Origin
Kansas City, MO
Late night in Kansas City on Tuesday
Local time
3:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kansas City, MO to Battlefield, MO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 27m
Distance
173.4 mi
279 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 16m
★
6 AM
3h 28m
8 AM
3h 52m
10 AM
3h 36m
12 PM
3h 34m
3 PM
3h 38m
5 PM
3h 51m
8 PM
3h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kansas City, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Battlefield, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 173.4-mile journey from Kansas City, MO, to Battlefield, MO, is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can comfortably be completed in about 3 hours and 27 minutes. With 75% of the route on highways, it's an efficient trip, making it an ideal one-day excursion. You'll be traveling within the Midwest region for the entire duration. Budget around $27 for fuel, and plan for one stop along the way to break up the drive. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 67.9 miles, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs.
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
86.7 miles from Kansas City, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MO 13 | 67.9 mi | 1h 18m |
| MO 7 | 55.6 mi | 1h 4m |
| Bruce R. Watkins Drive | 37.3 mi | 44m |
| US 160 | 6.9 mi | 11m |
| MO FF | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Payne Stewart Highway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Charlotte Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East 12th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
MO 13
— 67.9 mi, about 1h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City, MO and Battlefield, 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
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Charlotte Street
4
Turn left onto East Truman Road
395 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Truman Road
5
Turn right onto Campbell Street
68 ft
·
1 sec
·
Campbell Street
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward US 71 South: Joplin
7
Merge onto US 71
37 mi
·
44 min
·
Bruce R. Watkins Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto MO 7
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
MO 7
Exit 157
Toward MO 7 South: Clinton
9
Turn slight left onto MO 7
55 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
MO 7
Exit 157
Toward MO 7 South: Clinton
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on MO 13
68 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
MO 13
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 44 West: Joplin
12
Merge onto I 44
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Payne Stewart Highway
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 75
Toward US 160: West Bypass, Willard
14
Turn left onto US 160
6.9 mi
·
11 min
·
US 160
15
Continue on MO FF
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
MO FF
16
Turn left onto 182
68 ft
·
1 sec
·
West 3rd Street
17
Arrive at destination
182
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour, 27-minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip from Kansas City to Battlefield. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive by early afternoon. With a fuel cost estimated at $27 and only one recommended stop, flexibility is key. Consider leaving early to maximize your time at your destination. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest 67.9-mile stretch on MO 13, to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted journey.
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 86.7 miles from Kansas City, MO, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.9 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 38 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.7 miles or 1h 42m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Battlefield, 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 173.4 miles and 3h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 MO 13 for about 67.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86.7 miles from Kansas City, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before MO 13 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 163.7 — 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
|
East 12th Street
Turn right onto East 12th Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Campbell Street
Turn right onto Campbell Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 71 / Bruce R. Watkins Drive
Merge onto US 71 / Bruce R. Watkins Drive
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
38.1 mi into trip
|
~46m in
|
MO 7
Take the exit onto MO 7 toward MO 7 South: Clinton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 157
Toward MO 7 South: Clinton
6
163.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 11m in
Take the exit toward US 160: West Bypass, Willard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 75
Toward US 160: West Bypass, Willard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.11 one way
$54.22 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.76 | $59.53 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.37 | $66.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.28 | $76.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52 | 0 | $18.21 | $8.32 |
| Efficient EV | 43.4 | 0 | $15.17 | $6.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.4 | 0 | $24.28 | $11.10 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Battlefield, MO
Late night in Battlefield on Tuesday
Local time
3:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°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
6 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 27m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 173.4
Caution: BE AWARE OF HIGH-WATER DANGER
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 75% of your travel occurring on main roads like MO 13 and MO 7. The drive features a significant 67.9-mile stretch on MO 13, offering a consistent pace. While the profile is highway-centric, the inclusion of Bruce R. Watkins Drive suggests some urban or suburban access roads at the beginning. This isn't a winding, scenic byway, but rather a practical and efficient path designed for steady progress.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.9 mi on MO 13.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 13 and MO 7. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East 12th Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 173.4 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (East 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (Campbell Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (US 71 / Bruce R. Watkins Drive): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
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 Battlefield, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Willard along the way.
Willard
163.7 mi in
|
~3h 11m
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 3h 27m. Total distance: 173.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 67.9 miles on MO 13. 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: near the start (East 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (Campbell Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (US 71 / Bruce R. Watkins Drive): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Battlefield, 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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