Origin
Perryville, MO
Afternoon in Perryville on Sunday
Local time
1:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Perryville, MO to Kansas City, MO
Drive Time
6h 2m
Distance
314.3 mi
506 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
Photo: Matthew Chirinos
Trip Overview
Connecting Perryville to Kansas City, this 314.3-mile journey takes you across the heart of Missouri. Expect roughly 6 hours and 2 minutes of driving time, making it a manageable day trip if you get an early start. You will primarily navigate via the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, I-55, and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of $48, it is an affordable way to cross the state. Since the entire trip stays within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel from start to finish. Planning for one main stop along the way is a smart strategy to keep your energy levels up for the duration of the drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
157.1 miles from Perryville, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 6m into the drive .
Drive Character
Behind the wheel, you will encounter a turn-heavy local drive that demands more engagement than a standard interstate cruise. While 23% of the route consists of highway driving, the remainder shifts to local roads that require your full attention. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 80.7 miles along the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, providing a brief period of steady cruising. As you progress, the transition between these highway stretches and the more technical local sections keeps the drive feeling dynamic. Be prepared for a mix of road types that change the pace of your travel significantly throughout the six-hour journey.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 35 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 80.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 67.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 314.3 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 67.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
67.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
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 196
Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chi...
8
67.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
8
79.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
Take the exit toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
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 12
Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Lo...
9
313.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 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
313.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 1m 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
Towns Along This Route
Between Perryville, MO and Kansas City, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.
Chicago
67.3 mi in
|
~1h 17m
Saint Louis
79.9 mi in
|
~1h 33m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D Eisenhower Highway | 80.7 mi | 1h 35m |
| I 55 | 59.4 mi | 1h 4m |
| U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway | 54.4 mi | 58m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 54.3 mi | 58m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 25.4 mi | 30m |
| I 270 | 11.5 mi | 14m |
| George Brett Super Highway | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Perryville, MO and Kansas City, MO.
1
Start on South Spring Street
221 ft
·
15 sec
·
South Spring Street
2
Turn left onto East Saint Joseph Street
365 ft
·
16 sec
·
East Saint Joseph Street
3
Turn right onto MO B
349 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Main Street
4
Continue on MO B
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
5
Enter roundabout onto US 61
194 ft
·
3 sec
·
North Kingshighway Street
6
Continue on US 61
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
North Kingshighway Street
7
Continue on US 61
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
North King's Highway
8
Turn left onto MO M
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
MO M
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
10
Merge onto I 55
59 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
I 55
11
Continue on I 55
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Rosa Parks Highway
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 196
Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
388 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Use the slight left lane.
14
Continue on this road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Exit 196
Toward I 270 West
15
Merge onto I 270
11 mi
·
14 min
·
I 270
Use the none lane.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 12
Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
Use the slight left lane.
18
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
this road
Exit 12
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
19
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi
·
30 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit onto US 40
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 40
Exit 1A
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
21
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
22
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
23
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
24
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
25
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi
·
58 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
26
Continue on I 70; US 40
52 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the none lane.
27
Continue on I 70
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the none lane.
28
Continue on I 70
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on I 70
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the none lane.
30
Continue on I 70
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
George Brett Super Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
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.
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 2P
Toward 13th Street, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
33
Continue on East 13th Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
East 13th Street
34
Turn right onto Oak Street
454 ft
·
13 sec
·
Oak Street
35
Arrive at destination
Oak Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 314.3-mile trek, prioritize a departure time that helps you avoid peak traffic congestion near your destination. Since the route requires about 6 hours of time behind the wheel, aim to take your designated stop around the halfway mark to stretch your legs. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $48 budget assumes steady driving conditions, and local roads may affect your efficiency. Because this is a turn-heavy route, ensure your GPS is updated before you leave Perryville to navigate the local sections with confidence. Flexibility is your best asset here, so don't hesitate to adjust your pace if you find yourself needing extra rest during the longer stretches.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 157.1 miles from Perryville, MO, or about 3h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.7 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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157.1 miles or 3h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 58m
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 Perryville, 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 Perryville, MO
This is one driving day of about 314.3 miles and 6h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Perryville, 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 80.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 157.1 mi from Perryville, MO · 3h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
157 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 157.1 miles from Perryville, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.7 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
$47.74 one way
$95.48 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
110 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $52.63 | $105.25 |
| premium | $4.80 | $59.33 | $118.67 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $69.83 | $139.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 94.3 | 1 | $33.00 | $15.09 |
| Efficient EV | 78.6 | 0 | $27.50 | $12.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 125.7 | 1 | $44.00 | $20.12 |
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Afternoon in Kansas City on Sunday
Local time
1:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°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
30 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
6h 2m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Perryville, MO to Kansas City, MO covers 314.3 miles and takes about 6h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, I 55, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 157.1 miles from Perryville, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $47.74 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 314.3 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 67.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Perryville, MO and Kansas City, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.
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