Origin
Mount Pleasant, MO
Evening in Mount Pleasant on Wednesday
Local time
7:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mount Pleasant, MO to Kansas City, MO
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 11m
Distance
155 mi
249 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 59m
★
6 AM
3h 11m
8 AM
3h 35m
10 AM
3h 19m
12 PM
3h 17m
3 PM
3h 21m
5 PM
3h 33m
8 PM
3h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mount Pleasant, MO
Theodore Nguyen
Kansas City, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 155-mile drive from Mount Pleasant, MO to Kansas City, MO can easily be completed in about 3 hours and 11 minutes, making it a perfect one-day trip. You'll be traveling primarily on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, US 50, and US 65. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $24, which is quite reasonable for a single day's travel. This route offers a mixed driving experience, mostly within the Midwest region, so you won't encounter dramatic landscape changes. It’s a straightforward trip that allows for a relaxed pace, with only one recommended stop.
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
77.5 miles from Mount Pleasant, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 49% of it being highway travel. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 52.5 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. While much of the drive will be on well-maintained highways, you'll also encounter stretches on US 50 and US 65, which can offer a slightly different feel. This blend means you'll experience both efficient travel and more local road segments as you make your way across Missouri.
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. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near MO FF.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 155 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: at 0.1 miles (MO FF): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 54): Navigation decision point; at 154.3 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 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
MO FF
Turn left onto MO FF
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 54
Turn right onto US 54
Navigation decision point
9
154.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m 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
154.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m 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
154.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 11m in
|
Oak Street
Turn right onto Oak Street
Navigation decision point
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 |
| MO 5 | 14.5 mi | 18m |
| MO 52 | 14.1 mi | 17m |
| U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway | 8.8 mi | 9m |
| George Brett Super Highway | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 52.5 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Pleasant, MO and Kansas City, MO.
1
Start on Doyle Road
267 ft
·
17 sec
·
Doyle Road
2
Turn left onto MO FF
387 ft
·
14 sec
·
MO FF
3
Turn right onto US 54
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 54
4
Turn left onto County Road 54-66
169 ft
·
12 sec
·
County Road 54-66
5
Turn left onto US 54
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US 54
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 54 Business: Eldon
7
Turn straight onto US 54 Business
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
US 54 Business
8
Continue on US 54 Bus; MO 87
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 54 Bus; MO 87
9
Continue on US 54 Business
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
US 54 Business
10
Continue on MO 52
14 mi
·
17 min
·
MO 52
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
With a total duration of just over 3 hours, this trip is ideal for a single day. You can leave Mount Pleasant anytime, but an early departure will give you ample time to reach Kansas City and explore upon arrival. Consider making your single planned stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, especially since the longest uninterrupted stretch is over 50 miles. The fuel cost is estimated at $24, so budget accordingly. Pay attention to your navigation as you transition between the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, US 50, and US 65 to ensure a smooth 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 77.5 miles from Mount Pleasant, MO, or about 1h 44m 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 34 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.5 miles or 1h 44m 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 38m
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 Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant, MO
This is one driving day of about 155 miles and 3h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Mount Pleasant, 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 77.5 mi from Mount Pleasant, MO · 1h 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 77.5 miles from Mount Pleasant, 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
$24.23 one way
$48.46 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.61 | $53.21 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.83 | $59.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.22 | $68.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.5 | 0 | $16.28 | $7.44 |
| Efficient EV | 38.8 | 0 | $13.56 | $6.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62 | 0 | $21.70 | $9.92 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Destination
Kansas City, MO
Evening in Kansas City on Wednesday
Local time
7:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Marshall, MO
78 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
1 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
3h 11m 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 Mount Pleasant, MO to Kansas City, MO covers 155 miles and takes about 3h 11m 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 77.5 miles from Mount Pleasant, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.23 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 is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 155 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: at 0.1 miles (MO FF): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 54): Navigation decision point; at 154.3 miles (I 670; I 70 Alt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Mount Pleasant, MO to Kansas City, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Kansas City, MO
More trips to Kansas City, MO
Explore more options from Mount Pleasant, MO or browse trips ending in Kansas City, MO.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.
Explore maps for Mount Pleasant, MO or Kansas City, MO on MapSof.net.