Kansas City, MO to Wentzville, MO is 207.9 miles and takes about 3h 57m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Missouri, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. The route primarily uses surface roads, offering a more local feel than a pure interstate cruise. It's a straightforward, one-day drive that should be manageable for most travelers looking to get from one point to another without extensive highway time.
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
104 miles from Kansas City, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
134.4 mi
2h 32m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi
58m
George Brett Super Highway
6.9 mi
9m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
5.6 mi
6m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.9 mi
2m
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi
2m
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi
1m
South Church Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 134.4 mi, about 2h 32m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 17 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,343 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,885
Quietest
2 AM
~293 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.4×
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 Wentzville, 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
1.9 mi·2 min·Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
15
Continue on I 70; US 40
80 mi·1 hr 34 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 209Toward MO Z
17
Turn left onto MO Z
424 ft·10 sec·South Church Street
18
Enter roundabout onto South Church Street
84 ft·3 sec·South Church Street
19
Continue on South Church Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·South Church Street
20
Turn right onto West 4th Street
442 ft·20 sec·West 4th Street
21
At end of road, turn left onto South Linn Avenue
0.1 mi·26 sec·South Linn Avenue
22
Turn right onto East Allen Street
40 ft·1 sec·East Allen Street
23
Arrive at destination
East Allen Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time under 4 hours, this trip is easily doable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the peak rush hour in Kansas City. You'll have one recommended stop along the way, which is ample time to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway to surface roads, as this is where most of the driving will occur. The estimated fuel cost of $32 is a good benchmark for budgeting.
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 104 miles from Kansas City, MO, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134.4 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 46 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104 miles or 1h 55m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wentzville, 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 207.9 miles and 3h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 134.4 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 207.8 — 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
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 East, US 40 East
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East
5
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway
Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
207.2 mi into trip|~3h 54m in
Take the exit toward MO Z
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 209
Toward MO Z
6
207.8 mi into trip|~3h 56m in|South Linn Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto South Linn Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.70 one way
$61.40 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$33.89
$67.79
premium
$4.72
$38.60
$77.20
diesel
$4.80
$39.26
$78.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.4
0
$21.83
$9.98
Efficient EV
52
0
$18.19
$8.32
EV Truck/SUV
83.2
1
$29.11
$13.31
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Kansas City, MO
Morning
in Kansas City on Sunday
Local time
6:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SSW 5 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 7:42PM CDT until July 18 at 8:30PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:39PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Wentzville, MO
Morning
in Wentzville on Sunday
Local time
6:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 3 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 7:42PM CDT until July 18 at 8:30PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:39PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
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
1 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
3h 57m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, meaning you'll spend minimal time on the highway. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway accounts for the longest stretch at 134.4 miles, but after that, you'll be navigating local roads. Expect frequent intersections and a more measured pace as you transition from highway cruising to surface street driving. The highway share is 0%, so be prepared for a significant amount of time on non-interstate roads.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 134.4 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East 12th Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 57m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.6 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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
The longest stretch is about 134.4 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 29 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.
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 0.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.6 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40 / George Brett Super Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Wentzville, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
