How far is Esther, MO from Kansas City, MO?
The driving distance from Esther, MO to Kansas City, MO is about 299.1 miles (481.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 236.9 miles (381.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 17m 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 04h 38m.
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.
Human settlement in Callaway County, Missouri, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Esther and Kansas City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Esther and Kansas City.
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1
Start on Jefferson Street
760 ft · 23 sec · Jefferson Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Saint Joe Drive
1.4 mi · 2 min · Saint Joe Drive
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3
Continue on South State Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South State Street
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4
Turn right
700 ft · 19 sec
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5
Take the ramp left toward US 67 North: Saint Louis
877 ft · 22 sec
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6
Merge slight left
26.3 mi · 30 min
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7
Keep slight right
1750 ft · 27 sec
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8
Take the exit straight toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
1735 ft · 49 sec
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9
Merge slight left
20.5 mi · 22 min
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10
Continue on Rosa Parks Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Rosa Parks Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
1279 ft · 27 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 270 West: Kansas City
118 m · 8 sec
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13
Continue on I 270 West
1.2 km · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left
11.5 mi · 14 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
705 ft · 17 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
2009 ft · 49 sec
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17
Continue on I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
674 ft · 10 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
25.4 mi · 31 min · Avenue of the Saints
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19
Take the exit slight left toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City
3047 ft · 1 min
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20
Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
80.7 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
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21
Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
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22
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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23
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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24
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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25
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
52.5 mi · 57 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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26
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
-
27
Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
-
28
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
-
29
Continue on George Brett Super Highway
6.8 mi · 9 min · George Brett Super Highway
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30
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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31
Take the exit slight right toward 13th Street, Downtown
905 ft · 24 sec
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32
Continue on East 13th Street
1313 ft · 35 sec · East 13th Street
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33
Turn right onto Oak Street
139 m · 13 sec · Oak Street
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Oak Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Esther 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.
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Merge slight left onto Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
80.7 mi · 01h 35m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Esther 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 Esther to Kansas City?
The road trip is about 299.1 miles (481.4 km) and usually takes 04h 38m 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?
Kingdom City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 149.1 miles from Esther and 149.9 miles from Kansas City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 236.9 miles (381.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 62.2 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 7:42 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.78 one way or $79.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Esther and Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Kansas City.
Stop Ideas Near Kingdom City
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 Kingdom City.
Jefferson City
Hermann
Washington
Sedalia
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Esther and Kansas City. Straight-line distance: 236.94 mi (381.32 km).
#1 Esther
Human settlement in St.
| Population | 1,161 |
| Coordinates | 37.8503300, -90.4987400 |
| Altitude | 246 |
| 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: 481 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.78 | $79.57 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.87 | $89.74 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $49.10 | $98.20 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $55.96 | $111.91 |
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.