How far is Kansas City, MO from University City, MO?
The driving distance from Kansas City, MO to University City, MO is about 243.5 miles (391.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 231.6 miles (372.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 24m 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 04h 42m.
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.
The most populous city in the state of Missouri.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kansas City and University City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City and University 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
1.9 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
27.7 mi · 34 min · Avenue of the Saints
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18
Continue on Daniel Boone Expressway
4.9 mi · 6 min · Daniel Boone Expressway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Big Bend Boulevard
857 ft · 21 sec
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Big Bend Boulevard, Fontbonne University
40 m · 11 sec
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21
Turn left onto South Big Bend Boulevard
2 mi · 4 min · South Big Bend Boulevard
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22
At the end of the road, turn right onto Delmar Boulevard
889 ft · 18 sec · Delmar Boulevard
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23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Delmar Boulevard
29 m · 2 sec · Delmar Boulevard
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24
Exit the roundabout onto Delmar Boulevard
159 m · 17 sec · Delmar Boulevard
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25
Turn right onto Kingsland Avenue
30 m · 6 sec · Kingsland Avenue
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26
Continue on Kingsland Avenue
53 m · 13 sec · Kingsland Avenue
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Kingsland Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kansas City and University 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
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.
Sunny leaving Kansas City and Sunny near University City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kansas City to University City?
The road trip is about 243.5 miles (391.8 km) and usually takes 04h 42m 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?
Columbia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.5 miles from Kansas City and 122 miles from University City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 231.6 miles (372.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.9 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 7:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.39 one way or $64.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Kansas City and Sunny near University City.
Stop Ideas Near Columbia
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 Columbia.
Jefferson City
Sedalia
Hermann
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kansas City and University City. Straight-line distance: 231.65 mi (372.81 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 University City
Suburb in St.
| Population | 34,165 |
| Coordinates | 38.6558800, -90.3092800 |
| Altitude | 161 |
| Country | United States |
End: University City (-90.30928, 38.65588)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 392 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.39 | $64.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.53 | $73.07 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $39.98 | $79.96 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.56 | $91.12 |
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 07, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.