 52
22

Continue on US 54 Bus; MO 87

0.6 mi · 1 min · US 54 Bus; MO 87
23

Continue on US 54 Business

1.2 mi · 2 min · US 54 Business
24

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Toward US 54 East: Jefferson City
25

Merge onto US 54

1.0 mi · 1 min · US 54
26

Turn straight onto US 54

487 ft · 6 sec · US 54
27

Turn right onto MO FF

387 ft · 13 sec · MO FF
28

Turn right onto Doyle Road

267 ft · 11 sec · Doyle Road
29

Arrive at destination

Doyle Road

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour drive, departing Kansas City in the morning allows you to arrive in Mount Pleasant well before midday. With only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to take breaks as needed without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 52.5-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, to ensure smooth progress. Given the relatively short duration and manageable distance, you can easily complete this trip in a single day, making it ideal for a spontaneous road trip.

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 76.4 miles from Kansas City, MO, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.5 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 34 miles or 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 76.4 miles or 1h 25m 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 30m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Pleasant, 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 152.7 miles and 3h 8m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 52.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 76.4 mi from Kansas City, MO · 1h 25m into the drive

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Marshall, MO

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Oak Grove, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Marshall, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 76.4 miles from Kansas City, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Mount Pleasant, MO

The final approach into Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant, 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

$23.87 one way

$47.75 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 53 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $26.21 $52.42
premium $4.89 $29.39 $58.77
diesel $5.61 $33.71 $67.43

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 53.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 45.8 0 $16.03 $7.33
Efficient EV 38.2 0 $13.36 $6.11
EV Truck/SUV 61.1 0 $21.38 $9.77

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.

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 Saturday

Local time

1:17 AM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Mount Pleasant, MO

Late night in Mount Pleasant on Saturday

Local time

1:17 AM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

71°F

Marshall, 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

1 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

3h 8m 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 Mount Pleasant, MO covers 152.7 miles and takes about 3h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, East Broadway Boulevard, US 65. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 76.4 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 $23.87 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 152.7 miles you will encounter 15 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 0.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.6 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Kansas City, MO to Mount Pleasant, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 699 ft to 1,045 ft elevation with about 631 ft of total climbing.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Mount Pleasant, MO to Kansas City, MO

Plan the drive back the other way.

155 mi 3h 11m

Explore more options from Kansas City, MO or browse trips ending in Mount Pleasant, MO.

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