How far is Seneca, MO from Kansas City, MO?
The driving distance from Seneca, MO to Kansas City, MO is about 177 miles (284.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 156 miles (251.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 47m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Town in Vernon County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Seneca and Kansas City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Seneca and Kansas City.
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1
Start on Delaware Street
15 m · 6 sec · Delaware Street
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2
Turn right onto Cherokee Avenue
12.2 mi · 19 min · Cherokee Avenue
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3
Continue on Coyote Drive
927 ft · 18 sec · Coyote Drive
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 44 East, MO 43 North: Springfield
1444 ft · 35 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
6.5 mi · 7 min · George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
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6
Continue on Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Congressman Gene Taylor Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward MO 249 North: Joplin
1585 ft · 45 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Governor Warren E Hearnes Memorial Highway
5.9 mi · 6 min · Governor Warren E Hearnes Memorial Highway
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9
Merge slight left onto Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
6.6 mi · 7 min · Edward F. Dixon III Memorial Highway
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10
Continue on West Central Avenue
138 m · 16 sec · West Central Avenue
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11
Turn left onto I 49 North, US 71 North: Kansas City
1109 ft · 14 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
3.2 mi · 3 min · George Washington Carver Memorial Highway
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13
Continue on Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
10.5 mi · 11 min · Trooper Charles P. Corbin Memorial Highway
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14
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
127.6 mi · 2 hr 21 min · Purple Heart Trail
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15
Take the exit slight right toward 11th Street, Downtown
1637 ft · 26 sec
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16
Turn straight onto East 11th Street
1731 ft · 1 min · East 11th Street
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17
Turn left onto Oak Street
141 m · 15 sec · Oak Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Oak Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Seneca and Kansas City.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Purple Heart Trail
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
128 mi · 02h 21m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Seneca and 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 Seneca to Kansas City?
The road trip is about 177 miles (284.8 km) and usually takes 02h 47m 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?
Nevada is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.8 miles from Seneca and 89.2 miles from Kansas City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 156 miles (251.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 21 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 12:54 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.57 one way or $47.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Seneca and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Kansas City.
Stop Ideas Near Nevada
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 Nevada.
Warrensburg
Lee's Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Seneca and Kansas City. Straight-line distance: 156.04 mi (251.12 km).
#1 Seneca
City in Missouri
| Population | 2,394 |
| Coordinates | 36.8414600, -94.6110600 |
| Altitude | 258 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: Oak Street (-94.578571, 39.099732)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 285 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.57 | $47.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.58 | $53.16 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.09 | $58.18 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.15 | $66.30 |
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.