How far is Kansas City, KS from Paola, KS?
The driving distance from Kansas City, KS to Paola, KS is about 44.5 miles (71.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 39.8 miles (64.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 56m 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 00h 58m.
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.
County seat of Johnson County, Kansas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kansas City and Paola.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City and Paola.
-
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
3.1 mi · 7 min · North 7th Street Trafficway
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 35 South: Wichita
828 ft · 20 sec
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5
Merge slight left
8.4 mi · 10 min
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6
Continue on I 35 South, US 56 West, US 169 South: Wichita
4.2 mi · 5 min
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7
Continue straight
6.1 mi · 7 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 169 South, KS 7: Paola
1618 ft · 41 sec
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9
Turn left
20.5 mi · 24 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Baptiste Drive
1057 ft · 28 sec
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11
Turn right onto Baptiste Drive
765 ft · 26 sec · Baptiste Drive
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12
Turn left onto Hedge Lane
102 m · 12 sec · Hedge Lane
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13
Turn right onto East Peoria Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · East Peoria Street
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14
Turn left onto South Silver Street
68 m · 9 sec · South Silver Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Silver Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kansas City and Paola.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Longest stretch
Turn left
20.5 mi · 00h 24m
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.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Kansas City and Clear near Paola.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kansas City to Paola?
The road trip is about 44.5 miles (71.6 km) and usually takes 00h 58m 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?
Olathe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.2 miles from Kansas City and 22.2 miles from Paola.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 39.8 miles (64.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:34 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.92 one way or $11.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Kansas City and Clear near Paola.
Stop Ideas Near Olathe
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Shawnee Town
Edwardsville City Hall
City Of Bonner Springs Wastewater
Overland Park City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Olathe.
Union Station
Lawrence
Lee's Summit
Independence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kansas City and Paola. Straight-line distance: 39.82 mi (64.08 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 Paola
City in Kansas
| Population | 1,108 |
| Coordinates | 38.5722400, -94.8791300 |
| Altitude | 279 |
| Country | United States |
End: Paola (-94.87913, 38.57224)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 72 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.92 | $11.84 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.68 | $13.35 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.31 | $14.61 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $8.33 | $16.65 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.