Saint Clair, MO to Kansas City, MO is 230 miles and takes about 4h 32m via I 70 and MO 47, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a solid, highway-focused drive that keeps you moving across the Midwest. You'll spend most of your time on interstates, making it a straightforward trip if you're looking for efficiency. With a recommended one-day drive time and a manageable fuel cost, this route is ideal for a quick transit or a day trip between these two Missouri cities. Consider this route if your priority is reaching your destination without many detours.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
115 miles from Saint Clair, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
176.4 mi
3h 14m
MO 47
36.6 mi
54m
George Brett Super Highway
6.8 mi
9m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
5.6 mi
6m
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi
2m
South Main Street
1.5 mi
3m
US 50
0.5 mi
<1m
East 13th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 176.4 mi, about 3h 14m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 42 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,843 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,331
Quietest
2 AM
~261 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.9×
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 Saint Clair, MO and Kansas City, MO.
Exit 2LToward I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South: Topeka, WichitaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 2PToward 13th Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
13
Continue on East 13th Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·East 13th Street
14
Turn right onto Oak Street
454 ft·13 sec·Oak Street
15
Arrive at destination
Oak Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 32m estimated drive time, starting your journey in the morning from Saint Clair allows ample time to reach Kansas City before evening. While the drive is manageable in one day, a single recommended stop suggests planning your break strategically. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 176.4-mile stretch on I 70, as services can be spaced out. The $36 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's wise to factor in a buffer. This route is straightforward, so focus on maintaining a steady pace and enjoying the efficient transit.
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 115 miles from Saint Clair, MO, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 176.4 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 51 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115 miles or 2h 23m 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 44m
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 Saint Clair, 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 Saint Clair, MO
This is one driving day of about 230 miles and 4h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Saint Clair, 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 I 70 for about 176.4 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 7 and 229.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
7 mi into trip|~10m in|US 50; MO 47
At end of road, turn left onto US 50; MO 47
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
7.4 mi into trip|~11m in|MO 47
Turn right onto MO 47
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
38.5 mi into trip|~59m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia, Jonesburg
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia, Jonesbu...
9
229.3 mi into trip|~4h 31m 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
229.5 mi into trip|~4h 31m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.97 one way
$67.93 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$37.50
$74.99
premium
$4.72
$42.70
$85.41
diesel
$4.80
$43.43
$86.86
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69
0
$24.15
$11.04
Efficient EV
57.5
0
$20.13
$9.20
EV Truck/SUV
92
1
$32.20
$14.72
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Saint Clair, MO
Late night
in Saint Clair on Tuesday
Local time
4:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Clear then Patchy Fog
SW 2 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Kansas City, MO
Late night
in Kansas City on Tuesday
Local time
4:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
ESE 1 mph2% chanceLive 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
3 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
4h 32m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 primarily a highway-focused drive, with 93% of the journey taking place on major roadways like I 70 and the George Brett Super Highway. You'll experience long stretches of efficient travel, including one uninterrupted segment of 176.4 miles on I 70. While the majority of the drive is on high-speed roads, there's a brief section on MO 47 that offers a slight variation before rejoining the interstate. Expect a consistent driving experience that prioritizes covering distance quickly.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 176.4 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and MO 47. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 7 miles in near US 50; MO 47.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 32m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 7 miles (US 50; MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles (MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 38.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
897 ft485 ft
Total Climb
851 ft
Total Descent
729 ft
Highest Point
897 ft
~230 mi in
Elevation Range
412 ft
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 Saint Clair, MO to Kansas City, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Jonesburg along the way.
Jonesburg
38.5 mi in|~59m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
St. Louis Area is the region around St. Louis, Missouri. It borders St. Louis Metro East (Illinois) along the Mississippi River. Within Missouri, it borders Southeast Missouri, Central Missouri, and Northeast Missouri.
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 176.4 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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: at 7 miles (US 50; MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles (MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 38.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Kansas City, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
