Origin
Nixa, MO
Night in Nixa on Saturday
Local time
11:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Nixa, 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 37m
Distance
177.8 mi
286 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 25m
★
6 AM
3h 37m
8 AM
4h 2m
10 AM
3h 46m
12 PM
3h 43m
3 PM
3h 47m
5 PM
4h 1m
8 PM
3h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Nixa, MO
Valeria Boltneva
Kansas City, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 177.8-mile drive from Nixa, MO to Kansas City, MO is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can comfortably be completed in about 3 hours and 37 minutes. Given its manageable length and duration, it's an ideal candidate for a single-day journey, eliminating the need for an overnight stop. With an estimated fuel cost of $28, it's an economical option for exploring the Midwest. The route primarily utilizes North Kansas Expressway and MO-7, offering a consistent driving experience for most of the way. You'll find this drive efficient for getting from point A to point B within Missouri.
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
88.9 miles from Nixa, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Kansas Expressway | 87.3 mi | 1h 43m |
| MO 7 | 73.9 mi | 1h 24m |
| MO 13 | 7.8 mi | 14m |
| North Massey Boulevard | 6.5 mi | 9m |
| James River Freeway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East Mount Vernon Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| East 11th Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| US 160 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
North Kansas Expressway
— 87.3 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nixa, MO and Kansas City, MO.
1
Start on this road
59 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto MO 14
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Mount Vernon Street
3
Turn right onto US 160; MO 13
6.5 mi
·
9 min
·
North Massey Boulevard
4
Turn left onto US 160; MO 13
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
US 160; MO 13
Toward US 60 West, US 160 West, MO 13 North: Republic
5
Merge onto US 60; US 160; MO 13
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
James River Freeway
6
Take the exit onto MO 13
7.8 mi
·
14 min
·
MO 13
Toward MO 13 North
7
Continue on MO 13
87 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
North Kansas Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Continue on MO 7
36 mi
·
39 min
·
MO 7
9
Take the exit onto MO 7
38 mi
·
45 min
·
MO 7
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
Toward 11th Street, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn straight onto East 11th Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East 11th Street
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left onto Oak Street
461 ft
·
15 sec
·
Oak Street
13
Arrive at destination
Oak Street
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 37-minute drive, departing in the morning will allow you to arrive in Kansas City with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey, but consider a break around the halfway point or at a convenient exit along MO-7. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major town is substantial. The estimated fuel cost of $28 is a good budget to keep in mind, and it's always wise to top off before leaving Nixa to ensure a smooth trip. Since this is a single-day drive, you won't need to worry about booking accommodations.
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 88.9 miles from Nixa, MO, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.3 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 39 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.9 miles or 1h 53m 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 57m
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 Nixa, 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 Nixa, MO
This is one driving day of about 177.8 miles and 3h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Nixa, 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 North Kansas Expressway for about 87.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 88.9 miles from Nixa, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North Kansas Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 6.9 and 177.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
6.9 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
US 160; MO 13
Turn left onto US 160; MO 13 toward US 60 West, US 160 West, MO 13 North: Republic
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 60 West, US 160 West, MO 13 North: Re...
4
8.1 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
MO 13
Take the exit onto MO 13 toward MO 13 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward MO 13 North
7
139.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m in
|
MO 7
Take the exit onto MO 7 toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kan...
7
177.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 35m in
Take the exit toward 11th 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.
Toward 11th Street, Downtown
4
177.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 36m in
|
Oak Street
Turn left onto Oak Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.80 one way
$55.59 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.52 | $61.04 |
| premium | $4.89 | $34.22 | $68.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.26 | $78.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.3 | 0 | $18.67 | $8.53 |
| Efficient EV | 44.5 | 0 | $15.56 | $7.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.1 | 0 | $24.89 | $11.38 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Destination
Kansas City, MO
Night in Kansas City on Saturday
Local time
11:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
80°F
Warsaw, MO
89 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
3h 37m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and where the first Union general was killed in action. The costly Southern victory on August 10, 1861, focuse...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 6.1
Caution: BE AWARE OF HIGH-WATER DANGER
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 96% of the journey taking place on main roads. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 87.3 miles on North Kansas Expressway, providing a consistent pace. While the profile is largely highway, the incorporation of MO-13 suggests some variation as you progress towards Kansas City. This drive is designed for making good time, with minimal interruptions and a focus on efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. It's the kind of road that allows you to settle in and cover ground.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.3 mi on North Kansas Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Kansas Expressway and MO 7. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 6.9 miles in near US 160; MO 13.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 37m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.9 miles (US 160; MO 13): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.1 miles (MO 13): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 139.1 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 37m. Total distance: 177.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.3 miles on North Kansas Expressway. 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.9 miles (US 160; MO 13): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.1 miles (MO 13): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 139.1 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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