Hillsdale to Kansas City is 241.6 miles and takes about 4h 39m via I 70, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within Missouri for its entirety, traversing the heart of the Midwest. It’s a straightforward, predominantly highway trip that’s ideal if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points. You’ll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it an efficient option for a single-day transit.
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
120.8 miles from Hillsdale, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
223 mi
4h 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
Lucas-Hunt Road
1 mi
1m
Florissant Road
1 mi
1m
Saint Louis Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
University Boulevard
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 223 mi, about 4h 14m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,509 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,050
Quietest
2 AM
~316 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hillsdale, MO and Kansas City, MO.
1
Start on Saint Louis Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Saint Louis Avenue
2
Turn right onto Lucas-Hunt Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Lucas-Hunt Road
3
Turn left onto MO 115
0.3 mi·27 sec·Natural Bridge Road
Use the straight lane.
4
Enter roundabout onto MO N
49 ft·0 sec·Florissant Road
5
Continue on MO N
1.0 mi·1 min·Florissant Road
6
Continue on MO N
0.3 mi·29 sec·University Boulevard
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·36 sec
Toward I 70 West
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·12 sec
Toward I 70 West: WentzvilleUse the slight left lane.
Exit 2LToward I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South: Topeka, WichitaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 2PToward 13th Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
16
Continue on East 13th Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·East 13th Street
17
Turn right onto Oak Street
454 ft·13 sec·Oak Street
18
Arrive at destination
Oak Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 39-minute drive time, it’s entirely feasible to complete this trip in one day, allowing for flexibility with your departure time. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize daylight and give yourself ample time for any unexpected delays. With only one recommended stop, you can choose a convenient point along I 70 for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on the 223-mile stretch of I 70, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination without needing to seek out distant stations.
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 120.8 miles from Hillsdale, MO, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 223 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 53 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.8 miles or 2h 19m 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 47m
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 Hillsdale, 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 Hillsdale, MO
This is one driving day of about 241.6 miles and 4h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Hillsdale, 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 I 70 for about 223 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 1.6 and 241.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in|MO 115 / Natural Bridge Road
Turn left onto MO 115 / Natural Bridge Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
1.9 mi into trip|~3m in|MO N / Florissant Road
Enter roundabout onto MO N / Florissant Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
3.6 mi into trip|~6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 West: Wentzville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 70 West: Wentzville
9
240.9 mi into trip|~4h 37m 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
241.1 mi into trip|~4h 38m 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
$35.68 one way
$71.36 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$39.39
$78.78
premium
$4.72
$44.86
$89.72
diesel
$4.80
$45.62
$91.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.5
0
$25.37
$11.60
Efficient EV
60.4
0
$21.14
$9.66
EV Truck/SUV
96.6
1
$33.82
$15.46
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Hillsdale, MO
Late night
in Hillsdale on Sunday
Local time
5:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
W 10 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Kansas City, MO
Late night
in Kansas City on Sunday
Local time
5:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 8 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
87°F
Centralia, MO
121 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 39m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Gateway Arch National Park
National Park
Gateway Arch National Park commemorates President Jefferson’s vision of a continental nation, the individuals and cultural groups who helped shape its history, St. Louis’ role in westward expansion, a...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 92% highway, meaning you’ll be on high-speed roads for the vast majority of the 241.6 miles. You'll encounter a long stretch of 223 miles on I 70 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a steady cruising experience with frequent exit and entrance ramps as you pass through populated areas along the corridor.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 223 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and George Brett Super Highway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near MO 115 / Natural Bridge Road.
Driving Effort6/10
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 241.6 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 1.6 miles (MO 115 / Natural Bridge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (MO N / Florissant Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
=== Welcome World Cup fans ===
Kansas City is one of the 16 North American cities hosting matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Games in the region will be played at Arrowhead Stadium, located in the Truman Sports Complex on the eastern side of the city. Here are a few helpful tips for visiting football fans:
Arrowhead Stadium is about 35–40 km from Kansas City International Airport (MCI), and a taxi or Uber ride usually takes 30–45 minutes, depending on traffic.
Top landmarks
•The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art — art museum in Kansas City, Missouri
•Union Station — main railway station in Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 39m. Total distance: 241.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 223 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (MO 115 / Natural Bridge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (MO N / Florissant Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Kansas City, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
