How far is Kansas City, MO from Waynesville, MO?
The driving distance from Kansas City, MO to Waynesville, MO is about 197.6 miles (318 km), with a travel time of about 04h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 155.8 miles (250.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 27m 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 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.
City in Pettis County, Missouri, United States of America
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 Waynesville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City and Waynesville.
-
1
Start on Oak Street
6 m · 5 sec · Oak Street
-
2
Turn right onto East 12th Street
1308 ft · 42 sec · East 12th Street
-
3
Turn right onto Charlotte Street
145 m · 12 sec · Charlotte Street
-
4
Take the ramp straight toward I 70 East, US 40 East
1164 ft · 28 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto George Brett Super Highway
6.9 mi · 9 min · George Brett Super Highway
-
6
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
-
7
Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
-
8
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.6 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
-
9
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
52.5 mi · 57 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
10
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
8.5 mi · 9 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward US 65 South: Sedalia
1895 ft · 46 sec
-
12
Merge slight left
15.9 mi · 18 min
-
13
Turn slight left onto MO 765
706 ft · 14 sec · MO 765
-
14
Continue straight
799 ft · 16 sec
-
15
Turn straight onto North Ohio Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · North Ohio Avenue
-
16
Turn left onto East Pettis Street
2233 ft · 1 min · East Pettis Street
-
17
Continue on West Saline Street
1764 ft · 50 sec · West Saline Street
-
18
Turn right onto North Engineer Avenue
2756 ft · 1 min · North Engineer Avenue
-
19
Turn left onto East Broadway Boulevard
24.3 mi · 33 min · East Broadway Boulevard
-
20
Turn right
14.5 mi · 19 min
-
21
At the end of the road, turn left
15 mi · 19 min
-
22
Turn right onto South Grand Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · South Grand Avenue
-
23
Turn slight left onto West 17th Street
530 ft · 19 sec · West 17th Street
-
24
Turn right
12 mi · 18 min
-
25
Turn right
23.9 mi · 33 min
-
26
Continue straight
12.4 mi · 20 min
-
27
At the end of the road, turn right
93 m · 10 sec
-
28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kansas City and Waynesville.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
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 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 Waynesville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kansas City to Waynesville?
The road trip is about 197.6 miles (318 km) and usually takes 04h 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?
Smithton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.7 miles from Kansas City and 98.9 miles from Waynesville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 155.8 miles (250.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:32 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.28 one way or $52.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.9 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 Waynesville.
Stop Ideas Near Smithton
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 Smithton.
Sedalia
Warrensburg
Jefferson City
Lee's Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kansas City and Waynesville. Straight-line distance: 155.75 mi (250.66 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 Waynesville
City in Pulaski County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 5,308 |
| Coordinates | 37.8286500, -92.2007200 |
| Altitude | 246 |
| Country | United States |
End: Waynesville (-92.20072, 37.82865)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 318 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.28 | $52.57 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.64 | $59.29 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.44 | $64.88 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.97 | $73.94 |
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.