Origin
Odessa, MO
Morning in Odessa on Sunday
Local time
11:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Odessa, MO to Kansas City, MO
Drive Time
37m
Distance
36.2 mi
58 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Photo: Matthew Chirinos
Trip Overview
Spanning just 36.2 miles, this quick jaunt from Odessa to Kansas City is a straightforward Midwestern commute that typically takes about 37 minutes to complete. Because the duration is so short, you can easily handle this as a simple day trip without needing an overnight stay or a complex itinerary. Budgeting roughly $5 for fuel should be plenty to cover the distance in a standard passenger vehicle. You will primarily navigate via South 2nd Street, U.S. 40, and I-70 West to reach your destination. It is a highly efficient route that serves as a practical connection between these two Missouri locations, making it perfect for travelers who prefer a direct, no-fuss journey.
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
18.1 miles from Odessa, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise on this 36.2-mile stretch. While you will eventually merge onto I-70 West, the route maintains a low highway share, meaning you will spend a significant portion of your time navigating local roads. You won't find long, uninterrupted highway segments here, as the longest stretch on South 2nd Street is 0 miles. The transition from the local streets of Odessa onto the main highway system creates a shifting experience behind the wheel. Prepare for frequent adjustments as you maneuver through these local roads before transitioning into the faster flow of the interstate.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South 2nd Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Odessa, MO to Kansas City, MO is easy. At 37m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Odessa, MO to Kansas City, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South 2nd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| U.S. 40 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 70 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dwight D | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Clifton J | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| George Brett Super Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 670 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
South 2nd Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Odessa, MO and Kansas City, MO.
1
Start on West Mason Street
30 ft
·
3 sec
·
West Mason Street
2
Turn right onto South 2nd Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South 2nd Street
3
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Old U.S. 40
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Old U.S. 40
4
Turn right
390 ft
·
14 sec
5
Take the ramp left toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
6
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
7
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
8
Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
9
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
10
Continue on George Brett Super Highway
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
George Brett Super Highway
11
Keep slight left to continue on I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South: Topeka, Wichita
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South: Topeka, Wichita
12
Take the exit slight right toward 13th Street, Downtown
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
13th Street, Downtown
13
Continue on East 13th Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
East 13th Street
14
Turn right onto Oak Street
456 ft
·
13 sec
·
Oak Street
15
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 37-minute drive, you have immense flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily head out whenever your schedule allows without worrying about complex refueling stops or rest breaks. Given the route's brevity, it is best to check real-time traffic conditions before you leave Odessa, especially if you are heading toward the Kansas City metro area during peak hours. Keep in mind that with zero planned stops required, you can make the trip in one efficient go. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to familiarize yourself with the transition from South 2nd Street to U.S. 40 early on, as the turn-heavy nature of the initial local roads requires your full attention.
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 18.1 miles from Odessa, MO, or about 18m into the drive.
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 36.2 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 18.1 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 31m
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 Odessa, 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 Odessa, MO
This is one driving day of about 36.2 miles and 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Odessa, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 18.1 mi from Odessa, MO · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 36.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18.1 miles from Odessa, 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
$5.50 one way
$11.00 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $6.06 | $12.12 |
| premium | $4.80 | $6.83 | $13.67 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.04 | $16.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.9 | 0 | $3.80 | $1.74 |
| Efficient EV | 9.1 | 0 | $3.17 | $1.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.5 | 0 | $5.07 | $2.32 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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
Morning in Kansas City on Sunday
Local time
11:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
77°F
Lawson, MO
18 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
2 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
37m 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 Odessa, MO to Kansas City, MO covers 36.2 miles and takes about 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South 2nd Street, U.S. 40, I 70 West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 18.1 miles from Odessa, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.50 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.
The drive from Odessa, MO to Kansas City, MO is easy. At 37m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Odessa, MO to Kansas City, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Odessa, MO to Kansas City, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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