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Trip from Weldon Spring, MO to Kansas City, MO

Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026

Drive Time

4h 9m

Distance

219.1 mi

353 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 57m ★
6 AM
4h 10m
8 AM
4h 36m
10 AM
4h 19m
12 PM
4h 16m
3 PM
4h 20m
5 PM
4h 35m
8 PM
4h 2m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in St. Charles County, Missouri, United States

Weldon Spring, MO

Wikimedia Commons

city in Missouri, United States, that is one of two county seats of Jackson County and the largest city in Missouri

Kansas City, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 219-mile journey from Weldon Spring, MO, to Kansas City, MO, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 9 minutes to complete. You'll primarily be on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. With a projected fuel cost of around $34 and just one recommended stop, this drive offers a straightforward passage through the Midwest. The route is characterized by frequent turns, suggesting a more local driving experience rather than a continuous interstate cruise. Consider this a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B within Missouri.

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

109.6 miles from Weldon Spring, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' experience for this 219-mile route, with a 0% highway share. While the primary roads are designated highways, the profile indicates a more intricate navigation system. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 80.7 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. This suggests a drive that may involve more frequent changes in speed and direction, characteristic of navigating through various towns and junctions rather than a pure, high-speed interstate experience. Prepare for a dynamic driving feel.

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.
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 0.2 miles in near North Outer Road.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 219.1 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 0.2 miles (North Outer Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 0.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.8 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Outer Road

Keep slight right at fork onto North Outer Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
0.7 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the exit toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North
8
10.8 mi into trip | ~13m 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
218.4 mi into trip | ~4h 8m 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
218.6 mi into trip | ~4h 8m 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

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 9.9 mi 11m
George Brett Super Highway 6.8 mi 9m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway 5.6 mi 6m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway 2 mi 2m
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway 1.8 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Dwight D Eisenhower Highway — 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Weldon Spring, MO and Kansas City, MO.

1

Start on Old 94 South

149 ft · 8 sec · Old 94 South
2

Turn right onto Weldon Spring Road

263 ft · 6 sec · Weldon Spring Road
3

Merge onto MO 94

393 ft · 8 sec · MO 94
4

Keep slight right at fork onto North Outer Road

0.6 mi · 55 sec · North Outer Road
5

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 14 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North
6

Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61

9.9 mi · 11 min · Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

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.
8

Merge onto I 70; US 40

81 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
9

Continue on I 70; US 40

2.0 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
10

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.6 mi · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
11

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
12

Continue on I 70; US 40

54 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
13

Continue on I 70; US 40

52 mi · 56 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
14

Continue on I 70

2.7 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
15

Continue on I 70

1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on I 70

2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
17

Continue on I 70

6.8 mi · 9 min · George Brett Super Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

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.
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Exit 2P Toward 13th Street, Downtown Use the slight right lane.
20

Continue on East 13th Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · East 13th Street
21

Turn right onto Oak Street

454 ft · 13 sec · Oak Street
22

Arrive at destination

Oak Street

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour, 9-minute duration, this trip is easily accomplished in a single day. Aim to depart early to maximize your daylight hours and allow ample time for the more frequent turns characteristic of this route. The longest stretch without a significant break is 80.7 miles, so plan your single stop accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point. With a fuel cost estimated at $34, ensure your tank is full before you leave Weldon Spring. Keep an eye on your GPS, as the 'turn-heavy' nature of the profile means paying close attention to navigation cues.

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 109.6 miles from Weldon Spring, MO, or about 2h 9m 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 48 miles or 57m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 109.6 miles or 2h 9m 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 24m

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 Weldon Spring, 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 Weldon Spring, MO

This is one driving day of about 219.1 miles and 4h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Weldon Spring, 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 109.6 mi from Weldon Spring, MO · 2h 9m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Columbia, MO

110 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.

Popular next leg

Columbia, MO to Kansas City, MO

125.8 mi · 2h 20m

Pacing Suggestions

Wright City, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New Franklin, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 109.6 miles from Weldon Spring, 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

$34.25 one way

$68.51 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 77 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $37.61 $75.22
premium $4.89 $42.16 $84.33
diesel $5.61 $48.37 $96.75

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 76.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 65.7 0 $23.01 $10.52
Efficient EV 54.8 0 $19.17 $8.76
EV Truck/SUV 87.6 1 $30.67 $14.02

Gas CO2

77 kg

EV CO2

26 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Weldon Spring, MO

Evening in Weldon Spring on Wednesday

Local time

7:00 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kansas City, MO

Evening in Kansas City on Wednesday

Local time

7:00 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

74°F

Columbia, MO

110 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

17 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

4h 9m 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 Weldon Spring, MO to Kansas City, MO covers 219.1 miles and takes about 4h 9m 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 109.6 miles from Weldon Spring, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.25 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 demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 219.1 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 0.2 miles (North Outer Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 0.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.8 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Weldon Spring, MO to Kansas City, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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