How far is Kirksville, MO from Kansas City, MO?

The driving distance from Kirksville, MO to Kansas City, MO is about 158.6 miles (255.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 130.4 miles (209.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
158.67 mi
02h 49m
Flight
130.35 mi
209.78 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kirksville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
130.35 mi
Kilometers
209.78 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
158.67 mi
Kilometers
255.35 km
Drive Time
02h 49m

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 02h 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kansas City
Wed, Jun 3, 1:32 AM CDT
Return by in Kirksville
Wed, Jun 3, 4:22 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kirksville
2026-06-02T22:43
Arrive Kansas City
Wed, Jun 3, 1:32 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:49 AM to 12:49 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:52 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Kirksville
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Jamesport
MO

City in Daviess County, Missouri, United States

From Kirksville
79.1 mi
01h 24m
To Kansas City
79.5 mi
01h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Jun 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 10 mph E
Destination
82°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, Jun 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 10 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Kirksville and Kansas City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kirksville and Kansas City.

  1. 1

    Start on North Franklin Street

    898 ft · 42 sec · North Franklin Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Illinois Street

    92 m · 11 sec · East Illinois Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto North Marion Street

    1004 ft · 43 sec · North Marion Street

  4. 4

    Continue on North Marion Street

    66 m · 9 sec · North Marion Street

  5. 5

    Continue on North Green Street

    3195 ft · 1 min · North Green Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto North Baltimore Street

    104 m · 13 sec · North Baltimore Street

  7. 7

    Turn left onto West Potter Avenue

    1.1 mi · 2 min · West Potter Avenue

  8. 8

    Continue on Potter Trail

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Potter Trail

  9. 9

    Turn left

    33.8 mi · 50 min

  10. 10

    Turn right

    26.9 mi · 40 min

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Main Street

    29.4 mi · 38 min · Main Street

  12. 12

    Continue on 2nd Street

    1.5 mi · 2 min · 2nd Street

  13. 13

    Turn straight

    4.4 mi · 6 min

  14. 14

    Take the ramp left

    918 ft · 22 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    57.6 mi · 1 hr 4 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on I 70 East, US 40 East, US 71 South: Saint Louis, Joplin

    1742 ft · 33 sec

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward Downtown

    745 ft · 20 sec

  18. 18

    Turn slight right onto East 11th Street

    1356 ft · 52 sec · East 11th Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Oak Street

    141 m · 15 sec · Oak Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Oak Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Kirksville and Kansas City.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
20 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
2nd Street
59.2 mi · 37%
Main Street
29.4 mi · 19%
Potter Trail
1.64 mi · 1%
West Potter Avenue
1.13 mi · 1%
North Green Street
0.61 mi
I 70 East
0.33 mi
Longest Stretch

2nd Street

Merge slight left

57.6 mi · 01h 04m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28.2 mi
130.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Jamesport
01h 24m from Kirksville
Leave By
12:52 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Kirksville and Mostly Sunny near Kansas City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Kirksville to Kansas City?

The road trip is about 158.6 miles (255.3 km) and usually takes 02h 49m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Jamesport is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.1 miles from Kirksville and 79.5 miles from Kansas City.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 130.4 miles (209.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:52 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.12 one way or $42.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Kirksville and Mostly Sunny near Kansas City.

Stop Ideas Near Jamesport

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Jamesport, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Jamesport.

RAIL

Independence

112 mi away
600 South Grand Ave.
RAIL

La Plata

112 mi away
535 N. Owensby St.
RAIL

Osceola

118 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Union Station

119 mi away
30 West Pershing Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kirksville and Kansas City. Straight-line distance: 130.35 mi (209.78 km).

Kirksville

#1 Kirksville

City in Adair County, Missouri, United States

Population17,653
Coordinates40.1947500, -92.5832500
Altitude299
CountryUnited States
Kansas City

#2 Kansas City

The third most populous city in Missouri and the center of the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Population495,327
Coordinates39.0997300, -94.5785700
Altitude274
CountryUnited States
Start: East Washington Street (-92.583214, 40.194721)
End: Oak Street (-94.578571, 39.099732)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 255 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 58m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.6 gal
21.19 L · about $21.12
Round trip
$42.24
11.2 gal · 42.38 L
Estimated CO2
49.8 kg one way
Round trip: 99.5 kg / 219 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.12 $42.24
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.82 $47.63
Premium $4.65 $26.06 $52.12
Diesel $5.30 $29.70 $59.40

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 · Jun 03, 2026

There is no time difference between Kirksville and Kansas City. The current time is 22:43:30.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.