Kansas City, MO to Advance, MO is 372.8 miles and takes about 7h 8m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, primarily traversing Missouri. Expect a drive characterized by frequent turns and a local feel, rather than a straightforward interstate journey. With just two recommended stops and a manageable duration, it's a feasible one-day excursion for those seeking a direct route across the state.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
186.4 miles from Kansas City, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
135.3 mi
2h 34m
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
101 mi
1h 48m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
Avenue of the Saints
25.1 mi
30m
MO 25
15.9 mi
23m
I 270
11.5 mi
14m
George Brett Super Highway
6.9 mi
9m
Nash Road
5.6 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 135.3 mi, about 2h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City, MO and Advance, MO.
32 mi·34 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
22 mi·24 min·U.S. Submarine Veterans' 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
1.6 mi·1 min·Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
15
Continue on I 70; US 40
81 mi·1 hr 35 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
16
Take the exit onto US 40
0.3 mi·33 sec·US 40
Exit 210AToward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
17
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi·30 min·Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 25Toward I 270: Chicago, MemphisUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward I 270 South: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 270
11 mi·14 min·I 270
Use the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·27 sec
Exit 1AToward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward I 55 South: Memphis
23
Merge onto I 55
1.5 mi·1 min·Rosa Parks Highway
24
Continue on I 55
1.8 mi·2 min·Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
25
Continue on I 55
101 mi·1 hr 48 min·Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 91Toward MO AB: Cape Girardeau Regional Airport
27
Keep slight right at fork
160 ft·3 sec
Exit 91Toward MO AB: Cape Girardeau Regional Airport
28
Turn right onto MO AB
5.6 mi·7 min·Nash Road
29
Enter roundabout onto MO 25
191 ft·3 sec·MO 25
Toward MO 25 South: Delta
30
Continue on MO 25
16 mi·23 min·MO 25
Toward MO 25 South: Delta
31
Continue on MO 91
0.3 mi·35 sec·MO 91
32
Turn right onto MO 91
212 ft·3 sec·Oak Street
33
Arrive at destination
MO 91
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour duration, starting your drive from Kansas City, MO early in the morning is advisable to ensure you reach Advance, MO with ample daylight. Plan for your two stops strategically, perhaps breaking up the 135.3-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition to more local roads where services might be less frequent. The flexibility of a single-day drive means you can adjust your pace as needed, but be prepared for the frequent turns that define this route.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 186.4 miles from Kansas City, MO, or about 3h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.3 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 82 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 186.4 miles or 3h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Advance, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kansas City, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Kansas City, MO
This is one driving day of about 372.8 miles and 7h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Kansas City, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 135.3 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 208.1 and 350.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
208.1 mi into trip|~3h 56m in|US 40
Take the exit onto US 40 toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 210A
Toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Ches...
8
233.5 mi into trip|~4h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
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 25
Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
7
233.8 mi into trip|~4h 27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 270 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 270 South: Memphis
8
245.6 mi into trip|~4h 42m in
Take the exit toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road
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.
Exit 1A
Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis...
7
350.9 mi into trip|~6h 36m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MO AB: Cape Girardeau Regional Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 91
Toward MO AB: Cape Girardeau Regional Airport
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.28 one way
$116.57 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg130 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$63.99
$127.98
premium
$4.89
$71.74
$143.48
diesel
$5.61
$82.31
$164.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
111.8
1
$39.14
$17.89
Efficient EV
93.2
1
$32.62
$14.91
EV Truck/SUV
149.1
1
$52.19
$23.86
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Kansas City, MO
Evening
in Kansas City on Saturday
Local time
8:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Advance, MO
Evening
in Advance on Saturday
Local time
8:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
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
20 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
7h 8m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Established by 1750, Ste. Geneviève was the first permanent European settlement in Missouri. Early French Canadian settlers were drawn here by the rich agricultural land known as Le Grand Champ (the B...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 295.7
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
$19
near mile 244.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a turn-heavy local drive experience, with only 8% of the journey on highways. While the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway provides the longest uninterrupted stretch at 135.3 miles, much of the drive will involve navigating more localized roads. The profile suggests a dynamic journey where you'll be adjusting your course frequently, making it less of a predictable cruise and more of an engaging navigation challenge.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 135.3 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 208.1 miles in near US 40.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 372.8 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 208.1 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kansas City, MO and Advance, MO, road signs point toward Memphis and Mo Ab: Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.
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 7h 8m. Total distance: 372.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 8m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 135.3 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. 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.
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 Advance, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 208.1 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park and Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Advance, MO before the return drive.
