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Trip from Kansas City, MO to Barnhart, MO

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 59m

Distance

258.9 mi

417 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 46m ★
6 AM
5h 0m
8 AM
5h 27m
10 AM
5h 9m
12 PM
5h 7m
3 PM
5h 11m
5 PM
5h 25m
8 PM
4h 52m

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 Missouri, United States, that is one of two county seats of Jackson County and the largest city in Missouri

Kansas City, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Barnhart, MO, MO

Barnhart, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 258.9-mile drive from Kansas City, MO, to Barnhart, MO, is estimated to take just under 5 hours, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day road trip. You'll navigate using a combination of East 12th Street, Charlotte Street, and I-70 East. With a projected fuel cost of around $39, this route offers an economical journey through the Midwest. The drive is characterized by frequent turns and local road segments, so plan for a more engaging, less monotonous experience. This trip is best tackled in one go, allowing for flexibility with stops along the way.

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

129.4 miles from Kansas City, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 135.3 mi 2h 34m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway 54.4 mi 58m
Avenue of the Saints 25.1 mi 30m
I 270 11.5 mi 14m
Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway 7.7 mi 8m
George Brett Super Highway 6.9 mi 9m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway 5.6 mi 6m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway 1.9 mi 2m
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 Barnhart, MO.

1

Start on Oak Street

20 ft · 4 sec · Oak Street
2

Turn right onto East 12th Street

0.2 mi · 42 sec · East 12th Street
3

Turn right onto Charlotte Street

476 ft · 11 sec · Charlotte Street
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East
5

Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40

6.9 mi · 9 min · George Brett Super Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Continue on I 70

2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
7

Continue on I 70

1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 70

2.6 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
9

Continue on I 70

53 mi · 56 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
10

Continue on I 70; US 40

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 210A Toward 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 25 Toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis Use the slight right lane.
19

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 31 sec
Toward I 270 South: Memphis Use 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 1A Toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road Use 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

7.7 mi · 8 min · Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
26

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Exit 185 Toward MO M: Barnhart, Antonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Turn left onto MO M

0.7 mi · 1 min · MO M
Use the left lane.
28

Turn right onto US 61; US 67

0.2 mi · 24 sec · US 61; US 67
29

Continue on East Street

0.2 mi · 36 sec · East Street
30

Turn right onto Willing Street

133 ft · 11 sec · Willing Street
31

Turn left onto East Street

314 ft · 13 sec · East Street
32

Arrive at destination

East Street

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour 59-minute duration, departing from Kansas City in the morning is advisable to reach Barnhart with ample daylight. With only one suggested stop and a turn-heavy profile, keep your fuel tank topped up before you leave, as you might not encounter many long stretches with readily available services. The $39 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always carry a little extra. Since this is a manageable day trip, you have the flexibility to depart when you're ready and take breaks as needed, but be mindful of the constant navigation changes.

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 129.4 miles from Kansas City, MO, or about 2h 23m 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 57 miles or 1h 4m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 129.4 miles or 2h 23m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Barnhart, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Kansas City, MO

This is one driving day of about 258.9 miles and 4h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Kansas City, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 135.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Fulton, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Fulton, MO

129 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

Warrensburg, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Columbia, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 129.4 miles from Kansas City, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135.3 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

Thailand Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Blue Springs, Missouri

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 18.5

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+18162293292

Visit website

Pokesan - Poke Bowls, Dumplings & More

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kansas City, Missouri

0.3 mi

Vietnam Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kansas City, Missouri

0.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Core Coffee & Eatery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kansas City, Missouri

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18162875027

Visit website

Thailand Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 18.5

Blue Springs, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+18162293292

Visit website

Pokesan - Poke Bowls, Dumplings & More

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18167016120

Visit website

Vietnam Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+18164724888

Visit website

Dott Boss

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 6:30 am–12 pm

+18162838000

Visit website

Asian Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18168943988

Visit website

Black Garlic Restaurant & Rum Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 5–9 pm

+18162146939

Visit website

Chef Tito´s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

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

North Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 4–9 pm

+18168414700

Visit website

TAILLEUR RESTAURANT

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $50 to $10

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 5–9 pm

+18164427042

Visit website

Core Coffee & Eatery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18162875027

Visit website

Cafe Amalia

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 240.4

Kirkwood, Missouri

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+13146982200

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 129.4

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Flying J EV Charging Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 184.9

Warrenton, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16364562001

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 147.9

Kingdom City, Missouri

+15733106020

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 129.4

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 129.4

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 147.9

Kingdom City, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 203.4

Wentzville, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

2.1 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 129.4

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Money Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 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 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 208.1 and 257.4 — 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...
8
257.4 mi into trip | ~4h 56m in

Take the exit toward MO M: Barnhart, Antonia

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 185 Toward MO M: Barnhart, Antonia

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$40.48 one way

$80.95 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 91 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $44.44 $88.88
premium $4.89 $49.82 $99.65
diesel $5.61 $57.16 $114.32

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 90.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 77.7 0 $27.18 $12.43
Efficient EV 64.7 0 $22.65 $10.36
EV Truck/SUV 103.6 1 $36.25 $16.57

Gas CO2

91 kg

EV CO2

30 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Kansas City, MO

Night in Kansas City on Saturday

Local time

9:48 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Barnhart, MO

Night in Barnhart on Saturday

Local time

9:48 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°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

13 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 59m 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

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...

14 mi from route ~34 min detour $19 near mile 241
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this journey, with a highway share of 0%. The route avoids significant stretches of continuous highway, meaning you'll be navigating a series of local roads and turns for the majority of the 4 hours and 59 minutes. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the profile suggests a more engaging driving experience with constant adjustments rather than long, straight runs. This driving style requires consistent attention and may be more enjoyable for those who prefer varied navigation.

Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 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 Effort 10/10

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 17 significant decision points across 258.9 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.

On the drive from Kansas City, MO to Barnhart, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.

Memphis

233.5 mi in | ~4h 27m

About the Cities

Starting 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 4h 59m. Total distance: 258.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.

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 Barnhart, 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 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 — Gateway Arch National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Barnhart, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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