Trip from Mexico, MO to Kansas City, MO

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 6m

Distance

163.3 mi

263 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min

4 AM

2h 55m ★

6 AM

3h 6m

8 AM

3h 29m

10 AM

3h 14m

12 PM

3h 12m

3 PM

3h 15m

5 PM

3h 28m

8 PM

2h 59m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in and county seat of Audrain County, Missouri, United States

Mexico, 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

This 163.3-mile journey from Mexico, Missouri, to Kansas City, Missouri, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 6 minutes to complete. You'll primarily travel along the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, with a small portion on US 54. Given the relatively short duration and modest fuel cost of around $26, it's an ideal route for a single day's drive without the need for an overnight stop. The drive stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel throughout your travels.

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

81.7 miles from Mexico, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway	72.9 mi	1h 22m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway	54.4 mi	58m
US 54	13.4 mi	14m
George Brett Super Highway	6.8 mi	9m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway	5.6 mi	6m
South Clark Street	3.6 mi	5m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway	2 mi	2m
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway	1.8 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 72.9 mi, about 1h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on South Jefferson Street

167 ft · 8 sec · South Jefferson Street

Turn right onto High Street

0.1 mi · 34 sec · High Street

Turn left onto South Clark Street

3.6 mi · 5 min · South Clark Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 32 sec

Toward US 54 West: Jefferson City

Merge onto US 54

13 mi · 14 min · US 54

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 15 sec

Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia

Merge onto I 70; US 40

19 mi · 23 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

2.0 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.6 mi · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

54 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

52 mi · 56 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on I 70

2.7 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Continue on I 70

1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 70

2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Continue on I 70

6.8 mi · 9 min · George Brett Super Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Exit 2P Toward 13th Street, Downtown Use the slight right lane.

Continue on East 13th Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · East 13th Street

Turn right onto Oak Street

454 ft · 13 sec · Oak Street

Arrive at destination

Oak Street

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour drive, leaving in the morning allows ample time to reach your destination without feeling rushed, especially since only one planned stop is suggested. The estimated fuel cost of $26 is reasonable, but it's always wise to top off your tank before departing Mexico, MO. Keep an eye out for the transitions between the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and other local routes, as this is where the 'turn-heavy' nature of the drive becomes most apparent. Being flexible with your timing is an advantage on this route, allowing you to adjust for any unexpected delays.

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 81.7 miles from Mexico, MO, or about 1h 35m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.9 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 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 81.7 miles or 1h 35m 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 31m

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 Mexico, 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 Mexico, MO

This is one driving day of about 163.3 miles and 3h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Mexico, 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 72.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and county seat of Saline County, Missouri, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Marshall, MO

82 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

Columbia, MO

Fuel and coffee

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

Marshall, MO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 81.7 miles from Mexico, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.9 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Pokesan - Poke Bowls, Dumplings & More

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kansas City, Missouri

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18167016120

Visit website

Vietnam Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kansas City, Missouri

0.7 mi

Dott Boss

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Kansas City, Missouri

0.3 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Core Coffee & Eatery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kansas City, Missouri

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18162875027

Visit website

Pokesan - Poke Bowls, Dumplings & More

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18167016120

Visit website

Vietnam Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+18164724888

Visit website

Dott Boss

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 6:30 am–12 pm

+18162838000

Visit website

Asian Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18168943988

Visit website

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Independence, Missouri

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18167955520

Visit website

Black Garlic Restaurant & Rum Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 5–9 pm

+18162146939

Visit website

Chef Tito´s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

North Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 4–9 pm

+18168414700

Visit website

TAILLEUR RESTAURANT

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $50 to $10

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 5–9 pm

+18164427042

Visit website

Core Coffee & Eatery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Kansas City, Missouri

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18162875027

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Columbia, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Nelson, Missouri

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Money Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

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 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 163.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | High Street

Turn right onto High Street

Navigation decision point

17.4 mi into trip | ~21m in

Take the exit toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia

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

Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia

162.6 mi into trip | ~3h 4m 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:...

162.8 mi into trip | ~3h 5m 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

163.2 mi into trip | ~3h 5m in | Oak Street

Turn right onto Oak Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.53 one way

$51.06 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$28.03	$56.06
premium	$4.89	$31.43	$62.85
diesel	$5.61	$36.05	$72.11

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 57.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	49	$17.15	$7.84
Efficient EV	40.8	$14.29	$6.53
EV Truck/SUV	65.3	$22.86	$10.45

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 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 Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Mexico, MO

Late night in Mexico on Tuesday

Local time

4:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kansas City, MO

Late night in Kansas City on Tuesday

Local time

4:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

83°F

Sunny

SSW 3 to 10 mph 2% chance Live forecast

65°F

Marshall, MO

82 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

17 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 6m 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 route with a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning it's not a straightforward interstate cruise. While 8% of the journey is on highways, much of it involves navigating local roads and junctions. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 72.9 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, offering a good segment of uninterrupted travel before you encounter more turns. This mix means you'll be actively engaged with the road, experiencing varied driving conditions as you progress toward Kansas City.

Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 72.9 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near High Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 163.3 miles you will encounter 9 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: near the start (High Street): Navigation decision point; at 17.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.6 miles (I 670; I 70 Alt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Starting in Mexico, MO

Full guide →

Mexico is a city in Audrain County, Missouri, United States. The population was 11,320 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Audrain CountyGR6. The Mexico Micropolitan Statistical Area consists of Audrain County. Citizens of Mexico, Missouri are known as "Mexicoans" and not "Mexicans".

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 6m. Total distance: 163.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (8%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 72.9 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.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 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.

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

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Trip from Mexico, MO to Kansas City, MO

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Pokesan - Poke Bowls, Dumplings & More

Core Coffee & Eatery

Pokesan - Poke Bowls, Dumplings & More

Vietnam Cafe

Dott Boss

Asian Cafe

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

Black Garlic Restaurant & Rum Bar

Chef Tito´s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

TAILLEUR RESTAURANT

Core Coffee & Eatery

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Destination Charger

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Money Museum

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Mexico, MO

Kansas City, MO

Same local time

17 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 6m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Starting in Mexico, MO

Arriving in Kansas City, MO

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Kansas City, MO

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