Origin
Valley Park, MO
Evening in Valley Park on Wednesday
Local time
7:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Valley Park, MO to Kansas City, MO
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 35m
Distance
237.9 mi
383 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 22m
★
6 AM
4h 36m
8 AM
5h 3m
10 AM
4h 45m
12 PM
4h 42m
3 PM
4h 46m
5 PM
5h 1m
8 PM
4h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Valley Park, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Kansas City, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Connecting Valley Park to Kansas City, this 237.9-mile journey across Missouri takes approximately 4 hours and 35 minutes of driving time. Because the trip is manageable in a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget about $36 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Midwest hubs. Utilizing a combination of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, you will stay within the state for the duration of the trip. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a straightforward path across the heart of the state.
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
119 miles from Valley Park, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mix of driving styles on this trek, as the route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a simple highway sprint. While you will utilize major thoroughfares for about three-quarters of your travel time, the road requires your full attention due to its technical nature. Your longest sustained effort will be an 80.7-mile stretch along the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which provides a brief reprieve from the more winding sections. The personality of the road shifts as you navigate through different local segments, keeping the experience engaging behind the wheel. Prepare for a dynamic environment that demands more focus than a standard, monotonous interstate cruise.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Marshall Road 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. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 35m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Valley Park, MO to Kansas City, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Marshall Road | — | — |
| I 64 West | — | — |
| Avenue of the Saints | — | — |
| I 70 West | — | — |
| Dwight D Eisenhower Highway | — | — |
| Sheriff Roger I | — | — |
| Highway Patrol Sgt | — | — |
| Dwight D | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Marshall Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Valley Park, MO and Kansas City, MO.
1
Start on the route
85 ft
·
8 sec
·
the route
2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Marshall Road
377 ft
·
11 sec
·
Marshall Road
3
Turn right
7.0 mi
·
10 min
4
Take the exit slight left toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
135 ft
·
7 sec
·
I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
5
Turn left onto I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
6
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
22 mi
·
26 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
7
Take the exit slight left toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
8
Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
81 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
9
Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
10
Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
11
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
12
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54 mi
·
58 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
13
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
52 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
14
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
15
Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
16
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
17
Continue on George Brett Super Highway
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
George Brett Super Highway
18
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
19
Take the exit slight right toward 13th Street, Downtown
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
13th Street, Downtown
20
Continue on East 13th Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
East 13th Street
21
Turn right onto Oak Street
456 ft
·
13 sec
·
Oak Street
22
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip, your primary goal is to pace yourself effectively to account for the route's turn-heavy nature. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, especially since the drive demands more concentration than a typical highway cruise. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential congestion, allowing you to reach Kansas City comfortably by the afternoon. Keep your $36 fuel budget in mind as you plan your stops, ensuring you don't run low during the more isolated stretches of the highway. Because the route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule.
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 119 miles from Valley Park, MO, or about 2h 17m 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 52 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119 miles or 2h 17m 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 46m
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 Valley Park, 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 Valley Park, MO
This is one driving day of about 237.9 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Valley Park, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 119 mi from Valley Park, MO · 2h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
119 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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 119 miles from Valley Park, 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
$37.19 one way
$74.39 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
83 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $40.84 | $81.67 |
| premium | $4.89 | $45.78 | $91.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $52.53 | $105.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.4 | 0 | $24.98 | $11.42 |
| Efficient EV | 59.5 | 0 | $20.82 | $9.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.2 | 1 | $33.31 | $15.23 |
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Destination
Kansas City, MO
Evening in Kansas City on Wednesday
Local time
7:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Mexico, MO
119 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
4h 35m 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 Valley Park, MO to Kansas City, MO covers 237.9 miles and takes about 4h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Marshall Road, I 64 West, Avenue of the Saints. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 119 miles from Valley Park, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.19 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 is a straightforward 4h 35m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Valley Park, MO to Kansas City, MO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Valley Park, MO to Kansas City, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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