How far is Center, MO from Kansas City, MO?
The driving distance from Center, MO to Kansas City, MO is about 201.2 miles (323.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 165.5 miles (266.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 14m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Cooper County, Missouri, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Center and Kansas City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Center and Kansas City.
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1
Start on East Lamb Street
31 m · 7 sec · East Lamb Street
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2
Turn right onto South Public Street
94 m · 16 sec · South Public Street
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3
Turn sharp left
18.6 mi · 21 min
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
38 m · 2 sec
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5
Exit the roundabout
8.1 mi · 11 min
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Scott's Corner
19 m · 1 sec
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7
Exit the rotary
10.4 mi · 14 min
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8
Turn left onto US 54 West: Jefferson City
18.1 mi · 20 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
1253 ft · 15 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
18.6 mi · 24 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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11
Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
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12
Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
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13
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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14
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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15
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
52.5 mi · 57 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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16
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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17
Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
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18
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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19
Continue on George Brett Super Highway
6.8 mi · 9 min · George Brett Super Highway
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20
Keep slight left to continue on I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South: Topeka, Wichita
1120 ft · 21 sec
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21
Take the exit slight right toward 13th Street, Downtown
905 ft · 24 sec
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22
Continue on East 13th Street
1313 ft · 35 sec · East 13th Street
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23
Turn right onto Oak Street
139 m · 13 sec · Oak Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Oak Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Center and Kansas City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 00h 58m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Center and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Kansas City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Center to Kansas City?
The road trip is about 201.2 miles (323.8 km) and usually takes 03h 14m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Boonville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 100.5 miles from Center and 100.7 miles from Kansas City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 165.5 miles (266.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:32 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.77 one way or $53.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Center and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Kansas City.
Stop Ideas Near Boonville
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 Boonville.
Sedalia
Jefferson City
Warrensburg
Hermann
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Center and Kansas City. Straight-line distance: 165.47 mi (266.3 km).
#1 Center
City in Ralls County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 505 |
| Coordinates | 39.5081000, -91.5287700 |
| Altitude | 218 |
| 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: 324 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.77 | $53.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $30.20 | $60.39 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $33.04 | $66.09 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.66 | $75.32 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.