Kansas City, MO to Rolla, MO is 218.6 miles and takes about 4h 14m via US 63, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Missouri, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface roads as you head south. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is ideal for a straightforward, single-day trip.
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
109.3 miles from Kansas City, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 63
90.5 mi
1h 50m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
54.3 mi
58m
George Brett Super Highway
6.9 mi
9m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
5.6 mi
6m
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi
2m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi
1m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 63
— 90.5 mi, about 1h 50m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 13 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,251 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~346 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City, MO and Rolla, 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
1.5 mi·1 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 128AToward US 63: Jefferson City, Moberly
16
Turn slight right
192 ft·4 sec
Toward US 63 South: Jefferson City
17
Merge onto US 63 Conn
521 ft·11 sec·US 63 Conn
Use the slight right lane.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward US 63 South: Jefferson CityUse the straight lane.
19
Merge onto US 63
27 mi·29 min·US 63
20
Take the exit onto US 63
1.5 mi·2 min·US 63
Toward US 54 West, US 63 South: Jefferson City
21
Take the exit onto US 63
217 ft·4 sec·US 63
Toward US 63 South, US 50
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 63
0.1 mi·16 sec·US 63
Toward US 63 South, US 50
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 63
0.1 mi·15 sec·US 63
Toward US 63 South, US 50 EastUse the slight left lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 63
12 mi·14 min·US 63
25
Keep slight right at fork onto US 63
50 mi·1 hr 3 min·US 63
Toward US 63 South: RollaUse the straight lane.
26
Turn left onto North Elm Street
0.3 mi·57 sec·North Elm Street
27
At end of road, turn right onto West 14th Street
147 ft·10 sec·West 14th Street
28
Turn left onto North Elm Street
0.3 mi·47 sec·North Elm Street
29
Turn right onto MO BB
203 ft·6 sec·West 10th Street
30
Arrive at destination
MO BB
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 14m estimated drive time, leaving Kansas City in the morning will get you to Rolla well before evening. The route has only one suggested stop, so you can decide whether to push through or take a break earlier. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $39. The longest stretch without a major break is 90.5 miles on US 63, so plan accordingly if you prefer more frequent stops. This is a flexible, single-day trip, so you can adjust your departure time as needed.
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 109.3 miles from Kansas City, MO, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.5 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 48 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.3 miles or 2h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rolla, 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 218.6 miles and 4h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 US 63 for about 90.5 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 126.7 and 168.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
126.7 mi into trip|~2h 20m in
Take the exit toward US 63: Jefferson City, Moberly
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 128A
Toward US 63: Jefferson City, Moberly
7
126.9 mi into trip|~2h 20m in|US 63 Conn
Merge onto US 63 Conn
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
156.1 mi into trip|~2h 53m in|US 63
Keep slight left at fork onto US 63 toward US 63 South, US 50
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 63 South, US 50
9
156.2 mi into trip|~2h 53m in|US 63
Keep slight left at fork onto US 63 toward US 63 South, US 50 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 63 South, US 50 East
7
168.4 mi into trip|~3h 8m in|US 63
Keep slight right at fork onto US 63 toward US 63 South: Rolla
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 63 South: Rolla
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.34 one way
$72.69 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$39.59
$79.18
premium
$5.18
$44.61
$89.21
diesel
$5.35
$46.04
$92.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.6
0
$22.95
$10.49
Efficient EV
54.7
0
$19.13
$8.74
EV Truck/SUV
87.4
1
$30.60
$13.99
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Kansas City, MO
Evening
in Kansas City on Wednesday
Local time
5:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SE 5 mph62% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued May 31 at 8:59PM CDT until June 1 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued May 31 at 8:57PM CDT until June 1 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
Destination
Rolla, MO
Evening
in Rolla on Wednesday
Local time
5:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 7 mph89% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued May 31 at 8:59PM CDT until June 1 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued May 31 at 8:57PM CDT until June 1 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill MO
69°F
Pierpont, MO
109 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 14m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 41% of this 218.6-mile route is on highways. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway at 90.5 miles on US 63. The profile is mixed highway and surface roads, meaning you'll transition from faster-paced driving to more local road conditions. Expect to see varying levels of development and traffic as you move between these road types.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.5 mi on US 63.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 126.7 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 218.6 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: at 126.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.9 miles (US 63 Conn): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 156.1 miles (US 63): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,119 ft584 ft
Total Climb
1,073 ft
Total Descent
851 ft
Highest Point
1,119 ft
~218.6 mi in
Elevation Range
535 ft
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 Rolla, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Moberly along the way.
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.
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
Rolla is a city in the Central Missouri region of Missouri on historic Route 66. It is home to Missouri University of Science and Technology (Formerly University of Missouri at Rolla) campus.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 14m. Total distance: 218.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 90.5 miles on US 63. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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 Rolla, 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. There are 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 126.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.9 miles (US 63 Conn): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 156.1 miles (US 63): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Rolla, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
