How far is Kansas City, MO from Esther, MO?
The driving distance from Kansas City, MO to Esther, MO is about 297.9 miles (479.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 236.9 miles (381.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 27m 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 05h 43m.
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
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kansas City and Esther.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City and Esther.
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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
145 m · 12 sec · Charlotte Street
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4
Take the ramp straight toward I 70 East, US 40 East
1164 ft · 28 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto George Brett Super Highway
6.9 mi · 9 min · George Brett Super Highway
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6
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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7
Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
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8
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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9
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
52.5 mi · 57 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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10
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
32 mi · 34 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
22.4 mi · 24 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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12
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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13
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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14
Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
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15
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
81 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 64 East, US 40 East, US 61 South: Chesterfield
1567 ft · 33 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
25.1 mi · 31 min · Avenue of the Saints
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 270: Chicago, Memphis
1829 ft · 39 sec
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19
Keep slight right to continue on I 270 South: Memphis
1691 ft · 31 sec
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20
Merge slight left
11.5 mi · 14 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward I 55, US 61, US 67: Saint Louis, Memphis, Lemay Ferry Road
1911 ft · 27 sec
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22
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Memphis
2031 ft · 44 sec
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23
Merge slight left onto Rosa Parks Highway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Rosa Parks Highway
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24
Continue on Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Officer Thomas G. Smith, Jr. Memorial Highway
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25
Continue on Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
18.3 mi · 20 min · Police Officer Steven Jarvis Memorial Highway
-
26
Take the exit slight right toward US 67 South: Farmington, Poplar Bluff
914 ft · 20 sec
-
27
Keep slight left
729 ft · 18 sec
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28
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
9 m · 1 sec
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29
Exit the roundabout
27.9 mi · 32 min
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30
Take the exit slight right toward Parkway Drive
877 ft · 17 sec
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31
Turn right onto Parkway Drive
1951 ft · 58 sec · Parkway Drive
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32
Turn left onto Saint Joe Drive
1 mi · 2 min · Saint Joe Drive
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33
Turn left onto Jefferson Street
760 ft · 21 sec · Jefferson Street
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Jefferson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kansas City and Esther.
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
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
81 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 Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Kansas City and Mostly Cloudy near Esther.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kansas City to Esther?
The road trip is about 297.9 miles (479.5 km) and usually takes 05h 43m 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 148.8 miles from Kansas City and 149.2 miles from Esther.
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 61 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 5:32 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.63 one way or $79.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Kansas City and Mostly Cloudy near Esther.
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 Kansas City and Esther. Straight-line distance: 236.94 mi (381.32 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 Esther
Human settlement in St.
| Population | 1,161 |
| Coordinates | 37.8503300, -90.4987400 |
| Altitude | 246 |
| Country | United States |
End: Esther (-90.49874, 37.85033)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 479 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 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 | $39.63 | $79.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.70 | $89.40 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $48.91 | $97.83 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $55.75 | $111.49 |
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.