Chicago to Kansas City: Road Trip Guide & Distance

412.3 miles 663.6 km · straight line
510.4 miles actual route 821.4 km · driving distance
9h 38min estimated drive time
$49 - $60 estimated fuel cost
~1h 20min flight time
245° WSW bearing direction

How far is Chicago from Kansas City?

The distance from Chicago to Kansas City is 412.3 miles (663.6 km) as the crow flies. Kansas City is located WSW of Chicago. By car, the driving distance is approximately 510.4 miles, taking about 9h 38min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 20min. Both are located in United States — Chicago in Illinois and Kansas City in Missouri.

This is a solid day of driving. Be sure to take breaks every 2-3 hours to avoid driver fatigue, and plan your meals ahead of time. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare.

Coordinates come from public place data for Chicago and Kansas City. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Chicago to Kansas City

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 9h 38min $49 - $60 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 20min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~11h 34min $41–$77* Budget
Train ~9h 9min $61–$179* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Chicago & Kansas City

Quick Facts

Chicago
41.88°N, 87.63°W
America/Chicago
181m elevation
Kansas City
39.10°N, 94.58°W
America/Chicago
277m elevation
Explore more routes from Kansas City

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 137 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 34 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 60.4 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM