Origin
Ashland, MO
Morning in Ashland on Tuesday
Local time
7:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ashland, MO to Kansas City, MO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 37m
Distance
141.1 mi
227 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 27m
★
6 AM
2h 38m
8 AM
2h 58m
10 AM
2h 45m
12 PM
2h 43m
3 PM
2h 46m
5 PM
2h 57m
8 PM
2h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ashland, MO
Valeria Boltneva
Kansas City, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 141.1-mile journey from Ashland to Kansas City, Missouri, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 37 minutes to complete. You'll be navigating a mix of U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway and Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with some segments on US 63. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest to Midwest drive is around $22. Given its relatively short duration and the presence of one planned stop, it offers a flexible travel option. The overall feel is that of a turn-heavy local drive, suggesting you'll experience a variety of road conditions rather than a constant interstate pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
70.6 miles from Ashland, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway | 54.4 mi | 58m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 54.3 mi | 58m |
| US 63 | 13.1 mi | 14m |
| George Brett Super Highway | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
— 54.4 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ashland, MO and Kansas City, MO.
1
Start on MO Y
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
East Broadway
2
Enter roundabout onto MO M; MO Y
173 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Broadway
3
Continue on MO M; MO Y
484 ft
·
10 sec
·
East Broadway
4
Enter roundabout
283 ft
·
5 sec
5
Continue
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
6
Merge onto US 63
13 mi
·
14 min
·
US 63
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 70, US 40, MO PP: Kansas City, Saint Louis
Use the left / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 63 Conn
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
US 63 Conn
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
Use the left lane.
10
Merge onto I 70; US 40
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
11
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi
·
58 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
52 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15
Continue on I 70
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
16
Continue on I 70
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 70
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
18
Continue on I 70
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
George Brett Super Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 2P
Toward 13th Street, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
21
Continue on East 13th Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
East 13th Street
22
Turn right onto Oak Street
454 ft
·
13 sec
·
Oak Street
23
Arrive at destination
Oak Street
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 37-minute drive, departing in the morning allows you to reach Kansas City with plenty of daylight. With only one stop recommended, you have flexibility in pacing your journey; consider a mid-drive break to stretch your legs and refuel. The $22 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to check your tank before leaving Ashland. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to the 'turn-heavy' nature of the drive, especially when transitioning between U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway and Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, as navigation prompts might be frequent.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 70.6 miles from Ashland, MO, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.4 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 31 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.6 miles or 1h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 7m
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 Ashland, 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 Ashland, MO
This is one driving day of about 141.1 miles and 2h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Ashland, 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 U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway for about 54.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 70.6 miles from Ashland, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 140.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
MO M; MO Y / East Broadway
Enter roundabout onto MO M; MO Y / East Broadway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
13.7 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward I 70, US 40, MO PP: Kansas City, Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 70, US 40, MO PP: Kansas City, Saint L...
9
14.3 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the exit 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 left lane.
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
9
140.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m 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
140.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.06 one way
$44.12 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.22 | $48.44 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.15 | $54.31 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.15 | $62.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.3 | 0 | $14.82 | $6.77 |
| Efficient EV | 35.3 | 0 | $12.35 | $5.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.4 | 0 | $19.75 | $9.03 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (65% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Morning in Kansas City on Tuesday
Local time
7:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
65°F
Concordia, MO
71 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
2 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
2h 37m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a driving experience that leans towards local roads rather than a pure interstate cruise, with a highway share of only 10%. The route features a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, so be prepared for more frequent changes in direction. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 54.4 miles on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. This suggests a drive that will keep you engaged with the landscape and road conditions, rather than a monotonous highway grind. The mix of roads means you'll likely transition between faster stretches and more winding, local paths.
Only 10% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.4 mi on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 MO M; MO Y / East Broadway.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 141.1 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 (MO M; MO Y / East Broadway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 13.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ashland, MO and Kansas City, MO, road signs point toward Mo Pp: Kansas City and Saint Louis.
Mo Pp: Kansas City
13.7 mi in
|
~15m
Saint Louis
13.7 mi in
|
~15m
About the Cities
Arriving in Kansas City, MO
Full guide →Kansas City is a major Midwestern metropolitan area that spreads across the border of Missouri and Kansas. It is a city that tends to hide itself from tourists. Reputed to have more boulevards than Paris and more fountains than any other city in the world except for Rome, it can be a beautiful city, too. It is unique in that it is split down the middle by the state line of Kansas and Missouri.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 37m. Total distance: 141.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.4 miles on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Kansas City, MO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (MO M; MO Y / East Broadway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 13.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Kansas City, MO before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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