How far is Kansas City, MO from Seneca, MO?
The driving distance from Kansas City, MO to Seneca, MO is about 174.9 miles (281.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 156 miles (251.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 39m 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 19m.
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.
Town in Vernon County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kansas City and Seneca.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City and Seneca.
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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
6.6 mi · 7 min · Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Governor Warren E Hearnes Memorial Highway
5.8 mi · 6 min · Governor Warren E Hearnes Memorial Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 44 West: Tulsa
1025 ft · 29 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
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15
Continue on George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
6.3 mi · 7 min · George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward MO 43 South: Seneca
744 ft · 18 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on MO 43 South: Seneca
112 m · 13 sec
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18
Continue on Coyote Drive
2303 ft · 47 sec · Coyote Drive
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19
Continue on Cherokee Avenue
12.2 mi · 19 min · Cherokee Avenue
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20
Turn left onto Delaware Street
15 m · 2 sec · Delaware Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Delaware Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kansas City and Seneca.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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 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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Kansas City and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Seneca.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kansas City to Seneca?
The road trip is about 174.9 miles (281.4 km) and usually takes 03h 19m 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?
Nevada is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.6 miles from Kansas City and 87.3 miles from Seneca.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 156 miles (251.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.9 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 10:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.27 one way or $46.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Kansas City and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Seneca.
Stop Ideas Near Nevada
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 Nevada.
Warrensburg
Lee's Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kansas City and Seneca. Straight-line distance: 156.04 mi (251.12 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 Seneca
City in Missouri
| Population | 2,394 |
| Coordinates | 36.8414600, -94.6110600 |
| Altitude | 258 |
| Country | United States |
End: Seneca (-94.61106, 36.84146)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 281 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.27 | $46.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.24 | $52.48 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.72 | $57.43 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.73 | $65.45 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.