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Trip from Kansas City, KS to Pittsburg, KS

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 22m

Distance

124.3 mi

200 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Fair

4 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 13m ★
6 AM
2h 22m
8 AM
2h 42m
10 AM
2h 29m
12 PM
2h 27m
3 PM
2h 30m
5 PM
2h 41m
8 PM
2h 16m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Crawford County, in southeastern Kansas, United States

Pittsburg, KS

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are planning to travel from Kansas City to Pittsburg, you are looking at a straightforward 124.3-mile trek across the Great Plains. This drive typically takes about 2 hours and 22 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. You will spend the vast majority of your time on highways, specifically utilizing Overland Parkway, I-35, and the North 7th Street Trafficway. With a projected fuel cost of approximately $19, the trip is quite budget-friendly for solo drivers or small groups. Since both your start and end points are located within the Kansas region, the landscape remains consistent throughout the journey. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that gets you from point A to point B efficiently.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

62.1 miles from Kansas City, KS

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Overland Parkway 109.1 mi 1h 58m
I 35 8.4 mi 10m
North 7th Street Trafficway 3.1 mi 6m
West Atkinson Road 2.3 mi 3m
West 4th Street 1 mi 1m
US 69 <0.1 mi <1m
Armstrong Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
North Broadway Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Overland Parkway — 109.1 mi, about 1h 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City, KS and Pittsburg, KS.

1

Start on this road

149 ft · 13 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Armstrong Avenue

282 ft · 14 sec · Armstrong Avenue
3

Turn right onto US 69

3.1 mi · 6 min · North 7th Street Trafficway
Use the straight / right lanes.
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Toward I 35 South: Wichita
5

Merge onto I 35

8.4 mi · 10 min · I 35
Use the straight lane.
6

Take the exit onto US 69

109 mi · 1 hr 58 min · Overland Parkway
Exit 225B Toward US 69 South Use the slight right lane.
7

Take the exit onto US 69

319 ft · 8 sec · US 69
8

Merge onto US 69; US 160

2.3 mi · 3 min · West Atkinson Road
9

Turn left onto KS 126

1.0 mi · 1 min · West 4th Street
Use the left lane.
10

Turn right onto US 69 Business

66 ft · 2 sec · North Broadway Street
11

Arrive at destination

US 69 Business

Trip Plan

Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 2-hour and 22-minute journey in one go without needing to plan for overnight stops. I recommend fueling up before you head out, as keeping your $19 fuel budget in mind helps you stay on track for the day. Since there are zero scheduled stops in the data, try to build in your own breaks along the main highway stretches if you prefer to stretch your legs. Keep a close eye on your GPS when transitioning between Overland Parkway and the other major roads to ensure you stay on the most efficient path toward Pittsburg.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 62.1 miles from Kansas City, KS, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.1 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 27 miles or 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 62.1 miles or 1h 13m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 56m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pittsburg, KS than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Kansas City, KS 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 Kansas City, KS

This is one driving day of about 124.3 miles and 2h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Kansas City, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Overland Parkway for about 109.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Harrisonville, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Harrisonville, MO

62 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

Lenexa, KS

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Pleasanton, KS

Meal break

The midpoint is around 62.1 miles from Kansas City, KS, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Overland Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 109.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Tao Tao Chinese Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kansas City, Kansas

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11:45 am–8 pm

+19133421331

Visit website

Pegah's Family Restaurant - Johnson Drive

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Shawnee, Kansas

1.2 mi

El Torito Taquería

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Kansas City, Kansas

1.2 mi

Tao Tao Chinese Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Kansas

Hours: 11:45 am–8 pm

+19133421331

Visit website

Pegah's Family Restaurant - Johnson Drive

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 8.9

Shawnee, Kansas

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+19139626700

Visit website

El Torito Taquería

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Kansas

Hours: 8 am–9:30 pm

+19132330463

Visit website

Dott Boss

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 6:30 am–12 pm

+18162838000

Visit website

Pokesan - Poke Bowls, Dumplings & More

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18167016120

Visit website

Fronteras Mexican Restaurant and Cantina

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 8.9

Lenexa, Kansas

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+19139621369

Visit website

Chef Tito´s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

North Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 4–9 pm

+18168414700

Visit website

Chappell's Restaurant & Sports Museum

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18164210002

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 124.3

Pittsburg, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

SWTCH Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route mile 124.3

Pittsburg, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18447982438

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 124.3

Pittsburg, Kansas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+16202313100

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 124.3

Frontenac, Kansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Game Show Battle Rooms - Kansas City (Overland Park)

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 17.8

Overland Park, Kansas

Hours: 9 am–9:30 pm

+19133501819

Visit website

Money Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 9:30 am–4 pm

+18168812683

Visit website

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 and 123.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Armstrong Avenue

Turn right onto Armstrong Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 69 / North 7th Street Trafficway

Turn right onto US 69 / North 7th Street Trafficway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
3.3 mi into trip | ~7m in | I 35

Merge onto I 35

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
7
11.7 mi into trip | ~18m in | US 69 / Overland Parkway

Take the exit onto US 69 / Overland Parkway toward US 69 South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 225B Toward US 69 South
6
123.2 mi into trip | ~2h 20m in | KS 126 / West 4th Street

Turn left onto KS 126 / West 4th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.43 one way

$38.87 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $21.34 $42.67
premium $4.89 $23.92 $47.84
diesel $5.61 $27.44 $54.89

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 43.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 37.3 0 $13.05 $5.97
Efficient EV 31.1 0 $10.88 $4.97
EV Truck/SUV 49.7 0 $17.40 $7.96

Gas CO2

43 kg

EV CO2

15 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.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Kansas City, KS

Night in Kansas City on Saturday

Local time

11:43 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Pittsburg, KS

Night in Pittsburg on Saturday

Local time

11:43 PM

CDT

Current temp

44°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

NW 13 to 20 mph 95% chance Live forecast

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

30 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 22m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a focused, highway-heavy experience, as 95% of this route consists of high-speed transit. The drive is defined by a significant 109.1-mile stretch along Overland Parkway, which serves as the primary backbone of your journey. Because this is a highway-focused drive, you will find it moves quickly, though it lacks the winding variety of rural backroads. You should be prepared for a consistent pace behind the wheel once you clear the initial city traffic. The road maintains a steady rhythm, allowing you to cover the total 124.3-mile distance without much technical maneuvering or complex navigation.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 109.1 mi on Overland Parkway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Overland Parkway and I 35. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Armstrong Avenue.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 22m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Armstrong Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 69 / North 7th Street Trafficway): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 22m. Total distance: 124.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 109.1 miles on Overland Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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: near the start (Armstrong Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 69 / North 7th Street Trafficway): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Pittsburg, KS 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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