Origin
Kansas City, MO
Afternoon in Kansas City on Wednesday
Local time
1:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kansas City, MO to Bethany, MO
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
7h 52m
Distance
385.9 mi
621 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$60
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 44m
★
6 AM
7h 53m
8 AM
8h 11m
10 AM
7h 59m
12 PM
7h 57m
3 PM
8h 0m
5 PM
8h 10m
8 PM
7h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kansas City, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Bethany, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 385.9-mile journey from Kansas City, MO, to Bethany, MO, is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 7 hours and 52 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing US 60 and MO 13, with a bit of MO 7, this route is largely highway-focused, with 85% of the drive on faster roads. You can expect a fuel cost of approximately $60 for this trip. With two planned stops, it's a manageable drive for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. The route keeps you within the Midwest region, offering a straightforward drive through Missouri.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
193 miles from Kansas City, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 48m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this trip, with 85% of the mileage on faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 177.3 miles, primarily on US 60. While mostly highway, this route offers a good balance, avoiding a purely monotonous interstate experience. The roads will generally feel efficient, allowing you to cover ground steadily. This profile suggests a drive where you can maintain consistent speeds for extended periods.
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 19 significant decision points across 385.9 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 19 key pointsThese 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
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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kansas City, MO and Bethany, 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 | 19.6 mi | 29m |
| Schoolcraft Freeway | 8.3 mi | 10m |
| MO J | 5.2 mi | 9m |
| 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 Bethany, 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
8.3 mi
·
10 min
·
Schoolcraft Freeway
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
52 sec
Toward US 60 East: Cabool
16
Merge onto US 60
82 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
US 60
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60
90 mi
·
1 hr 46 min
·
US 60
Toward US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
US 60
19
Turn straight onto US 60 Business; US 67 Business
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Westwood Boulevard
20
Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
State Street
21
Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North Westwood Boulevard
22
Turn slight left
133 ft
·
7 sec
23
Turn slight left onto MO 53
20 mi
·
29 min
·
MO 53
24
Turn left onto MO J
5.2 mi
·
9 min
·
MO J
25
Turn left onto MO H
3.5 mi
·
8 min
·
MO H
26
Turn right onto County Road 102
0.8 mi
·
3 min
·
County Road 102
27
Arrive at destination
County Road 102
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour, 52-minute drive time, an early morning start from Kansas City is recommended to make the most of your day. You'll have two opportunities to stop along the way, which is a good pace for a drive of this length. Keep an eye on your fuel as the longest stretch is 177.3 miles on US 60, so plan your refueling stops accordingly. The estimated fuel cost is $60, so budget for that. This trip is well-suited for a single-day adventure, so you have flexibility in your departure time and how long you choose to linger at your stops.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 193 miles from Kansas City, MO, or about 3h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 177.3 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 85 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 193 miles or 3h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bethany, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Kansas City, MO
This is one driving day of about 385.9 miles and 7h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Kansas City, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 193 mi from Kansas City, MO · 3h 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
193 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 85 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 193 miles from Kansas City, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 60 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 177.3 miles.
Arriving in Bethany, MO
The final approach into Bethany, 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 Bethany, MO.
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
$60.33 one way
$120.66 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
135 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $66.24 | $132.48 |
| premium | $4.89 | $74.26 | $148.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $85.20 | $170.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 135 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 115.8 | 1 | $40.52 | $18.52 |
| Efficient EV | 96.5 | 1 | $33.77 | $15.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 154.4 | 1 | $54.03 | $24.70 |
Gas CO2
135 kg
EV CO2
45 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.
Destination
Bethany, MO
Afternoon in Bethany on Wednesday
Local time
1:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Bono, AR
193 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
18 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 52m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 Bethany, MO covers 385.9 miles and takes about 7h 52m 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.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 193 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 $60.33 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 385.9 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.
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.
Between Kansas City, MO and Bethany, MO, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Poplar Bluff.
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