How far is University City, MO from Kansas City, MO?
The driving distance from University City, MO to Kansas City, MO is about 243.8 miles (392.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 231.6 miles (372.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 22m 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 03h 41m.
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.
The most populous city in the state of Missouri.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between University City and Kansas City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between University City and Kansas City.
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1
Start on Kingsland Avenue
53 m · 15 sec · Kingsland Avenue
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2
Continue on Kingsland Avenue
2570 ft · 1 min · Kingsland Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Olive Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · Olive Boulevard
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4
Turn right onto Midland Boulevard
3076 ft · 1 min · Midland Boulevard
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5
Turn slight right onto North Hanley Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · North Hanley Road
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6
Turn left onto Saint Charles Rock Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Saint Charles Rock Road
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7
Take the ramp slight right toward I 170 North
1417 ft · 20 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Inner Belt Expressway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Inner Belt Expressway
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9
Take the exit slight left toward I 70 West: Kansas City
2159 ft · 37 sec
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10
Merge slight right
221.6 mi · 4 hr 12 min
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11
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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12
Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
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13
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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14
Continue on George Brett Super Highway
6.8 mi · 9 min · George Brett Super Highway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South: Topeka, Wichita
1120 ft · 21 sec
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16
Take the exit slight right toward 13th Street, Downtown
905 ft · 24 sec
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17
Continue on East 13th Street
1313 ft · 35 sec · East 13th Street
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18
Turn right onto Oak Street
139 m · 13 sec · Oak Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Oak Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between University City and Kansas City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 70 West
Merge slight right
222 mi · 04h 12m
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 University City and Sunny near Kansas City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from University City to Kansas City?
The road trip is about 243.8 miles (392.4 km) and usually takes 03h 41m 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?
Columbia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.2 miles from University City and 122.6 miles from Kansas City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 231.6 miles (372.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.2 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 9:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.43 one way or $64.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around University City and Sunny near Kansas City.
Stop Ideas Near Columbia
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 Columbia.
Jefferson City
Sedalia
Hermann
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between University City and Kansas City. Straight-line distance: 231.65 mi (372.81 km).
#1 University City
Suburb in St.
| Population | 34,165 |
| Coordinates | 38.6558800, -90.3092800 |
| Altitude | 161 |
| 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: 392 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.43 | $64.86 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.58 | $73.15 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.02 | $80.05 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.61 | $91.23 |
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 07, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.