Trip from Riverside, MO to Kansas City, MO

Drive Time

5h 7m

Distance

264.2 mi

425 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Kansas City, MO

Matthew Chirinos

Trip Overview

Spanning 264.2 miles across the heart of the Midwest, this route takes you from Riverside to Kansas City in approximately 5 hours and 7 minutes. While the distance is manageable within a single day, the turn-heavy nature of the drive makes it feel more substantial than a simple point-to-point transit. You should budget roughly $40 for fuel to cover the journey comfortably. Since the trip remains entirely within Missouri, you will experience consistent regional landscapes throughout the drive. This itinerary is best suited for a one-day excursion, offering enough flexibility to arrive at your destination without needing an overnight stop.

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

132.1 miles from Riverside, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mix of driving conditions as you navigate through various segments, including the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. With only 10% of the route consisting of highway travel, the experience leans heavily toward local, turn-intensive roads. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 80.7 miles, which provides a brief reprieve from the more technical sections of the drive. The road’s personality is defined by these frequent shifts, requiring you to stay alert behind the wheel rather than settling into a monotonous interstate grind.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

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 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 17.3 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 264.2 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 17.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 29.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

17.3 mi into trip | ~22m 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...

17.5 mi into trip | ~22m 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

29.8 mi into trip | ~38m 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...

263.5 mi into trip | ~5h 5m 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:...

263.7 mi into trip | ~5h 6m 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 Riverside, MO and Kansas City, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.

Chicago

17.3 mi in | ~22m

Saint Louis

29.8 mi in | ~38m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway	80.7 mi	1h 35m
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 55	13.9 mi	15m
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 Riverside, MO and Kansas City, MO.

Start on River

0.1 mi · 33 sec · River

Turn left onto Dow Industrial Drive

0.6 mi · 2 min · Dow Industrial Drive

Turn right onto US 61; US 67

0.6 mi · 1 min · Commercial Boulevard

Turn left onto MO Z

0.4 mi · 44 sec · MO Z

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Toward I 55 North: Saint Louis

Merge onto I 55

14 mi · 15 min · I 55

Continue on I 55

1.3 mi · 1 min · Rosa Parks Highway

Use the none lane.

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.

Keep slight left at fork

388 ft · 8 sec

Toward I 270 West: Kansas City Use the slight left lane.

Continue on this road

0.7 mi · 1 min · this road

Exit 196 Toward I 270 West

Merge onto I 270

11 mi · 14 min · I 270

Use the none lane.

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.

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.

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 9 sec · this road

Exit 12 Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville

Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61

25 mi · 30 min · Avenue of the Saints

Use the straight lane.

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.

Merge onto I 70; US 40

81 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

2.0 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.6 mi · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

54 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

52 mi · 56 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 70

2.7 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 70

1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 70

2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 70

6.8 mi · 9 min · George Brett Super Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Exit 2P Toward 13th Street, Downtown Use the slight right lane.

Continue on East 13th Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · East 13th Street

Turn right onto Oak Street

454 ft · 13 sec · Oak Street

Arrive at destination

Oak Street

Trip Plan

Planning your departure for early in the day is wise, as the turn-heavy profile of this route can be more demanding than standard highway driving. Since you only need to account for one stop, try to time your break to coincide with the conclusion of the 80.7-mile stretch to maximize your momentum. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the day, as local roads can lead to varying consumption levels compared to steady interstate travel. Because the total duration is just over 5 hours, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on traffic conditions or personal preference without feeling rushed to reach your final destination.

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 132.1 miles from Riverside, MO, or about 2h 40m 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 39m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 132.1 miles or 2h 40m 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 13m

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 Riverside, 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 Riverside, MO

This is one driving day of about 264.2 miles and 5h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Riverside, 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 132.1 mi from Riverside, MO · 2h 40m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Alton, IL

132 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

Alton, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Quincy, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 132.1 miles from Riverside, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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

$40.13 one way

$80.26 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 92 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$44.24	$88.48
premium	$4.80	$49.88	$99.75
diesel	$5.64	$58.70	$117.39

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 92.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	79.3	0	$27.74	$12.68
Efficient EV	66.1	0	$23.12	$10.57
EV Truck/SUV	105.7	1	$36.99	$16.91

Gas CO2

92 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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.

Forecast data refreshed 4 hours ago

Origin

Riverside, MO

Afternoon in Riverside on Sunday

Local time

2:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kansas City, MO

Afternoon in Kansas City on Sunday

Local time

2:42 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

5 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

5h 7m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Riverside, MO to Kansas City, MO covers 264.2 miles and takes about 5h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 132.1 miles from Riverside, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.13 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Riverside, MO and Kansas City, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.

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