If you are planning to head north from Camdenton to Kansas City, expect a straightforward journey covering 152.2 miles. This trip typically takes about 3 hours and 16 minutes behind the wheel, making it a very manageable day trip that rarely requires an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via MO 7, MO 5, and US 54 as you transition through the heart of the Midwest. Budgeting approximately $23 for fuel should keep you covered for the entire trek. Since the route is efficient and direct, it serves as a reliable link between the Lake of the Ozarks area and the metropolitan center of Kansas City.
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
76.1 miles from Camdenton, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MO 7
142.8 mi
3h 3m
MO 5
7.7 mi
9m
US 54
0.8 mi
1m
East 11th Street
0.3 mi
1m
Oak Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
MO 7
— 142.8 mi, about 3h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Camdenton, MO and Kansas City, MO.
1
Start on US 54
0.8 mi·1 min·US 54
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward MO 5 North, MO 7 North: Sunrise BeachUse the left lane.
3
Merge onto MO 5; MO 7
7.7 mi·9 min·MO 5; MO 7
4
Turn left onto MO 7
37 mi·53 min·MO 7
5
Take the exit onto MO 7
0.3 mi·33 sec·MO 7
Toward MO 7 North: Warsaw, Clinton
6
Turn left onto MO 7
28 mi·38 min·MO 7
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on MO 7; MO 13; MO 52
39 mi·44 min·MO 7; MO 13; MO 52
8
Take the exit onto MO 7
38 mi·45 min·MO 7
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·25 sec
Toward 11th Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn straight onto East 11th Street
0.3 mi·1 min·East 11th Street
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto Oak Street
461 ft·15 sec·Oak Street
12
Arrive at destination
Oak Street
Trip Plan
Because this drive is easily completed in one day, you have plenty of flexibility to time your departure based on Kansas City traffic patterns. Plan for at least one stop along the 3-hour and 16-minute route to stretch your legs and refresh your focus. Since 99% of the trip is on highways, keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Camdenton to ensure you stay within your $23 budget for the duration. Given the significant 142.8-mile stretch on MO 7, make sure your vehicle is prepared for a long period of sustained highway speeds. Taking advantage of the single recommended stop will keep you energized for the final leg of your journey into the city.
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 76.1 miles from Camdenton, MO, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.8 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 33 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.1 miles or 1h 46m 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 43m
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 Camdenton, 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 Camdenton, MO
This is one driving day of about 152.2 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Camdenton, 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 MO 7 for about 142.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 151.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
0.8 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the exit toward MO 5 North, MO 7 North: Sunrise Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward MO 5 North, MO 7 North: Sunrise Beach
5
46 mi into trip|~1h 5m in|MO 7
Take the exit onto MO 7 toward MO 7 North: Warsaw, Clinton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MO 7 North: Warsaw, Clinton
4
46.2 mi into trip|~1h 6m in|MO 7
Turn left onto MO 7
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
113.5 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|MO 7
Take the exit onto MO 7 toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: 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 right lanes.
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kan...
7
151.5 mi into trip|~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward 11th 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.
Toward 11th Street, Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.79 one way
$47.59 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$26.13
$52.25
premium
$4.89
$29.29
$58.58
diesel
$5.61
$33.60
$67.21
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.7
0
$15.98
$7.31
Efficient EV
38.1
0
$13.32
$6.09
EV Truck/SUV
60.9
0
$21.31
$9.74
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Camdenton, MO
Late night
in Camdenton on Sunday
Local time
4:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Scattered Rain Showers
S 17 mph53% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 12:21AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 9:46PM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Kansas City, MO
Late night
in Kansas City on Sunday
Local time
4:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
S 16 mph95% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 12:21AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 9:46PM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
80°F
Warsaw, MO
76 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
4 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
3h 16m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 152.2-mile trek is a highway-focused drive, with 99% of your time spent on main thoroughfares. You should prepare for a consistent pace, as the route features a dominant 142.8-mile stretch on MO 7 that defines the experience. While you will utilize MO 5 and US 54 to complete the connection, the majority of the drive feels like a steady, uninterrupted transit. Expect a functional, road-heavy commute that prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding backroads. It is a predictable drive that allows you to settle into a rhythm once you merge onto the primary highway corridor.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 142.8 mi on MO 7.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 7 and MO 5. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 152.2 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.2 miles (MO 7): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,055 ft776 ft
Total Climb
146 ft
Total Descent
385 ft
Highest Point
1,055 ft
~21.7 mi in
Elevation Range
279 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Camdenton, MO to Kansas City, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Clinton along the way.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 16m. Total distance: 152.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 142.8 miles on MO 7. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.2 miles (MO 7): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Kansas City, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
