Origin
St. Louis, MO
Afternoon in St. Louis on Sunday
Local time
1:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from St. Louis, MO to Kansas City, MO
Drive Time
4h 46m
Distance
248.1 mi
399 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
Photo: Matthew Chirinos
Trip Overview
Connecting St. Louis to Kansas City, this 248.1-mile journey across Missouri is a straightforward trek that typically takes about 4 hours and 46 minutes behind the wheel. Given the manageable duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $38 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for a cross-state excursion. Throughout the drive, you will remain within the Midwest, traversing the heart of Missouri. Whether you are heading west for business or a change of scenery, this path provides a reliable link between the state’s two major urban hubs.
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
124 miles from St. Louis, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mix of driving conditions on this route, which is officially classified as a turn-heavy local drive. While the path utilizes the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, the nature of the roads requires your full attention. You will spend a significant portion of the trip on highways, which account for three segments of your travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is an 80.7-mile segment along the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Be prepared for the road’s personality to shift as you navigate these transitions, moving from wider highway stretches into more technical local sections.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 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. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near I 64; US 40 / Jack Buck Memorial Highway.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 248.1 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles (I 64; US 40 / Jack Buck Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.7 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 247.3 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 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 64; US 40 / Jack Buck Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 64; US 40 / Jack Buck Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
39.7 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
US 40
Take the exit onto US 40 toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
9
247.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 45m 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
247.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 45m 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
248 mi into trip
|
~4h 46m in
|
Oak Street
Turn right onto Oak Street
Navigation decision point
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 | 27.8 mi | 33m |
| George Brett Super Highway | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| Daniel Boone Expressway | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| Jack Buck Memorial Highway | 4.3 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between St. Louis, MO and Kansas City, MO.
1
Start on Market Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Market Street
Use the none lane.
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West: Wentzville
3
Merge onto I 64; US 40
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Jack Buck Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
4
Continue on I 64; US 40
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Daniel Boone Expressway
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on I 64; US 40; US 61
28 mi
·
33 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
6
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.
7
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
8
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
9
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
10
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi
·
58 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
52 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the none lane.
13
Continue on I 70
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the none lane.
14
Continue on I 70
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 70
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the none lane.
16
Continue on I 70
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
George Brett Super Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 2P
Toward 13th Street, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
19
Continue on East 13th Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
East 13th Street
20
Turn right onto Oak Street
454 ft
·
13 sec
·
Oak Street
21
Arrive at destination
Oak Street
Trip Plan
Planning for this trip is simple since it only requires a single stop to maintain a comfortable pace. If you want to avoid peak traffic, consider timing your departure to steer clear of typical rush hours in either St. Louis or Kansas City. Because the drive is under five hours, you have the flexibility to make your stop whenever you need to stretch your legs or refuel. Keep in mind that the $38 fuel estimate can vary based on your vehicle's efficiency, so it’s wise to keep an eye on your gauge during the longer 80.7-mile highway stretches. Use that one scheduled stop to your advantage to refresh before tackling the more turn-heavy sections of the road.
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 124 miles from St. Louis, MO, or about 2h 30m 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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124 miles or 2h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 55m
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 St. Louis, 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 St. Louis, MO
This is one driving day of about 248.1 miles and 4h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from St. Louis, 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 124 mi from St. Louis, MO · 2h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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 124 miles from St. Louis, 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
$37.68 one way
$75.37 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $41.54 | $83.08 |
| premium | $4.80 | $46.84 | $93.67 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $55.12 | $110.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.4 | 0 | $26.05 | $11.91 |
| Efficient EV | 62 | 0 | $21.71 | $9.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.2 | 1 | $34.73 | $15.88 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Kansas City, MO
Afternoon in Kansas City on Sunday
Local time
1:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
55°F
Quincy, IL
124 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
10 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
4h 46m 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 St. Louis, MO to Kansas City, MO covers 248.1 miles and takes about 4h 46m 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 124 miles from St. Louis, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.68 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 248.1 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles (I 64; US 40 / Jack Buck Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.7 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 247.3 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 St. Louis, MO to Kansas City, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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