Origin
Lake Ozark, MO
Evening in Lake Ozark on Wednesday
Local time
7:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lake Ozark, MO to Kansas City, MO
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 20m
Distance
161.4 mi
260 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 8m
★
6 AM
3h 20m
8 AM
3h 44m
10 AM
3h 29m
12 PM
3h 26m
3 PM
3h 30m
5 PM
3h 43m
8 PM
3h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake Ozark, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Kansas City, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
For those traveling between Lake Ozark and Kansas City, this 161.4-mile journey is a straightforward trek across the Missouri Midwest. Clocking in at approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes, the trip is perfectly suited as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $25 in fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for a weekend getaway or a quick business trip. By utilizing a combination of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, US 50, and US 65, you get a solid mix of travel styles. Ultimately, this drive is about efficiency, allowing you to bridge the gap between these two Missouri hubs without unnecessary complexity.
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
80.7 miles from Lake Ozark, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience that transitions between different road types throughout your 161.4-mile trip. With a highway share of 40%, you will navigate a blend of high-speed stretches and local thoroughfares, keeping the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind. Your longest uninterrupted segment occurs on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, where you will cover 52.5 miles of consistent road. This variation in terrain requires you to stay alert as the route shifts from major highway corridors to secondary state routes. It is a practical, functional drive that rewards you with a steady pace until you reach your destination.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 31 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.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 161.4 miles you will encounter 16 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: at 1.7 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 9.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 160.7 miles (I 670; I 70 Alt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
9.3 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward US 54 Business, MO 52: Eldon, Tuscumbia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 54 Business, MO 52: Eldon, Tuscumbia
9
160.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m in
|
I 670; I 70 Alt
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670; I 70 Alt toward I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South: Topeka, Wichita
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2L
Toward I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South:...
9
160.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m in
Take the exit toward 13th Street, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2P
Toward 13th Street, Downtown
5
161.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 20m in
|
Oak Street
Turn right onto Oak Street
Navigation decision point
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 Lake Ozark, MO to Kansas City, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Tuscumbia along the way.
Tuscumbia
9.3 mi in
|
~13m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 52.5 mi | 56m |
| US 50 | 24.3 mi | 32m |
| US 65 | 16.1 mi | 18m |
| West 4th Street | 15 mi | 19m |
| MO 5 | 14.5 mi | 18m |
| U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway | 8.8 mi | 9m |
| US 54 | 7.3 mi | 7m |
| George Brett Super Highway | 6.8 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 52.5 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Ozark, MO and Kansas City, MO.
1
Start on US 54 Business
1.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Bagnell Dam Boulevard
2
Continue on Willmore Lane
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Willmore Lane
3
Enter roundabout
229 ft
·
4 sec
4
Continue
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
5
Merge onto US 54
7.3 mi
·
7 min
·
US 54
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward US 54 Business, MO 52: Eldon, Tuscumbia
7
Turn left onto US 54 Bus; MO 52
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
US 54 Bus; MO 52
8
Turn left onto West 17th Street
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
West 17th Street
9
Continue on South Grand Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Grand Avenue
10
Turn left onto MO 52
15 mi
·
19 min
·
West 4th Street
11
Continue on MO 5
14 mi
·
18 min
·
MO 5
12
Turn left onto US 50; MO 5
16 mi
·
21 min
·
US 50; MO 5
13
Continue on US 50; MO 135
8.0 mi
·
11 min
·
US 50; MO 135
14
Turn right onto South Engineer Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Engineer Avenue
15
Turn left onto West Saline Street
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
West Saline Street
16
Continue on East Pettis Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Pettis Street
17
Turn right onto MO 765
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Ohio Avenue
18
Continue on MO 765
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
MO 765
Toward US 65 North: Marshall
19
Merge onto US 65
16 mi
·
18 min
·
US 65
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 70 West: Kansas City
21
Merge onto I 70; US 40
8.8 mi
·
9 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
22
Continue on I 70; US 40
52 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
23
Continue on I 70
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
24
Continue on I 70
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 70
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
26
Continue on I 70
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
George Brett Super Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670; I 70 Alt
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
I 670; I 70 Alt
Exit 2L
Toward I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South: Topeka, Wichita
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 2P
Toward 13th Street, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
29
Continue on East 13th Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
East 13th Street
30
Turn right onto Oak Street
454 ft
·
13 sec
·
Oak Street
31
Arrive at destination
Oak Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3 hour and 20 minute transit, aim to leave during off-peak hours to ensure a smoother transition between major roads. Since the route includes one recommended stop, use that time to refuel or stretch your legs, keeping in mind the $25 estimated fuel cost for your budget. Because the trip is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time to match your personal schedule. Pay close attention to your speed as you transition between the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and US 50, as road conditions can change quickly. Planning for that single stop will keep you refreshed and ready for your arrival in Kansas City.
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 80.7 miles from Lake Ozark, MO, or about 1h 49m 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 36 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.7 miles or 1h 49m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kansas City, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lake Ozark, 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 Lake Ozark, MO
This is one driving day of about 161.4 miles and 3h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Lake Ozark, 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 80.7 mi from Lake Ozark, MO · 1h 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80.7 miles from Lake Ozark, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Kansas City, MO
The final approach into Kansas City, 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 Kansas City, 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
$25.23 one way
$50.47 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.70 | $55.41 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.06 | $62.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.64 | $71.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.4 | 0 | $16.95 | $7.75 |
| Efficient EV | 40.4 | 0 | $14.12 | $6.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.6 | 0 | $22.60 | $10.33 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Kansas City, MO
Evening in Kansas City on Wednesday
Local time
7:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
17 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 20m 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 Lake Ozark, MO to Kansas City, MO covers 161.4 miles and takes about 3h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, US 50, US 65. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 80.7 miles from Lake Ozark, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.23 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 161.4 miles you will encounter 16 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: at 1.7 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 9.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 160.7 miles (I 670; I 70 Alt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Lake Ozark, MO to Kansas City, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Tuscumbia along the way.
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