Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Lake Ozark, MO to Kansas City, MO

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 20m

Distance

161.4 mi

260 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Fair

4 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 8m ★
6 AM
3h 20m
8 AM
3h 44m
10 AM
3h 29m
12 PM
3h 26m
3 PM
3h 30m
5 PM
3h 43m
8 PM
3h 13m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in Camden and Miller counties in Missouri, United States

Lake Ozark, MO

Wikimedia Commons

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

Trip Overview

For those traveling between Lake Ozark and Kansas City, this 161.4-mile journey is a straightforward trek across the Missouri Midwest. Clocking in at approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes, the trip is perfectly suited as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $25 in fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for a weekend getaway or a quick business trip. By utilizing a combination of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, US 50, and US 65, you get a solid mix of travel styles. Ultimately, this drive is about efficiency, allowing you to bridge the gap between these two Missouri hubs without unnecessary complexity.

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

80.7 miles from Lake Ozark, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 52.5 mi 56m
US 50 24.3 mi 32m
US 65 16.1 mi 18m
West 4th Street 15 mi 19m
MO 5 14.5 mi 18m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway 8.8 mi 9m
US 54 7.3 mi 7m
George Brett Super Highway 6.8 mi 9m
Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 52.5 mi, about 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lake Ozark, MO and Kansas City, MO.

1

Start on US 54 Business

1.6 mi · 4 min · Bagnell Dam Boulevard
2

Continue on Willmore Lane

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Willmore Lane
3

Enter roundabout

229 ft · 4 sec
4

Continue

0.1 mi · 18 sec
5

Merge onto US 54

7.3 mi · 7 min · US 54
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward US 54 Business, MO 52: Eldon, Tuscumbia
7

Turn left onto US 54 Bus; MO 52

2.4 mi · 3 min · US 54 Bus; MO 52
8

Turn left onto West 17th Street

0.1 mi · 14 sec · West 17th Street
9

Continue on South Grand Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Grand Avenue
10

Turn left onto MO 52

15 mi · 19 min · West 4th Street
11

Continue on MO 5

14 mi · 18 min · MO 5
12

Turn left onto US 50; MO 5

16 mi · 21 min · US 50; MO 5
13

Continue on US 50; MO 135

8.0 mi · 11 min · US 50; MO 135
14

Turn right onto South Engineer Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Engineer Avenue
15

Turn left onto West Saline Street

0.3 mi · 48 sec · West Saline Street
16

Continue on East Pettis Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Pettis Street
17

Turn right onto MO 765

1.1 mi · 2 min · North Ohio Avenue
18

Continue on MO 765

0.1 mi · 11 sec · MO 765
Toward US 65 North: Marshall
19

Merge onto US 65

16 mi · 18 min · US 65
20

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec
Toward I 70 West: Kansas City
21

Merge onto I 70; US 40

8.8 mi · 9 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
22

Continue on I 70; US 40

52 mi · 56 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
23

Continue on I 70

2.7 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
24

Continue on I 70

1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Continue on I 70

2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
26

Continue on I 70

6.8 mi · 9 min · George Brett Super Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Keep slight left at fork onto I 670; I 70 Alt

0.2 mi · 21 sec · I 670; I 70 Alt
Exit 2L Toward I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South: Topeka, Wichita Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Exit 2P Toward 13th Street, Downtown Use the slight right lane.
29

Continue on East 13th Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · East 13th Street
30

Turn right onto Oak Street

454 ft · 13 sec · Oak Street
31

Arrive at destination

Oak Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 3 hour and 20 minute transit, aim to leave during off-peak hours to ensure a smoother transition between major roads. Since the route includes one recommended stop, use that time to refuel or stretch your legs, keeping in mind the $25 estimated fuel cost for your budget. Because the trip is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time to match your personal schedule. Pay close attention to your speed as you transition between the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and US 50, as road conditions can change quickly. Planning for that single stop will keep you refreshed and ready for your arrival in Kansas City.

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 80.7 miles from Lake Ozark, MO, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.5 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 36 miles or 49m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 80.7 miles or 1h 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 2h 45m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kansas City, MO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lake Ozark, 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 Lake Ozark, MO

This is one driving day of about 161.4 miles and 3h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Lake Ozark, 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 52.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Sedalia, MO, MO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Sedalia, MO

81 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

Tipton, MO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sedalia, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 80.7 miles from Lake Ozark, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Pokesan - Poke Bowls, Dumplings & More

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kansas City, Missouri

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 161.4

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18167016120

Visit website

Dott Boss

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Kansas City, Missouri

0.3 mi

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Independence, Missouri

1.9 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Core Coffee & Eatery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kansas City, Missouri

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 161.4

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18162875027

Visit website

Pokesan - Poke Bowls, Dumplings & More

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 161.4

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18167016120

Visit website

Dott Boss

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 161.4

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 6:30 am–12 pm

+18162838000

Visit website

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 149.9

Independence, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18167955520

Visit website

Black Garlic Restaurant & Rum Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately mile 161.4

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 5–9 pm

+18162146939

Visit website

Chef Tito´s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 161.4

North Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 4–9 pm

+18168414700

Visit website

TAILLEUR RESTAURANT

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $50 to $10 mile 161.4

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 5–9 pm

+18164427042

Visit website

Chappell's Restaurant & Sports Museum

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 161.4

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18164210002

Visit website

Wolcano Teppanyaki

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 161.4

North Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18168281200

Visit website

Core Coffee & Eatery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 161.4

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18162875027

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Lake Ozark, Missouri

+15733654550

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 115.3

Higginsville, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16602071324

Visit website

Francis Energy Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 69.2

Sedalia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18004891588

Visit website

EVre Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour

Osage Beach, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Money Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 161.4

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 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 161.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
1.7 mi into trip | ~4m in

Enter roundabout

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
9.3 mi into trip | ~13m in

Take the exit toward US 54 Business, MO 52: Eldon, Tuscumbia

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 54 Business, MO 52: Eldon, Tuscumbia
9
160.7 mi into trip | ~3h 18m in | I 670; I 70 Alt

Keep slight left at fork onto I 670; I 70 Alt toward I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South: Topeka, Wichita

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 2L Toward I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South:...
9
160.9 mi into trip | ~3h 19m in

Take the exit toward 13th Street, Downtown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 2P Toward 13th Street, Downtown
5
161.3 mi into trip | ~3h 20m in | Oak Street

Turn right onto Oak Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.23 one way

$50.47 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $27.70 $55.41
premium $4.89 $31.06 $62.12
diesel $5.61 $35.64 $71.27

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 56.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 48.4 0 $16.95 $7.75
Efficient EV 40.4 0 $14.12 $6.46
EV Truck/SUV 64.6 0 $22.60 $10.33

Gas CO2

56 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (66% 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 Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Lake Ozark, MO

Late night in Lake Ozark on Sunday

Local time

5:05 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kansas City, MO

Late night in Kansas City on Sunday

Local time

5:05 AM

CDT

Current temp

83°F

Sunny

SSW 3 to 10 mph 2% 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

21 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

3h 20m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a mixed driving experience that transitions between different road types throughout your 161.4-mile trip. With a highway share of 40%, you will navigate a blend of high-speed stretches and local thoroughfares, keeping the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind. Your longest uninterrupted segment occurs on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, where you will cover 52.5 miles of consistent road. This variation in terrain requires you to stay alert as the route shifts from major highway corridors to secondary state routes. It is a practical, functional drive that rewards you with a steady pace until you reach your destination.

40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.5 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 161.4 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 9.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 160.7 miles (I 670; I 70 Alt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Lake Ozark, MO to Kansas City, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Tuscumbia along the way.

Tuscumbia

9.3 mi in | ~13m

About the Cities

Arriving in Kansas City, MO

Full guide →

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.

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 3h 20m. Total distance: 161.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 52.5 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. 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 Kansas City, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 9.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 160.7 miles (I 670; I 70 Alt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Kansas City, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Kansas City, MO

Caruthersville, MO 428.9 mi · 8h 4m Kennett, MO 404.3 mi · 8h 13m East Prairie, MO 397.4 mi · 7h 29m Malden, MO 388.6 mi · 7h 53m

More from Lake Ozark, MO

Saint Joseph, MO 211.3 mi · 4h 22m St. Louis, MO 173.5 mi · 3h 24m Lee's Summit, MO 134.1 mi · 2h 53m

More trips to Kansas City, MO

Lilbourn, MO 402.3 mi Poplar Bluff, MO 356.1 mi Flat River, MO 299.2 mi Ironton, MO 295.7 mi Bonne Terre, MO 293.3 mi West Plains, MO 275.8 mi
Escape planner: Lake Ozark, MO Scenic drives in MO

Explore more options from Lake Ozark, MO or browse trips ending in Kansas City, MO.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MO road trips.