Drive Time
2h 42m
Distance
136.6 mi
220 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
Photo: Valeria Boltneva
The drive from Kansas City, MO to Bolivar, MO covers 136.6 miles and takes about 2h 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on MO 7, MO 13, Bruce R. Watkins Drive for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 55.6 miles on MO 7. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.75 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
68.3 miles from Kansas City, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .
This is a 2h 42m highway drive covering 136.6 miles, with most of the trip on MO 7 and MO 13. The longest continuous stretch is about 55.6 miles on MO 7.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 7 and MO 13. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East 12th Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 42m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto East 12th Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto Campbell Street
Navigation decision point
Merge onto US 71 / Bruce R. Watkins Drive
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto MO 7 toward MO 7 South: Clinton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn slight left onto MO 7 toward MO 7 South: Clinton
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MO 7 | 55.6 mi | 1h 4m |
| MO 13 | 40.5 mi | 46m |
| Bruce R. Watkins Drive | 37.3 mi | 44m |
| West Broadway Street | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| Charlotte Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East 12th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East Truman Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Campbell Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City, MO and Bolivar, MO.
Start on Oak Street
Turn right onto East 12th Street
Turn right onto Charlotte Street
Turn left onto East Truman Road
Turn right onto Campbell Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 71
Take the exit onto MO 7
Turn slight left onto MO 7
Continue on MO 13
Take the exit
Turn left onto MO 32; MO 13 Business
Arrive at destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.3 miles or 1h 21m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bolivar, MO than in the middle of the route.
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 136.6 miles and 2h 42m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68.3 mi from Kansas City, MO · 1h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
68 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 68.3 miles from Kansas City, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Bolivar, 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 Bolivar, MO.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$20.75 one way
$41.50 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $22.87 | $45.74 |
| premium | $4.80 | $25.79 | $51.57 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $30.35 | $60.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41 | 0 | $14.34 | $6.56 |
| Efficient EV | 34.2 | 0 | $11.95 | $5.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.6 | 0 | $19.12 | $8.74 |
Gas CO2
48 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Kansas City on Sunday
Local time
7:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Bolivar on Sunday
Local time
7:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
49°F
Independence, MO
68 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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