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Trip from Kansas City, MO to Bethany, MO

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

Drive Time

7h 52m

Distance

385.9 mi

621 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$57

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
7h 44m ★
6 AM
7h 53m
8 AM
8h 11m
10 AM
7h 59m
12 PM
7h 57m
3 PM
8h 0m
5 PM
8h 10m
8 PM
7h 47m

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

Best Time
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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

city in Missouri, United States

Bethany, MO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 385.9-mile journey from Kansas City, MO, to Bethany, MO, is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 7 hours and 52 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing US 60 and MO 13, with a bit of MO 7, this route is largely highway-focused, with 85% of the drive on faster roads. You can expect a fuel cost of approximately $60 for this trip. With two planned stops, it's a manageable drive for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. The route keeps you within the Midwest region, offering a straightforward drive through Missouri.

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

193 miles from Kansas City, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 48m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 60 177.3 mi 3h 28m
MO 13 68 mi 1h 19m
MO 7 55.6 mi 1h 4m
Bruce R. Watkins Drive 37.3 mi 44m
MO 53 19.6 mi 29m
Schoolcraft Freeway 8.3 mi 10m
MO J 5.2 mi 9m
Payne Stewart Highway 4.3 mi 5m
Longest stretch: US 60 — 177.3 mi, about 3h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City, MO and Bethany, 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 19 min · MO 13
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis
12

Merge onto I 44

4.3 mi · 5 min · Payne Stewart Highway
13

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Exit 82A Toward US 65 South: Branson
14

Merge onto US 65

8.3 mi · 10 min · Schoolcraft Freeway
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 52 sec
Toward US 60 East: Cabool
16

Merge onto US 60

82 mi · 1 hr 35 min · US 60
17

Keep slight left at fork onto US 60

90 mi · 1 hr 46 min · US 60
Toward US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff
18

Keep slight right at fork onto US 60

4.8 mi · 6 min · US 60
19

Turn straight onto US 60 Business; US 67 Business

1.6 mi · 2 min · North Westwood Boulevard
20

Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business

0.3 mi · 25 sec · State Street
21

Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business

2.3 mi · 3 min · North Westwood Boulevard
22

Turn slight left

133 ft · 7 sec
23

Turn slight left onto MO 53

20 mi · 29 min · MO 53
24

Turn left onto MO J

5.2 mi · 9 min · MO J
25

Turn left onto MO H

3.5 mi · 8 min · MO H
26

Turn right onto County Road 102

0.8 mi · 3 min · County Road 102
27

Arrive at destination

County Road 102

Trip Plan

Given the 7-hour, 52-minute drive time, an early morning start from Kansas City is recommended to make the most of your day. You'll have two opportunities to stop along the way, which is a good pace for a drive of this length. Keep an eye on your fuel as the longest stretch is 177.3 miles on US 60, so plan your refueling stops accordingly. The estimated fuel cost is $60, so budget for that. This trip is well-suited for a single-day adventure, so you have flexibility in your departure time and how long you choose to linger at your stops.

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 193 miles from Kansas City, MO, or about 3h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 177.3 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 85 miles or 1h 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 193 miles or 3h 48m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 24m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bethany, 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 385.9 miles and 7h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 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 US 60 for about 177.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Missouri, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

West Plains, MO

193 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

Oak Grove, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 85 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Branson, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 193 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 US 60 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 177.3 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop

Pokesan - Poke Bowls, Dumplings & More

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kansas City, Missouri

Near the start, right off the route

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

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18167016120

Visit website

Vietnam Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kansas City, Missouri

0.7 mi

Dott Boss

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Kansas City, Missouri

0.3 mi

Best coffee break

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

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

Oseyo Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Bolivar, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14173262100

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

Cantonese Kitchen

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Springfield, Missouri

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+14177715621

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

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

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Springfield, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Bolivar, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14173260188

Visit website

Dynamic Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Springfield, Missouri

+18332172197

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Springfield, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Francis Energy Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Poplar Bluff, Missouri

+18004891588

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Springfield, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Bolivar, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Bolivar, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Garden Inn Truck Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

TA Express

0.2 mi from route

Sapp Brothers Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

QuikTrip

0.2 mi from route

Buc-ee's

2.4 mi from route

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 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 257.4 — 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
257.4 mi into trip | ~5h 3m in | US 60

Keep slight left at fork onto US 60 toward US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 60 East: Mountain View, Poplar Bluff

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$56.99 one way

$113.98 round trip

$3.75/gal 25.4 MPG avg 135 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.14 $62.91 $125.83
premium $4.72 $71.65 $143.30
diesel $4.80 $72.87 $145.73

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$57

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$82–$107

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 135 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 115.8 1 $40.52 $18.52
Efficient EV 96.5 1 $33.77 $15.44
EV Truck/SUV 154.4 1 $54.03 $24.70

Gas CO2

135 kg

EV CO2

45 kg (67% 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 Jul 17, 2026

Origin

Kansas City, MO

Evening in Kansas City on Saturday

Local time

5:19 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Partly Cloudy then Patchy Fog

S 5 mph 7% chance Live forecast

Destination

Bethany, MO

Evening in Bethany on Saturday

Local time

5:19 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Mostly Clear

WSW 0 to 5 mph 4% 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

3 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 52m 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.

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

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...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 173
Caution: BE AWARE OF HIGH-WATER DANGER
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 highway-focused drive for most of this trip, with 85% of the mileage on faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 177.3 miles, primarily on US 60. While mostly highway, this route offers a good balance, avoiding a purely monotonous interstate experience. The roads will generally feel efficient, allowing you to cover ground steadily. This profile suggests a drive where you can maintain consistent speeds for extended periods.

85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 177.3 mi on US 60.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 60 and MO 13. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East 12th Street.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 385.9 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: 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.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,593 ft 328 ft

Total Climb

1,195 ft

Total Descent

1,665 ft

Highest Point

1,593 ft

~193 mi in

Elevation Range

1,265 ft

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 Bethany, MO, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Poplar Bluff.

Saint Louis

161.8 mi in | ~3h 9m

Poplar Bluff

257.4 mi in | ~5h 3m | via US 60

About the Cities

Starting in Kansas City, MO

Full guide →

Founded 1853

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
  • • Hy-Vee Arena — architectural structure

Arriving in Bethany, MO

Full guide →

Founded 1860

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 7h 52m. Total distance: 385.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 52m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 177.3 miles on US 60. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 9 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 Bethany, 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. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bethany, MO before the return drive.

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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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