How far is West Plains, MO from Kansas City, MO?
The driving distance from West Plains, MO to Kansas City, MO is about 275.8 miles (443.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 221.2 miles (356 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 35m 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 04h 17m.
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.
State of Venezuela
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Plains and Kansas City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Plains and Kansas City.
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1
Start on Court Square
16 m · 2 sec · Court Square
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2
Turn left onto Court Square
1.1 km · 2 min · Court Square
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3
Continue on Porter Wagoner Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · Porter Wagoner Boulevard
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4
Turn left onto Gibson Street
1277 ft · 22 sec · Gibson Street
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5
Turn right onto Jan Howard Expressway
1.2 mi · 2 min · Jan Howard Expressway
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6
Continue on Porter Wagoner Boulevard
1.2 km · 59 sec · Porter Wagoner Boulevard
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7
Continue on Sunset Terrace
66.2 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Sunset Terrace
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8
Continue straight
30.5 mi · 36 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 65 North: Sedalia
1511 ft · 32 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Schoolcraft Freeway
8.1 mi · 10 min · Schoolcraft Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 44 West: Joplin
1.3 km · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Payne Stewart Highway
4.1 mi · 5 min · Payne Stewart Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward MO 13: Bolivar
596 ft · 15 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on MO 13: Bolivar
46 m · 4 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on MO 13 North: Bolivar
64 m · 7 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto North Kansas Expressway
87.2 mi · 1 hr 43 min · North Kansas Expressway
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17
Continue straight
35.9 mi · 39 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
37.9 mi · 46 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward 11th Street, Downtown
1637 ft · 26 sec
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20
Turn straight onto East 11th Street
1731 ft · 1 min · East 11th Street
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21
Turn left onto Oak Street
141 m · 15 sec · Oak Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Oak Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Plains 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.
North Kansas Expressway
Merge slight left onto North Kansas Expressway
87.2 mi · 01h 43m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving West Plains 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 West Plains to Kansas City?
The road trip is about 275.8 miles (443.8 km) and usually takes 04h 17m 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?
Bolivar is a useful midpoint, sitting about 137.9 miles from West Plains and 137.9 miles from Kansas City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 221.2 miles (356 km), while the road route adds roughly 54.6 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 8:24 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.69 one way or $73.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 86.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around West Plains and Mostly Sunny near Kansas City.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Plains and Kansas City. Straight-line distance: 221.19 mi (355.97 km).
#1 West Plains
City in Missouri, United States
| Population | 12,383 |
| Coordinates | 36.7281200, -91.8523700 |
| Altitude | 306 |
| 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: 444 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $36.69 | $73.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $41.38 | $82.76 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $45.28 | $90.57 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $51.61 | $103.22 |
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 · Apr 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.