Trip from Kansas City, MO to Terre Haute, MO

Q: What are the main roads on this route?

The main roads are Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, East 310th Street, US 136. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

Q: Is this a good same-day trip?

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Q: Where should I stop halfway?

The midpoint is about 69.8 miles from Kansas City, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

Q: How much does gas cost for this trip?

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.81 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Q: What is the best time to leave?

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

Q: How many breaks should I plan?

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Q: What towns show up on signs driving from Kansas City, MO to Terre Haute, MO?

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

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

2h 56m

Distance

139.5 mi

225 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min

4 AM

2h 45m ★

6 AM

2h 56m

8 AM

3h 19m

10 AM

3h 4m

12 PM

3h 2m

3 PM

3h 5m

5 PM

3h 18m

8 PM

2h 50m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Trip Overview

The drive from Kansas City, MO to Terre Haute, MO covers 139.5 miles and takes about 2h 56m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, East 310th Street, US 136 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 72.6 miles on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.81 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

69.8 miles from Kansas City, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 139.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 56m highway drive covering 139.5 miles, with most of the trip on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and East 310th Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 72.6 miles on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway.

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

There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Chicago-Kansas City Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 72.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway and East 310th Street. You will hit about 13 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 139.5 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.4 miles (Harrison Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

4

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

Turn right onto East 12th Street

Navigation decision point

4

0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | Harrison Street

Turn left onto Harrison Street

Navigation decision point

6

0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp toward I 70 West, US 24 West, US 40 West, I 29 North, I 35 North, US 71 North

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 70 West, US 24 West, US 40 West, I 29...

9

0.8 mi into trip | ~2m in | US 71

Keep slight right at fork onto US 71 toward I 29 North, I 35 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph, Des Moines

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 2G Toward I 29 North, I 35 North, US 71 North: Sai...

7

5.5 mi into trip | ~8m in | I 35

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 toward I 35 North: Des Moines

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 35 North: Des Moines

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway	72.6 mi	1h 17m
East 310th Street	27.5 mi	40m
US 136	20.1 mi	29m
I 35	11.2 mi	12m
US 71	4.6 mi	6m
MO K	2.3 mi	5m
East 12th Street	0.4 mi	1m
George Brett Super Highway	0.2 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: Chicago-Kansas City Expressway — 72.6 mi, about 1h 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Oak Street

20 ft · 4 sec · Oak Street

2

Turn right onto East 12th Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · East 12th Street

3

Turn left onto Harrison Street

438 ft · 16 sec · Harrison Street

4

Turn left onto East 11th Street

209 ft · 5 sec · East 11th Street

5

Take the ramp

455 ft · 11 sec

Toward I 70 West, US 24 West, US 40 West, I 29 North, I 35 North, US 71 North

6

Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40; US 71

0.2 mi · 21 sec · George Brett Super Highway

7

Keep slight right at fork onto US 71

4.6 mi · 6 min · US 71

Exit 2G Toward I 29 North, I 35 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph, Des Moines Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35

11 mi · 12 min · I 35

Toward I 35 North: Des Moines Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; MO 110

73 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

11

Turn right onto US 136

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Miller Street

12

Continue on US 136

27 mi · 40 min · East 310th Street

13

Turn left onto US 136

20 mi · 29 min · US 136

14

Turn right onto MO K

2.3 mi · 5 min · MO K

15

Turn right onto MO KK

164 ft · 7 sec · MO KK

16

Arrive at destination

MO KK

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 69.8 miles from Kansas City, MO, or about 1h 18m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.6 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 31 miles or 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 69.8 miles or 1h 18m 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 16m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Terre Haute, 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 139.5 miles and 2h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 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 Chicago-Kansas City Expressway for about 72.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 69.8 mi from Kansas City, MO · 1h 18m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Gallatin, MO

70 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

New York, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Gallatin, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 69.8 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 Chicago-Kansas City Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.6 miles.

Arriving in Terre Haute, MO

The final approach into Terre Haute, 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 Terre Haute, MO.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Pokesan - Poke Bowls, Dumplings & More

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kansas City, Missouri

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18167016120

Visit website

Dott Boss

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Kansas City, Missouri

0.3 mi

Nelle Belle's Diner

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kansas City, Missouri

0.6 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Core Coffee & Eatery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kansas City, Missouri

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18162875027

Visit website

Pokesan - Poke Bowls, Dumplings & More

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18167016120

Visit website

Dott Boss

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 6:30 am–12 pm

+18162838000

Visit website

Nelle Belle's Diner

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 10

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+18162161474

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 10

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+18167922655

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.81 one way

$43.62 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 49 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$23.95	$47.89
premium	$4.89	$26.85	$53.69
diesel	$5.61	$30.80	$61.60

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 48.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	41.9	$14.65	$6.70
Efficient EV	34.9	$12.21	$5.58
EV Truck/SUV	55.8	$19.53	$8.93

Gas CO2

49 kg

EV CO2

16 kg (67% 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

Night in Kansas City on Thursday

Local time

11:17 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Terre Haute, MO

Night in Terre Haute on Thursday

Local time

11:17 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

74°F

Gallatin, MO

70 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

2h 56m 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 Terre Haute, MO covers 139.5 miles and takes about 2h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, East 310th Street, US 136. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 69.8 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 $21.81 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

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 139.5 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.4 miles (Harrison Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

More from Kansas City, MO

Kennett, MO 404.3 mi · 8h 13m East Prairie, MO 397.4 mi · 7h 29m Bernie, MO 390 mi · 7h 44m Malden, MO 388.6 mi · 7h 53m Bethany, MO 385.9 mi · 7h 52m Sikeston, MO 378.8 mi · 7h 8m

More trips to Terre Haute, MO

East Independence, MO 137.5 mi

Weekend drives from Kansas City, MO Scenic drives in MO

Explore more options from Kansas City, MO or browse trips ending in Terre Haute, MO.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.