Kansas City, MO to Sullivan, MO is 241.4 miles and takes about 4h 47m via U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway and Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest region, primarily in Missouri, and is a good option if you're looking for a relatively straightforward trip. Most of the route follows major highways, making for efficient travel. With just one recommended stop and a duration under five hours, this is an easy 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
120.7 miles from Kansas City, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
54.3 mi
58m
West Main Street
44.8 mi
51m
US 63
40.9 mi
46m
MO 185
18.3 mi
27m
George Brett Super Highway
6.9 mi
9m
US 50
5.9 mi
6m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
5.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
— 54.4 mi, about 58m
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 Sullivan, 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 left at fork onto US 50
5.9 mi·6 min·US 50
Toward US 50 East: Saint Louis
26
Turn left onto Wolf Ridge Trail
0.4 mi·1 min·Wolf Ridge Trail
27
At end of road, turn right onto Loose Creek Highway
1.0 mi·2 min·Loose Creek Highway
28
Continue on County Route 604
0.6 mi·2 min·County Route 604
29
Turn left onto County Route 605
1.5 mi·5 min·County Route 605
30
Turn left onto MO U
0.3 mi·36 sec·MO U
31
Continue on US 50
45 mi·50 min·West Main Street
32
Turn right onto MO 185
18 mi·27 min·MO 185
33
At end of road, turn left onto West Main Street
376 ft·12 sec·West Main Street
34
Turn right onto Hughes Ford Road
117 ft·4 sec·Hughes Ford Road
35
Turn left onto West Washington Street
337 ft·10 sec·West Washington Street
36
Turn right
55 ft·4 sec
37
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this drive can be completed in under five hours, leaving in the morning gives you plenty of flexibility. Aim to depart by mid-morning to account for potential traffic around Kansas City. With only one recommended stop, you can decide to push through or take a break whenever you feel the need. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition from highway to surface roads, as services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost is around $37, so plan accordingly.
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 120.7 miles from Kansas City, MO, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.4 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 53 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.7 miles or 2h 13m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sullivan, 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 241.4 miles and 4h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway for about 54.4 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 126.7 and 156.2 — 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.
6
127 mi into trip|~2h 20m in
Take the exit toward US 63 South: Jefferson City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 63 South: Jefferson City
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.14 one way
$80.27 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$43.72
$87.44
premium
$5.18
$49.26
$98.52
diesel
$5.35
$50.85
$101.69
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: 84.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.4
0
$25.35
$11.59
Efficient EV
60.4
0
$21.12
$9.66
EV Truck/SUV
96.6
1
$33.80
$15.45
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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 May 9, 2026
Origin
Kansas City, MO
Afternoon
in Kansas City on Wednesday
Local time
2:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued May 9 at 2:01AM CDT until May 9 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued May 9 at 2:01AM CDT until May 9 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Sullivan, MO
Afternoon
in Sullivan on Wednesday
Local time
2:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°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
32 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
4h 47m 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?
You'll spend about 28% of this 241.4-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 54.4 miles on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. After the highway portions, the route transitions to surface roads like West Main Street. Expect a significant amount of driving on surface roads, which often means navigating local traffic and more frequent intersections.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.4 mi on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 126.7 miles in.
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 25 significant decision points across 241.4 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 127 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
982 ft558 ft
Total Climb
848 ft
Total Descent
763 ft
Highest Point
982 ft
~241.4 mi in
Elevation Range
424 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 Sullivan, 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
St. Louis Area is the region around St. Louis, Missouri. It borders St. Louis Metro East (Illinois) along the Mississippi River. Within Missouri, it borders Southeast Missouri, Central Missouri, and Northeast Missouri.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 47m. Total distance: 241.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.4 miles on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 Sullivan, 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 17 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 127 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Sullivan, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
