How far is Kansas City, MO from Willow Springs, MO?
The driving distance from Kansas City, MO to Willow Springs, MO is about 254.5 miles (409.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 203.3 miles (327.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 03m 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 05h 01m.
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 Polk County, Missouri, United States
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 Willow Springs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kansas City and Willow Springs.
-
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
37.3 mi · 44 min · Bruce R. Watkins Drive
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8
Take the exit slight right toward MO 7 South: Clinton
924 ft · 20 sec
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9
Turn slight left onto MO 7 South: Clinton
55.5 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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10
Continue straight
68 mi · 1 hr 19 min
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11
Take the exit slight left toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis
954 ft · 23 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Payne Stewart Highway
4.3 mi · 5 min · Payne Stewart Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 65 South: Branson
2343 ft · 50 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Schoolcraft Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · Schoolcraft Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 60 East: Cabool
1228 ft · 53 sec
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16
Merge slight left
76.8 mi · 1 hr 30 min
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17
Take the exit slight right
1451 ft · 42 sec
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18
Turn left
2.1 mi · 4 min
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kansas City and Willow Springs.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
US 60 East
Merge slight left
76.8 mi · 01h 30m
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 Willow Springs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kansas City to Willow Springs?
The road trip is about 254.5 miles (409.5 km) and usually takes 05h 01m 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?
Fair Play is a useful midpoint, sitting about 127.2 miles from Kansas City and 127.3 miles from Willow Springs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 203.3 miles (327.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.2 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 6:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.86 one way or $67.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Kansas City and Sunny near Willow Springs.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kansas City and Willow Springs. Straight-line distance: 203.33 mi (327.23 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 Willow Springs
City in Howell County, Missouri, United States
| Population | 2,098 |
| Coordinates | 36.9922800, -91.9698700 |
| Altitude | 387 |
| Country | United States |
End: Willow Springs (-91.96987, 36.99228)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 409 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.86 | $67.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $38.19 | $76.38 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.79 | $83.59 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $47.63 | $95.26 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.