If you are planning a trip from Kansas City to Malden, prepare for a straightforward 388.6-mile journey across Missouri. Expect to spend approximately 7 hours and 53 minutes behind the wheel, making this a long but manageable single-day drive for most travelers. With a fuel budget of about $59, the route relies heavily on major thoroughfares like US 60, MO 13, and MO 7. While you could tackle the distance in one go, staying aware of the nearly eight-hour duration is key to maintaining your energy. Since both the origin and destination are situated within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you traverse the state. This trip is ideal for those who prefer highway-focused driving over complex navigation.
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
194.3 miles from Kansas City, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 49m 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
MO J
11.5 mi
20m
Schoolcraft Freeway
8.3 mi
10m
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 Malden, 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 157Toward MO 7 South: Clinton
9
Turn slight left onto MO 7
55 mi·1 hr 3 min·MO 7
Exit 157Toward MO 7 South: ClintonUse 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 82AToward 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
12 mi·20 min·MO J
25
Turn right onto MO 25 Business
0.4 mi·45 sec·North Douglas Street
26
Turn left onto MO 25 Business
0.2 mi·28 sec·West Main Street
27
Turn right onto MO 25 Business
442 ft·10 sec·South Madison Street
28
Turn right onto West Laclede Street
63 ft·2 sec·West Laclede Street
29
Arrive at destination
West Laclede Street
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least two intentional stops to stretch your legs during the 7-hour and 53-minute trek. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid fatigue, especially since this route is best completed in one day to avoid the need for an overnight stay. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $59 estimated cost can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and current gas prices. Since you have a 177.3-mile stretch on US 60, try to time your fuel refills and breaks to coincide with that transition to avoid running low on long, open road segments. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so monitor your energy levels and adjust your two planned stops to ensure you arrive in Malden refreshed.
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 194.3 miles from Kansas City, MO, or about 3h 49m 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 194.3 miles or 3h 49m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Malden, 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 388.6 miles and 7h 53m.
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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
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
$60.75 one way
$121.51 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg136 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$66.70
$133.41
premium
$4.89
$74.78
$149.57
diesel
$5.61
$85.80
$171.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 136 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
116.6
1
$40.80
$18.65
Efficient EV
97.2
1
$34.00
$15.54
EV Truck/SUV
155.4
1
$54.40
$24.87
Gas CO2
136 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Kansas City, MO
Evening
in Kansas City on Saturday
Local time
8:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Sunny
SSW 3 to 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Malden, MO
Evening
in Malden on Saturday
Local time
8:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Houston, MO
194 mi in
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
7 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 53m 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
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
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 174.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is defined by its efficiency, with 85% of the trip consisting of highway travel. You will spend a significant portion of your time on US 60, which features the route's longest uninterrupted stretch of 177.3 miles. Because the path relies on a mix of MO 13 and MO 7 alongside US 60, the road surface remains relatively consistent, favoring steady speeds over technical maneuvers. Expect a focused, highway-centric experience that allows you to cover ground quickly. As you progress from the Kansas City area toward Malden, the rhythm of the drive stays predictable, making it a reliable choice for drivers looking to minimize complex turns.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 388.6 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.
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 Malden, MO, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Poplar Bluff.
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 53m. Total distance: 388.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 53m 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.
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 Malden, 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: 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 Malden, MO before the return drive.
