If you’re looking for the best road trips from Kansas City, you’ve come to the right place.
Whether you call Kansas City home or are visiting this midwest American city for any length of time, having handy a few places to go for a road trip helps make the work week a bit more bearable.
As avid road trippers and Kansas City natives ourselves, we couldn’t help but compile this list of the best places to go for a vacation, getaway, or simply a day trip from Kansas City.
So if you’re eager to see what’s around the Heart of America, stick with us as we take you through this exciting list!
Best Road Trips from Kansas City
If you’re itching for a getaway, be it for the day, the weekend, or for as long as there’s fuel in your tank and money in your wallet, then this list of Kansas City road trips is for you.
We’ll start with the best Kansas City day trips, then move on to the best weekend trips, followed by the best 8 hour road trips, and finally finish with our pick of the best cross-country road trip from Kansas City.
The Best Day Trips From Kansas City
Some of the best road trips from Kansas City aren’t far away and can actually be done as day trips. Here’s a look at our recommendations for what to do near Kansas City for a mini road trip.
1. Lawrence, Kansas
Distance from Kansas City: 40 minutes
Most people would recognize Lawrence, KS as the home of the Jayhawks. Or for the eponymous song by Josh Ritter. But this little college town will surprise you in many ways.
With a historic downtown perfect for walking, boutique shopping, or enjoying a craft beer, a drive to Lawrence is the perfect day trip from Kansas City, at only 40 miles away.
On your way from Kansas City, stop by Davenport Winery between Lawrence and Eudora. Get a bottle of Charlotte’s Red or Mandolin if they are available.
Clinton Lake is also just outside of town, and a great place for a little rest and relaxation, fishing, or camping.
2. Weston, Missouri
Distance from Kansas City: 40 minutes
Another great day trip from Kansas City, this time into the state of Missouri, is the little town of Weston. Believe it or not, Weston has lots of amazing orchards surrounding the town. Spend a fall day picking apples and going to the annual AppleFest.
And if you like to discover good restaurants no one (outside of Weston) has heard of, Tine and Cellar is truly an underground stop. (No, literally it is built in an old cellar several stories underground!) They have amazing food and are naturally cool during the hot midwest summers – a luxury not to be overlooked!
If you decide to stay overnight in Weston, try camping at Weston Bend State Park in the summer. In the winter, bring your skis or snowboard to Snowcreek Ski Resort. It probably won’t host the Olympics anytime soon, but it’s pretty good for flatlanders.
The Best Weekend Road Trips From Kansas City
If you’re up for something a bit more adventurous, hit the road for a weekend trip from Kansas City. These recommendations are relatively short road trips from Kansas City, but are ones that are a bit more comfortably done over the course of two or three days.
3. Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Distance from Kansas City: 2.5 Hours
Only a couple of hours away from Kansas City, Lake of the Ozarks is a long, winding reservoir situated within two state parks: Lake of the Ozarks State Park and Ha Ha Tonka State Park.
📍Lake of the Ozarks State Park – Kaiser, MO
Lake of the Ozarks is the largest and one of the most visited State Parks in Missouri. Over 2.5 million visitors come for camping, swimming, and water sports each year.
Holiday weekends can be especially crowded with boaters coming from hundreds of miles around to gather into one of the largest floating parties in the country.
Although a popular destination, there are some arms and coves around the reservoir that you can have all to yourself for a quiet camping or fishing spot.
📍Ha Ha Tonka State Park – Camdenton, MO
The other State Park on the shore of the Lake of the Ozarks, Ha Ha Tonka is much more laid back than the party scene often exhibited by its neighbor.
Most famous for the Ha Ha Tonka Castle ruins, there is plenty to explore along this stretch of the shoreline. There are also some great caves, bluffs, and sinkholes that are unique to this area and worth making the point of seeing.
4. Omaha, Nebraska
Distance from Kansas City: 3 Hours
Another midwest city with a small-town feel is Omaha, Nebraska. Less than 3 hours north of the city, Omaha is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway from Kansas City for families, couples and individuals alike.
Families travel from surrounding states to visit the award-winning Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, and couples will enjoy the romance of the Old Market Entertainment District. Fontenelle Forest also has miles of beautiful hiking trails that visitors of all ages will enjoy.
This town also lays claim to inventing several foods including the Reuben, Butter Brickle ice cream, cake mix, and TV dinners. (Hey, they never claimed to be healthy.)
5. Branson, Missouri
Distance from Kansas City: 3 Hours
If you’ve never heard of Branson, think of it as a mix between Nashville, Dollywood, and Las Vegas.
Over the years, the city continually outgrows itself. Everything from live country music to go-karts and outlet malls. People come from hours away in all directions come to spend a weekend in Branson.
Centered around old west living, Silver Dollar City is an amusement park set in the 1800s. From rides to shows to craftsmen making everything from baseball bats to taffy, there is something for the whole family to enjoy.
6. St. Louis, Missouri
Distance from Kansas City: 3.5 Hours
Known as the Gateway to the West, St. Louis is only a short 3.5-hour drive east of Kansas City. Take a ride up to the top of the Gateway Arch and look over the city at this famous landmark.
There are lots of great things to do for families in St Louis. The City Museum offers a fun educational experience year-round. And if you’re visiting from late spring to early fall, be sure to spend the day at the Six Flags amusement park, or the St Louis Zoo and Aquarium.
St. Louis is much bigger than most cities in this list of road trips from Kansas City, and for many, that means there’s lots of reasons to visit.
The Best 8 Hour Road Trips From Kansas City (or Longer)
One of the obvious advantages of Kansas City is the fact that it is right in the middle of the country. So any of the surrounding states are accessible by road trip.
However, we’ve narrowed down some of our favorites that are all within a roughly 8-12 hour drive – perfect for a long weekend road trip from Kansas City.
Nearly a full day of driving may sound like a lot, but when you consider the diverse landscapes you can end up at, it’s pretty amazing to leave KC early in the morning and have dinner in the mountains, the Gulf, or the Great Lakes.
7. Denver, Colorado: The Best Mountain Road Trip From Kansas City
Distance from Kansas City: 9 Hours
Denver is less than 9 hours from Kansas City. Plus you gain an hour driving there. So it’s almost an “8 hour drive” that feels like 9 hours!
Just on the outskirts of the Rockies, Denver is the perfect destination on your way to the mountains. Stop in for supplies and grub before heading into the wilderness.
In the summer, hike or backpack Rocky Mountain National Park. In the winter you will find some of the best skiing and snowboarding.
Or take it farther and launch your own Rocky Mountain road trip.
Whatever the result, you can be sure that the Rockies do not disappoint. There’s plenty to do for couples, families, or lone ranger road trippers looking for a good time in the mountains.
8. Galveston, Texas: The Closest Beach Road Trip From Kansas City
Distance from Kansas City: 12 Hours
The obvious drawback of living in the center of the country is the distance to the east and west coasts. While either one makes for a great road trip, there is a much faster way to get to the beach.
You can get to Galveston, Texas in about 12 hours. That means you can scrape the ice off of your windshield in the morning and walk on the beach by the evening.
From there you can spend the weekend relaxing. Or you can take the family to the Kemah Boardwalk for rides, shopping, and eating.
9. Great Lakes, Michigan: The Best Midwest Road Trip From Kansas City
Distance from Kansas City: 8+ Hours
The summers in Kansas City get hot and humid. To escape you have two choices. Heading west to the mountains or heading north to the Great Lakes.
The Great Lakes offer a reprieve from the sweltering humidity of the plains. And Michigan is covered in white sandy beaches – without sharks or pirates!
You can be at the SOHA Surf Shop in South Haven, MI in 9 hours. That’s right, a surf shop in Michigan.
They are also well known for their abundance of craft breweries and farm stands lining the back roads. In season, fresh cherries and berries are among the best road trip snacks.
Chicago is also slightly closer than Michigan and offers the chance to dip your toes in Lake Michigan while escaping the heat of the midwest.
10. Bourbon Trail, Kentucky: Whiskey Tasting Road Trip From Kansas City
Distance from Kansas City: 8 Hours
Kentucky is probably most popular for Bluegrass and Bourbon. Or horse racing. No, maybe butter cake.
Whatever you have heard about Kentucky, it’s probably true. The Bourbon Trail is set in beautiful horse country. With miles of gently rolling emerald green grass fields outlined by long white fences, it is truly remarkable to experience.
Most of the distilleries are set in historic buildings, so even if you’re not into whisky, the architecture is worth the trip.
Each distillery has its own style. We recommend Buffalo Trace and Woodford Reserve to go from the laid-back, rustic feel to the more refined one.
And if you want to get in on the ground floor and see guys that really roll up their sleeves, go to Glenns Creek Distillery. They are in the former Old Crow distillery grounds.
Considering all this fun is within an 8 hour radius from Kansas City, Bourbon Trail, Kentucky makes for a getaway – for adults, at least!
🛑Please: Never drink and drive; always have a designated driver or hire an Uber.
Editor’s Pick: Best Cross Country Road Trip From Kansas City
Being so close to the center of the United States makes every part of the lower 48 states drivable within a couple of days.
Seattle is 27 hours to the northwest, whereas San Diego is 24 hours southwest.
Driving northeast, you can be at Mt Katahdin, Maine in 26 hours. And the furthest stretches of the southeast coast are only 21 hours away.
With so many great options for epic long road trips from Kansas City, we finally narrowed it down to one that tops all others in our mind – the trip from Kansas City to Olympic National Park in Washington State.
11. Olympic National Park, Washington
Distance from Kansas City: 29 Hours
This is where it gets really fun because a road trip is just as much about the journey as the destination.
With your choice of stops along the way, you can visit Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, cross the Snake River in Idaho, and take a little detour to hike miles of trails near Portland, Oregon.
Once you get there, you will be immersed in old-growth forests covered in moss and the sound of the Pacific coming to rest on the incredible rocky coast.
Take a new route on the way back with stops in Montana and South Dakota. Or take some more detours to Banff, Canada in the north or to Yellowstone National Park on your way home.
☞Check out our other suggestions for the best road trips in North America. You might just find another to inspire travel!
Day Trips & Things to Do within Kansas City
Road trips are great, but they have a time and a place. On days when you’d rather stick to the best attractions within the city, Kansas City has lots to offer.
✔️Walk in Downtown Kansas City
Over the past few decades, there has been a revitalization of Kansas City’s downtown area. Unlike most big cities, Kansas City has relatively light traffic even downtown.
Don’t miss the booming Power and Light District or the historic Union Station.
For families, The Sea Life Aquarium and Legoland are at the nearby Crown Center.
You can also take a Segway tour of The Country Club Plaza! And of course, the cultural center in the Crossroads Arts District is a great attraction in downtown Kansas City.
✔️Barbecue
Kansas City is known for its barbecue, and in this city, you’re spoiled for choices.
Arguably the best BBQ in Kansas City is Joe’s Kansas City Barbecue (formerly Oklahoma Joe’s).
You will notice that the original location is inside a gas station. Don’t worry! (It’s not like it’s sushi!) Just try it, and you’ll see why “gas station BBQ” is a really good idea.
✔️Kansas City Zoo
One of the best day trips from Kansas City for families is right inside the city at the Kansas City Zoo. With over 1700 animals representing 200+ species, there’s lots to see and do at the zoo.
The zoo even hosts overnight experiences, where families can camp under the stars or spend the night in the Penguin Plaza. Talk about a fun overnight vacation without leaving the city!
✔️Worlds of Fun & Oceans of Fun
Take a day trip within the city to the largest theme park in the American midwest! Worlds of Fun and the Oceans of Fun waterpark offer tons of fun for families and children in Kansas City.
With roller coasters, waterslides, wave pool, lazy river, and much more, there is never a dull moment at this top Kansas City attraction.
Turn your day trip into a mini Kansas City getaway by staying the night in the Worlds of Fun Village, where you can book a cottage or cabin or camp in your RV close to all the action of the park.
Where to Stay in Kansas City
If you plan on spending some time in Kansas City, you’re going to want to find a comfortable place to stay.
Here’s a look at the best Kansas City hotels.
⭐Top Upscale Boutique Kansas City Hotel: The Truitt
⭐Top Budget-Friendly Kansas City Hotel: Holiday Inn – Kansas City – Northeast
Which Road Trips From Kansas City Will You Choose?
Kansas City has always been at the crossroads for travelers in the midwest. The California, Oregon, and Sante Fe trails all passed through here during the pioneer days. The Chisholm Trail brought cattle drives from as far as Texas to the rail yards of Kansas City during the old west times.
At the intersection of two interstate highways that bisect the United States into almost perfect quadrants, Kansas City is still at the crossroads. As a result, Kansas City is the perfect place to launch a road trip to some of the best cities and sites in the American midwest.
We’ve barely even scratched the surface of the best road trips from Kansas City. Being in the Heart of America – as the city is affectionately called – affords reasonable drive times to almost anywhere.
Within 24 hours you can be at the Pacific or the Atlantic. You can be in Zion National Park in about 18 hours. Or take a road trip to Yosemite in 27 hours with stops in Denver and Las Vegas along the way.
More Road Trip Ideas
If you’re looking for more road trip ideas, be sure to check out our Road Trip Page!
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