Origin
Mound City, MO
Evening in Mound City on Sunday
Local time
5:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mound City, MO to Kansas City, MO
Drive Time
1h 40m
Distance
88.7 mi
143 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 33m
★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 45m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 55m
8 PM
1h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mound City, MO
David Kanigan
Kansas City, MO
Matthew Chirinos
Trip Overview
Connecting Mound City to Kansas City is a straightforward 88.7-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, eliminating the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize I-29 to navigate this stretch of the Missouri Midwest, making it an efficient transit route. Budgeting approximately $13 for fuel should cover your needs for the duration of the drive. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, the route offers a reliable and direct path between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
44.4 miles from Mound City, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused experience with 98% of your time spent on major roads. The vast majority of your journey, specifically 81.4 miles, consists of a single uninterrupted stretch along I-29. This creates a consistent rhythm behind the wheel, allowing you to settle into a steady pace for nearly the entire trip. As you transition from the rural landscape toward Kansas City, the road infrastructure shifts to incorporate US-169 and West 6th Street. You will find this to be a functional, no-nonsense drive that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity over winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 29 is the longest continuous segment at about 81.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 29 and US 169. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 59 / State Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 88.7 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 (US 59 / State Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 67.9 miles (I 29; I 435; US 71): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 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
|
US 59 / State Street
Turn right onto US 59 / State Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 29 South: Saint Joseph
Navigation decision point
Toward I 29 South: Saint Joseph
5
67.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
|
I 29; I 435; US 71
Merge onto I 29; I 435; US 71
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
70.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
|
I 29; US 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71 toward I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas City
6
87.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
|
Broadway Boulevard
Keep slight left at fork onto Broadway Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 29 | 81.4 mi | 1h 28m |
| US 169 | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| West 6th Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Oak Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| MO 118 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| State Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Broadway Boulevard | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Page Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 29
— 81.4 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mound City, MO and Kansas City, MO.
1
Start on this road
97 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto US 59
0.2 mi
·
49 sec
·
State Street
3
Turn left onto MO 118
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
MO 118
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 29 South: Saint Joseph
5
Merge onto I 29
67 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
·
I 29
6
Merge onto I 29; I 435; US 71
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 29; I 435; US 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71
12 mi
·
13 min
·
I 29; US 71
Toward I 29 South, US 71 South: Kansas City
Use the slight right lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 2B
Toward US 169 South: Kansas City Downtown
9
Merge onto US 169
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
US 169
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto Broadway Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Broadway Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto West 6th Street
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
West 6th Street
Use the left lane.
12
Turn right onto Page Street
478 ft
·
21 sec
·
Page Street
13
Turn slight right onto Oak Street
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
Oak Street
14
Arrive at destination
Oak Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever best fits your schedule. With no mandatory stops required to cover the 88.7 miles, you can easily complete the drive in one go without needing a formal itinerary. Keep in mind that the heavy reliance on I-29 means your travel time could be sensitive to peak traffic hours as you approach the Kansas City metro area. Plan your departure to avoid typical morning or evening rush periods to ensure your drive remains under the 1 hour and 40 minute mark. If you prefer to stay off the interstates, be aware that you will be trading speed for a much longer transit time on local roads.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 44.4 miles from Mound City, MO, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.4 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 80 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.4 miles or 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 1h 22m
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 Mound 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 Mound City, MO
This is one driving day of about 88.7 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mound City, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 29 for about 81.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.4 mi from Mound City, MO · 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 44.4 miles from Mound City, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 29 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.4 miles.
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
$13.47 one way
$26.95 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $14.85 | $29.70 |
| premium | $4.80 | $16.74 | $33.49 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $19.71 | $39.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.6 | 0 | $9.31 | $4.26 |
| Efficient EV | 22.2 | 0 | $7.76 | $3.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.5 | 0 | $12.42 | $5.68 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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 Sunday
Local time
5:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 14 mph
14% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 12:21AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 9:46PM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Along the Route
50°F
Savannah, MO
44 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
4 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
1h 40m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Mound City, MO to Kansas City, MO covers 88.7 miles and takes about 1h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 29, US 169, West 6th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 44.4 miles from Mound City, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.47 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 88.7 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 (US 59 / State Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 67.9 miles (I 29; I 435; US 71): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Mound City, MO to Kansas City, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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