How far is Paola, KS from Kansas City, KS?

The driving distance from Paola, KS to Kansas City, KS is about 44.6 miles (71.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 39.8 miles (64.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 45m 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
44.54 mi
00h 52m
Flight
39.82 mi
64.08 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Paola.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
39.82 mi
Kilometers
64.08 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
44.54 mi
Kilometers
71.68 km
Drive Time
00h 52m

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 00h 52m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kansas City
Tue, May 12, 8:39 PM CDT
Return by in Paola
Tue, May 12, 9:32 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Paola
2026-05-12T19:47
Arrive Kansas City
Tue, May 12, 8:39 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 52m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:53 AM to 10:53 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:44 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Paola
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
Olathe
KS

County seat of Johnson County, Kansas, United States

From Paola
22.4 mi
00h 26m
To Kansas City
22.2 mi
00h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
55°F
Overnight

Clear

Starts
Tue, May 12 5:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 mph S
Destination
88°F
Tuesday

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 14 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South Silver Street

    68 m · 14 sec · South Silver Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Peoria Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · West Peoria Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Hedge Lane

    89 m · 12 sec · Hedge Lane

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Baptiste Drive

    1456 ft · 40 sec · Baptiste Drive

  5. 5

    Turn left onto US 169 North, KS 7 North: Olathe

    1424 ft · 35 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    19.1 mi · 21 min

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    1.6 km · 2 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right

    6.9 mi · 9 min

  9. 9

    Continue on I 35 North, US 56 East, US 169 North: Des Moines

    3.6 mi · 4 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight right

    8.6 mi · 11 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 169

    1292 ft · 30 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto South 7th Street Trafficway

    3.2 mi · 7 min · South 7th Street Trafficway

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Armstrong Avenue

    86 m · 18 sec · Armstrong Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn left

    45 m · 11 sec

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
33.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 169 North
27.3 mi · 61%
I 35 North
12.2 mi · 27%
South 7th Street Trafficway
3.23 mi · 7%
West Peoria Street
1.21 mi · 3%
Baptiste Drive
0.28 mi · 1%
US 169
0.24 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 169 North

Merge slight left

19.1 mi · 00h 21m

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
00h 52m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.8 mi
39.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Olathe
00h 26m from Paola
Leave By
4:44 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Clear leaving Paola and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Kansas City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 44.6 miles (71.7 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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?

Olathe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.4 miles from Paola and 22.2 miles from Kansas City.

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

The direct path is about 39.8 miles (64.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:44 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.92 one way or $11.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Clear around Paola and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Kansas City.

Stop Ideas Near Olathe

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Olathe and the surrounding midpoint area.
Shawnee Town
Scenic stop 12.7 mi away

Shawnee Town

Shawnee , KS
11501 W 57th St, Shawnee, KS 66203
Rating 4.6/5 112 reviews Tourist attraction,Museum
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 13.8 mi away

Edwardsville City Hall

Edwardsville , KS
690 S 4th St, Edwardsville, KS 66111
Rating 2.9/5 16 reviews City Hall
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 14.5 mi away

City Of Bonner Springs Wastewater

Bonner Springs , KS
12021 Kaw Dr, Bonner Springs, KS 66012
Rating 4.7/5 3 reviews Sewage treatment plant
Overland Park City Hall
Scenic stop 10.7 mi away

Overland Park City Hall

Overland Park , KS
Overland Park, KS 66212
Rating 4.2/5 62 reviews Park,City park

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Union Station

31 mi away
30 West Pershing Rd.
RAIL

Lawrence

37 mi away
413 East 7th Street
RAIL

Lee's Summit

38 mi away
217 SW Main St.
RAIL

Independence

41 mi away
600 South Grand Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Paola and Kansas City. Straight-line distance: 39.82 mi (64.08 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Paola

City in Kansas

Population1,108
Coordinates38.5722400, -94.8791300
Altitude279
CountryUnited States
Kansas City

#2 Kansas City

The second most populous city in Kansas.

Population152,960
Coordinates39.1141700, -94.6274600
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
Start: South Silver Street (-94.879102, 38.572236)
End: Armstrong Avenue (-94.627458, 39.114578)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 72 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 06m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 44m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.57 gal
5.95 L · about $5.92
Round trip
$11.84
3.14 gal · 11.9 L
Estimated CO2
14 kg one way
Round trip: 27.9 kg / 62 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $5.92 $11.84
Mid-grade $4.25 $6.68 $13.35
Premium $4.65 $7.31 $14.61
Diesel $5.30 $8.33 $16.65

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 Kansas · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Paola and Kansas City. The current time is 19:47:02.

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.