How far is Kansas City, KS from Carbondale, KS?
The driving distance from Kansas City, KS to Carbondale, KS is about 76.7 miles (123.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 60.6 miles (97.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 48m 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 01h 24m.
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 Kansas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kansas City and Carbondale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City and Carbondale.
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1
Start on the route
45 m · 13 sec
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2
Turn right onto Armstrong Avenue
86 m · 14 sec · Armstrong Avenue
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3
Turn right onto North 7th Street Trafficway
1.3 mi · 3 min · North 7th Street Trafficway
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 70 West, US 24 West, US 40 West, US 69 South: Topeka
54.3 mi · 56 min
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5
Keep slight left to continue on Kansas Turnpike
6.7 mi · 7 min · Kansas Turnpike
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 470 West, US 75: Topeka, Salina
999 ft · 28 sec
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7
Continue on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway
1.1 km · 1 min · Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 75 South
726 ft · 18 sec
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9
Keep slight left
155 m · 15 sec
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10
Turn left onto Southwest Burlingame Road
2048 ft · 53 sec · Southwest Burlingame Road
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11
Turn left onto Southwest 42nd Street
93 m · 13 sec · Southwest 42nd Street
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12
Take the ramp right
1466 ft · 36 sec
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13
Merge slight left
12.1 mi · 13 min
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14
Take the exit slight right
853 ft · 22 sec
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15
Turn right onto Main Street
1092 ft · 35 sec · Main Street
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16
Turn left onto South 4th Street
40 m · 6 sec · South 4th Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 4th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kansas City and Carbondale.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 70 West
Take the ramp slight right toward I 70 West, US 24 West, US 40 West, US 69 South: Topeka
54.3 mi · 00h 56m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Kansas City and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carbondale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kansas City to Carbondale?
The road trip is about 76.7 miles (123.4 km) and usually takes 01h 24m 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?
Lawrence is a useful midpoint, sitting about 38.3 miles from Kansas City and 38.4 miles from Carbondale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 60.6 miles (97.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.1 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 3:42 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.22 one way or $20.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Kansas City and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carbondale.
Stop Ideas Near Lawrence
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 Lawrence.
Lawrence
Topeka
Union Station
Independence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kansas City and Carbondale. Straight-line distance: 60.58 mi (97.49 km).
#1 Kansas City
The second most populous city in Kansas.
| Population | 152,960 |
| Coordinates | 39.1141700, -94.6274600 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Carbondale
City in Osage County, Kansas, United States
| Population | 1,347 |
| Coordinates | 38.8186200, -95.6891500 |
| Altitude | 343 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carbondale (-95.68915, 38.81862)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 123 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $10.22 | $20.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $11.53 | $23.05 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $12.61 | $25.22 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $14.37 | $28.75 |
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 Kansas · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.