This 173.4-mile journey from Kansas City, MO, to Battlefield, MO, is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can comfortably be completed in about 3 hours and 27 minutes. With 75% of the route on highways, it's an efficient trip, making it an ideal one-day excursion. You'll be traveling within the Midwest region for the entire duration. Budget around $27 for fuel, and plan for one stop along the way to break up the drive. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 67.9 miles, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs.
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
86.7 miles from Kansas City, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 27m. Total distance: 173.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 75% of your travel occurring on main roads like MO 13 and MO 7. The drive features a significant 67.9-mile stretch on MO 13, offering a consistent pace. While the profile is highway-centric, the inclusion of Bruce R. Watkins Drive suggests some urban or suburban access roads at the beginning. This isn't a winding, scenic byway, but rather a practical and efficient path designed for steady progress.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 67.9 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 12 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 Effort5/10
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 173.4 miles you will encounter 12 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 12 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
6
163.7 mi into trip|~3h 11m in
Take the exit toward US 160: West Bypass, Willard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 75
Toward US 160: West Bypass, Willard
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 Battlefield, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Willard along the way.
Willard
163.7 mi in|~3h 11m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MO 13
67.9 mi
1h 18m
MO 7
55.6 mi
1h 4m
Bruce R. Watkins Drive
37.3 mi
44m
US 160
6.9 mi
11m
MO FF
2.5 mi
3m
Payne Stewart Highway
1.8 mi
2m
Charlotte Street
0.3 mi
<1m
East 12th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
MO 13
— 67.9 mi, about 1h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City, MO and Battlefield, 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 157Toward MO 7 South: Clinton
9
Turn slight left onto MO 7
55 mi·1 hr 3 min·MO 7
Exit 157Toward MO 7 South: ClintonUse the left lane.
10
Continue on MO 13
68 mi·1 hr 18 min·MO 13
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 44 West: Joplin
12
Merge onto I 44
1.8 mi·2 min·Payne Stewart Highway
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 75Toward US 160: West Bypass, Willard
14
Turn left onto US 160
6.9 mi·11 min·US 160
15
Continue on MO FF
2.5 mi·3 min·MO FF
16
Turn left onto 182
68 ft·1 sec·West 3rd Street
17
Arrive at destination
182
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour, 27-minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip from Kansas City to Battlefield. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive by early afternoon. With a fuel cost estimated at $27 and only one recommended stop, flexibility is key. Consider leaving early to maximize your time at your destination. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest 67.9-mile stretch on MO 13, to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted journey.
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 86.7 miles from Kansas City, MO, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.9 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 38 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.7 miles or 1h 42m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Battlefield, 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 173.4 miles and 3h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 67.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86.7 mi from Kansas City, MO
· 1h 42m into the drive
The midpoint is around 86.7 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 67.9 miles.
Arriving in Battlefield, MO
The final approach into Battlefield, 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 Battlefield, 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
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 173.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.11 one way
$54.22 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$29.76
$59.53
premium
$4.89
$33.37
$66.74
diesel
$5.61
$38.28
$76.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52
0
$18.21
$8.32
Efficient EV
43.4
0
$15.17
$6.94
EV Truck/SUV
69.4
0
$24.28
$11.10
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Afternoon
in Kansas City on Friday
Local time
1:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Battlefield, MO
Afternoon
in Battlefield on Friday
Local time
1:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 27m 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 Battlefield, MO covers 173.4 miles and takes about 3h 27m 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 86.7 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 $27.11 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 173.4 miles you will encounter 12 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 Battlefield, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Willard along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Wilson's Creek National Battlefield.
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
