How far is Carterville, MO from Kansas City, MO?
The driving distance from Carterville, MO to Kansas City, MO is about 149.6 miles (240.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135 miles (217.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 20m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Missouri
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carterville and Kansas City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carterville and Kansas City.
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1
Start on West Main Street
1 km · 1 min · West Main Street
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2
Continue straight
885 ft · 18 sec
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3
Take the ramp left toward I 49 Business, MO 171 South: Carthage
1215 ft · 15 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
5.9 mi · 6 min · Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
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5
Continue on West Central Avenue
138 m · 16 sec · West Central Avenue
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6
Turn left onto I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City
1109 ft · 14 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
3.2 mi · 3 min · George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
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8
Continue on Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
10.5 mi · 11 min · Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
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9
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
127.6 mi · 2 hr 21 min · Purple Heart Trail
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10
Take the exit slight right toward 11th Street, Downtown
1637 ft · 26 sec
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11
Turn straight onto East 11th Street
1731 ft · 1 min · East 11th Street
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12
Turn left onto Oak Street
141 m · 15 sec · Oak Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Oak Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carterville and Kansas City.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Purple Heart Trail
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
128 mi · 02h 21m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Carterville and Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Kansas City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carterville to Kansas City?
The road trip is about 149.6 miles (240.7 km) and usually takes 02h 20m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Rich Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.7 miles from Carterville and 74.9 miles from Kansas City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135 miles (217.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:48 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.91 one way or $39.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Carterville and Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Kansas City.
Stop Ideas Near Rich Hill
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Rich Hill.
Lee's Summit
Warrensburg
Independence
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carterville and Kansas City. Straight-line distance: 134.97 mi (217.21 km).
#1 Carterville
City in Jasper County, Missouri, United States of America
| Population | 1,965 |
| Coordinates | 37.1492300, -94.4430000 |
| Altitude | 300 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Kansas City
The third most populous city in Missouri and the center of the Kansas City metropolitan area.
| Population | 495,327 |
| Coordinates | 39.0997300, -94.5785700 |
| Altitude | 274 |
| Country | United States |
End: Oak Street (-94.578571, 39.099732)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 241 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.91 | $39.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $22.46 | $44.91 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $24.57 | $49.15 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $28.01 | $56.01 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Missouri · Apr 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.