How far is Kansas City, MO from Carterville, MO?
The driving distance from Kansas City, MO to Carterville, MO is about 148.8 miles (239.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135 miles (217.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 32m 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 46m.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kansas City and Carterville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City and Carterville.
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1
Start on Oak Street
6 m · 5 sec · Oak Street
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2
Turn right onto East 12th Street
1308 ft · 42 sec · East 12th Street
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3
Turn right onto Charlotte Street
1497 ft · 41 sec · Charlotte Street
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4
Turn left onto East Truman Road
120 m · 12 sec · East Truman Road
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5
Turn right onto Campbell Street
21 m · 1 sec · Campbell Street
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6
Take the ramp straight toward US 71 South: Joplin
1114 ft · 27 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Bruce R. Watkins Drive
127.3 mi · 2 hr 21 min · Bruce R. Watkins Drive
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8
Continue on Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
10.2 mi · 11 min · Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
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9
Continue on George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
3.5 mi · 4 min · George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward MO 571 South, MO 96, I 49 Business, MO 171 North: Webb City
706 ft · 15 sec
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11
Turn right onto Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
5.9 mi · 6 min · Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward MO HH: Carterville
979 ft · 22 sec
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13
Turn right onto West Main Street
1 km · 1 min · West Main Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kansas City and Carterville.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Bruce R. Watkins Drive
Merge slight left onto Bruce R. Watkins Drive
127 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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Kansas City and Showers And Thunderstorms near Carterville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kansas City to Carterville?
The road trip is about 148.8 miles (239.4 km) and usually takes 02h 46m 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 74.5 miles from Kansas City and 74.3 miles from Carterville.
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 13.8 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 12:58 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.80 one way or $39.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Kansas City and Showers And Thunderstorms near Carterville.
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 Kansas City and Carterville. Straight-line distance: 134.97 mi (217.21 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Carterville
City in Jasper County, Missouri, United States of America
| Population | 1,965 |
| Coordinates | 37.1492300, -94.4430000 |
| Altitude | 300 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carterville (-94.443, 37.14923)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 239 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 07m |
| 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 | $19.80 | $39.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $22.33 | $44.66 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $24.43 | $48.87 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $27.85 | $55.69 |
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.