How far is Kansas City, MO from Jefferson City, MO?
The driving distance from Kansas City, MO to Jefferson City, MO is about 157.2 miles (253 km), with a travel time of about 02h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 134.4 miles (216.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 47m 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 23m.
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 Saline County, Missouri, United States
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 Jefferson City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City and Jefferson City.
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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
1.5 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Jefferson City, Moberly
748 ft · 16 sec
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16
Turn slight right onto US 63 South: Jefferson City
59 m · 4 sec
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17
Merge slight left
159 m · 12 sec
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18
Take the exit straight toward US 63 South: Jefferson City
2329 ft · 50 sec
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19
Merge slight left
27.1 mi · 29 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward US 54 West, US 63 South: Jefferson City
1.3 mi · 2 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward State Capitol
118 m · 18 sec
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22
Turn left onto West Main Street
2987 ft · 1 min · West Main Street
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23
Turn right onto Broadway Street
136 m · 26 sec · Broadway Street
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24
Turn left onto West High Street
852 ft · 38 sec · West High Street
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25
Turn right
77 m · 25 sec
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26
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Wall Way
2 m · 1 sec · East Wall Way
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Wall Way
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kansas City and Jefferson 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
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
52.5 mi · 00h 57m
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 Jefferson City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kansas City to Jefferson City?
The road trip is about 157.2 miles (253 km) and usually takes 02h 23m 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?
Nelson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.3 miles from Kansas City and 78.9 miles from Jefferson City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 134.4 miles (216.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.8 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 1:42 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.93 one way or $41.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.3 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 Jefferson City.
Stop Ideas Near Nelson
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 Nelson.
Sedalia
Warrensburg
Jefferson City
Lee's Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kansas City and Jefferson City. Straight-line distance: 134.38 mi (216.26 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 Jefferson City
The capital of Missouri.
| Population | 42,708 |
| Coordinates | 38.5767000, -92.1735200 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Wall Way (-92.173431, 38.576776)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 253 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.93 | $41.86 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.60 | $47.21 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.83 | $51.66 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.44 | $58.87 |
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.