Day trips · Kansas City · United States
4 best day trips from Kansas City
Where to go when you want a day away from Kansas City, and how long it really takes.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: User:Charvex, Public domain
Quick answer
The classic day trip from Kansas City is Independence, Missouri (About 20 minutes by car). The closest option is Independence, Missouri, about 16 km away.
Key facts
- Day trips in this guide
- 4
- Closest
- Independence, Missouri (16 km)
- Most popular
- Independence, Missouri
Day trips compared
| Destination | Distance | Travel time | How | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence, Missouri | 16 km | About 20 minutes by car | Car or rideshare via I-70 | Culture, Families |
| Lawrence, Kansas | 65 km | About 45 minutes by car | Car via I-70 (Kansas Turnpike) | Culture, Food lovers, Solo travellers |
| Weston, Missouri | 50 km | About 45 minutes by car | Car via I-29 and Highway 273 | Couples, Quiet stays, Food lovers |
| St. Joseph, Missouri | 90 km | About 1 hour by car | Car via I-29 | Culture, Families |
The day trips
16 km · About 20 minutes by car
1.Independence, Missouri
Harry S. Truman's hometown holds the Truman Presidential Library and Museum and the Truman Home, the modest house he returned to after the presidency, run by the National Park Service. The town was also a starting point for the Santa Fe, Oregon and California trails, with the National Frontier Trails Museum nearby.
- Getting there
- Car or rideshare via I-70
- Best for
- Culture, Families
65 km · About 45 minutes by car
2.Lawrence, Kansas
The University of Kansas town has a lively main street, Massachusetts Street, lined with independent shops, bars and restaurants. The campus holds the Spencer Museum of Art and the original rules of basketball, written by James Naismith, at the DeBruce Center.
- Getting there
- Car via I-70 (Kansas Turnpike)
- Best for
- Culture, Food lovers, Solo travellers
50 km · About 45 minutes by car
3.Weston, Missouri
A preserved 19th-century river town north of the airport with antique shops, a historic brewery with underground cellars and wineries in the surrounding hills. Weston Bend State Park has a scenic overlook above the Missouri River.
- Getting there
- Car via I-29 and Highway 273
- Best for
- Couples, Quiet stays, Food lovers
90 km · About 1 hour by car
4.St. Joseph, Missouri
St. Joseph was the eastern starting point of the Pony Express in 1860; the Pony Express National Museum occupies the original stables. The house where outlaw Jesse James was shot in 1882 is also open to visitors, and the town has grand 19th-century mansions.
- Getting there
- Car via I-29
- Best for
- Culture, Families
Day-trip tips
- Leave early: most trips are more relaxed with a morning departure and a return before dinner.
- RideKC buses cover the metro area, including the MAX rapid lines on Main Street and Troost Avenue, which reach the Plaza area and midtown.
- For trips over about 150 km, an overnight stay or an organised tour saves a lot of travelling.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best day trip from Kansas City?
Independence, Missouri. Harry S.
+How long does it take to get from Kansas City to Independence, Missouri?
About 20 minutes by car — Car or rideshare via I-70, about 16 km.
+How long does it take to get from Kansas City to Lawrence, Kansas?
About 45 minutes by car — Car via I-70 (Kansas Turnpike), about 65 km.