How far is Kansas City, MO from Kirksville, MO?
The driving distance from Kansas City, MO to Kirksville, MO is about 158.4 miles (254.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 130.4 miles (209.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 00m 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 03h 30m.
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.
City in Daviess County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kansas City and Kirksville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City and Kirksville.
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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
2100 ft · 1 min · East 12th Street
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3
Turn left onto Harrison Street
133 m · 16 sec · Harrison Street
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4
Turn left onto East 11th Street
64 m · 5 sec · East 11th Street
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5
Take the ramp right toward I 70 West, US 24 West, US 40 West, I 29 North, I 35 North, US 71 North
139 m · 11 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto George Brett Super Highway
1157 ft · 22 sec · George Brett Super Highway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 29 North, I 35 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph, Des Moines
4.6 mi · 6 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 35 North: Des Moines
11.2 mi · 13 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
41.8 mi · 45 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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10
Take the exit slight right
1053 ft · 26 sec
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11
Turn right
4.3 mi · 6 min
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12
Turn straight
30.9 mi · 40 min
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13
Turn right onto East 9th Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · East 9th Street
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14
Continue on 10th Street
25.5 mi · 38 min · 10th Street
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15
Turn left
24.7 mi · 37 min
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16
Continue straight
9.1 mi · 14 min
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17
Turn right onto Potter Trail
1.6 mi · 3 min · Potter Trail
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18
Continue on West Potter Avenue
3164 ft · 1 min · West Potter Avenue
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19
Turn right onto North Osteopathy
1.2 mi · 3 min · North Osteopathy
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20
Turn left onto West Washington Street
2163 ft · 1 min · West Washington Street
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21
Turn left onto North Franklin Street
3 m · 1 sec · North Franklin Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Franklin Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kansas City and Kirksville.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
41.8 mi · 00h 45m
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 leaving Kansas City and Sunny near Kirksville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kansas City to Kirksville?
The road trip is about 158.4 miles (254.9 km) and usually takes 03h 30m 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?
Jamesport is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.2 miles from Kansas City and 79.2 miles from Kirksville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 130.4 miles (209.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 28 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 10:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.08 one way or $42.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Kansas City and Sunny near Kirksville.
Stop Ideas Near Jamesport
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 Jamesport.
Independence
La Plata
Osceola
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kansas City and Kirksville. Straight-line distance: 130.35 mi (209.78 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 Kirksville
City in Adair County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 17,653 |
| Coordinates | 40.1947500, -92.5832500 |
| Altitude | 299 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kirksville (-92.58325, 40.19475)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 255 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.08 | $42.16 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.77 | $47.55 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.02 | $52.03 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.65 | $59.30 |
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 · Jun 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.