How far is Vandalia, MO from Kansas City, MO?
The driving distance from Vandalia, MO to Kansas City, MO is about 191.4 miles (308.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 166.1 miles (267.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 09m 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 04m.
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 Cooper County, Missouri, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Vandalia and Kansas City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Vandalia and Kansas City.
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1
Start on North Main Street
15 m · 3 sec · North Main Street
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2
Turn right onto US 54
8.9 mi · 12 min · US 54
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route
74 m · 3 sec
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4
Exit the roundabout
8.1 mi · 11 min
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Scott's Corner
19 m · 1 sec
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6
Exit the rotary
10.4 mi · 14 min
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7
Turn left onto US 54 West: Jefferson City
18.1 mi · 20 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
1253 ft · 15 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
18.6 mi · 24 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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10
Continue on Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
2 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
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11
Continue on Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
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12
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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13
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
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14
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
52.5 mi · 57 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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15
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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16
Continue on Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
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17
Continue on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
2.9 mi · 3 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
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18
Continue on George Brett Super Highway
6.8 mi · 9 min · George Brett Super Highway
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19
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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20
Take the exit slight right toward 13th Street, Downtown
905 ft · 24 sec
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21
Continue on East 13th Street
1313 ft · 35 sec · East 13th Street
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22
Turn right onto Oak Street
139 m · 13 sec · Oak Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Oak Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Vandalia 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.
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
Continue on U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
54.4 mi · 00h 58m
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.
Patchy Fog leaving Vandalia 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 Vandalia to Kansas City?
The road trip is about 191.4 miles (308.1 km) and usually takes 03h 04m 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?
Pilot Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 95.6 miles from Vandalia and 95.9 miles from Kansas City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 166.1 miles (267.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.3 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 10:50 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.83 one way or $53.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog around Vandalia and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Kansas City.
Stop Ideas Near Pilot Grove
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 Pilot Grove.
Sedalia
Jefferson City
Warrensburg
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Vandalia and Kansas City. Straight-line distance: 166.07 mi (267.27 km).
#1 Vandalia
City in Audrain and Ralls Counties, Missouri, USA
| Population | 3,496 |
| Coordinates | 39.3108700, -91.4884900 |
| Altitude | 232 |
| 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: 308 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.98 | $26.83 | $53.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.34 | $29.30 | $58.60 |
| Premium | $4.71 | $31.77 | $63.54 |
| Diesel | $5.99 | $40.42 | $80.84 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026