How far is Kansas City, MO from La Plata, MO?
The driving distance from Kansas City, MO to La Plata, MO is about 166.9 miles (268.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 128.2 miles (206.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 26m 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 13m.
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 Livingston 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 Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kansas City and La Plata.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City and La Plata.
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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
34.5 mi · 37 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 36, MO 110 East, I 35 Business: Cameron, Hamilton
1213 ft · 33 sec
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11
Turn right onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
95.4 mi · 1 hr 50 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 63: Kirksville, Macon
924 ft · 27 sec
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13
Turn left onto North Missouri Street
19 mi · 22 min · North Missouri Street
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14
Take the exit left
31 m · 5 sec
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15
Turn left onto East Clark Street
1.1 km · 1 min · East Clark Street
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16
Turn right onto South Gex Street
844 ft · 39 sec · South Gex Street
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17
Turn right onto East Moore Street
6 m · 1 sec · East Moore Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Moore Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kansas City and La Plata.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
Turn right onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
95.4 mi · 01h 50m
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 Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near La Plata.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kansas City to La Plata?
The road trip is about 166.9 miles (268.6 km) and usually takes 03h 13m 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?
Utica is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.4 miles from Kansas City and 83.5 miles from La Plata.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 128.2 miles (206.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.21 one way or $44.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.3 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 Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near La Plata.
Stop Ideas Near Utica
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 Utica.
Independence
La Plata
Warrensburg
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kansas City and La Plata. Straight-line distance: 128.18 mi (206.28 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 La Plata
City in Macon County, Missouri
| Population | 1,303 |
| Coordinates | 40.0233700, -92.4915800 |
| Altitude | 285 |
| Country | United States |
End: La Plata (-92.49158, 40.02337)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 269 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.21 | $44.42 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.05 | $50.10 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.41 | $54.82 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.24 | $62.48 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.