Embarking on a road trip from Poplar Bluff, MO, to Kansas City, MO, covers 356.1 miles and is estimated to take about 7 hours and 2 minutes of driving time. This drive is primarily a highway-focused experience, with 97% of the route utilizing major roads like US 60 and MO 7. Given its duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day, though you might consider an overnight stop if you prefer a more relaxed pace. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $56. You'll be traveling within the Midwest region for the entirety of this route, experiencing a consistent Midwestern landscape.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
178.1 miles from Poplar Bluff, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 60
176.6 mi
3h 28m
North Kansas Expressway
87.2 mi
1h 42m
MO 7
73.9 mi
1h 24m
Schoolcraft Freeway
8.1 mi
10m
Payne Stewart Highway
4.1 mi
5m
North Westwood Boulevard
2.9 mi
4m
West Pine Street
0.8 mi
1m
US 67
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 60
— 176.6 mi, about 3h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Poplar Bluff, MO and Kansas City, MO.
1
Start on US 60 Business
0.8 mi·1 min·West Pine Street
2
Turn right onto US 60 Business; US 67 Business
1.3 mi·2 min·North Westwood Boulevard
3
Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business
0.3 mi·25 sec·State Street
4
Continue on US 60 Business; US 67 Business
1.6 mi·2 min·North Westwood Boulevard
5
Continue on US 67; US 60 Business
0.4 mi·37 sec·US 67; US 60 Business
6
Continue on US 60; US 67
4.0 mi·4 min·US 60; US 67
7
Take the exit onto US 60
173 mi·3 hr 23 min·US 60
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward US 65 North: Sedalia
9
Merge onto US 65
8.1 mi·10 min·Schoolcraft Freeway
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 44 West: Joplin
11
Merge onto I 44
4.1 mi·5 min·Payne Stewart Highway
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 77Toward MO 13: Bolivar
13
Keep slight left at fork
150 ft·3 sec
Exit 77Toward MO 13: Bolivar
14
Keep slight right at fork
209 ft·7 sec
Exit 77Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
15
Merge onto MO 13
87 mi·1 hr 42 min·North Kansas Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Continue on MO 7
36 mi·39 min·MO 7
17
Take the exit onto MO 7
38 mi·45 min·MO 7
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·25 sec
Toward 11th Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto East 11th Street
0.3 mi·1 min·East 11th Street
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left onto Oak Street
461 ft·15 sec·Oak Street
21
Arrive at destination
Oak Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 7-hour drive from Poplar Bluff to Kansas City, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. With only two recommended stops, you can be strategic about where you refuel and stretch your legs. The longest stretch without a significant road change is over 176 miles on US 60, so plan your fuel and break accordingly before hitting that segment. This drive is manageable in one day, but if you find yourself wanting to break it up, the flexibility of a single-day trip means you can adjust on the fly.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 178.1 miles from Poplar Bluff, MO, or about 3h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 176.6 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 78 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.1 miles or 3h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 51m
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 Poplar Bluff, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Poplar Bluff, MO
This is one driving day of about 356.1 miles and 7h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Poplar Bluff, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 60 for about 176.6 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 194.2 and 355.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
194.2 mi into trip|~3h 51m in
Take the exit toward MO 13: Bolivar
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 77
Toward MO 13: Bolivar
7
194.3 mi into trip|~3h 52m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MO 13: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 77
Toward MO 13: Bolivar
7
194.3 mi into trip|~3h 52m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 77
Toward MO 13 North: Bolivar
7
317.5 mi into trip|~6h 14m 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
355.4 mi into trip|~7h 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.67 one way
$111.34 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$61.13
$122.25
premium
$4.89
$68.53
$137.06
diesel
$5.61
$78.62
$157.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.8
1
$37.39
$17.09
Efficient EV
89
1
$31.16
$14.24
EV Truck/SUV
142.4
1
$49.85
$22.79
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Poplar Bluff, MO
Evening
in Poplar Bluff on Saturday
Local time
8:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kansas City, MO
Evening
in Kansas City on Saturday
Local time
8:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Sunny
SSW 3 to 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
73°F
Billings, MO
178 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
7h 2m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
11 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 184.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a predominantly highway-focused drive, making it efficient for covering distance. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on well-maintained roads, with US 60 serving as the backbone for a significant portion of the journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 176.6 miles on US 60. While the highway share is high at 97%, the route incorporates US 60 and MO 7, offering a consistent driving experience without excessive city traffic or complex interchanges for most of the trip.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 176.6 mi on US 60.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 60 and North Kansas Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 194.2 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 13 significant decision points across 356.1 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 194.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 194.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 194.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 2m. Total distance: 356.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 176.6 miles on US 60. 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 194.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 194.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 194.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kansas City, MO before the return drive.
