Kansas City to Denver Distance

604 miles•972 km•8.9 hours

Driving distance and route information from Kansas City, United Statesto Denver, United States. Compare multiple routes and get detailed travel information.

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FASTEST ROUTE

603.85 mi

(971.8 km)

⏱️8h 55m

Via I-70 → US-40 → US-71 → I-670

I-70 → US-40

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ALTERNATIVE ROUTE

613.4 mi

(987.17 km)

⏱️9h 27m

Via US-40 → I-70 → I-670 → KS-4

US-40 → I-70

📏 Straight-line distance: 557 miles (896 km)

See crow flies distance →

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Complete Driving Guide: Kansas City to Denver

Essential Route Information

TOTAL DISTANCE

604 mi

972 kilometers

DRIVING TIME

8.9 hours

534 minutes

FUEL ESTIMATE

81 L

$122 cost

📍 Route Overview

Starting PointKansas City, Missouri

DestinationDenver, Colorado

Route Options2 available routes

Countries Crossed1 country

Time Zone ChangesCheck local times

🚗 Driving Details

Average Speed109 km/h

Straight-line Distance896 km

Route Efficiency92%

Toll RoadsNo tolls expected

Ferry CrossingsNo ferries

Compare All Routes from Kansas City to Denver

Route Type	Distance	Drive Time	Avg Speed	Tolls
⭐ Fastest Route	604 mi (972 km)	8.9 hours	109 km/h	❌ No
Alternative 1	613 mi (987 km)	9.5 hours	104 km/h	❌ No

Complete Journey Overview: Kansas City to Denver

The road journey from Kansas City to Denver spans approximately 604 miles (972 kilometers), making it a long-distance drive that typically requires 8.9 hours of continuous driving under normal traffic conditions.

This route connects Missouri, United States with Colorado, United States, traversing through various regions within United States. The journey offers 2 distinct routing options, each with unique advantages in terms of distance, time, or scenic value.

The fastest driving route from Kansas City to Denver follows the I-70 → US-40 → US-71 → I-670 corridor, maintaining an average speed of approximately 109 km/h. This corridor avoids toll roads, keeping out-of-pocket cost limited to fuel and incidentals.

🗺️ Travel Planning Essentials

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Fuel Planning: Expect to use approximately 24 gallons (81 liters) of fuel for this 604 mile journey. Plan fuel stops every 250-300 miles.

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Rest Stops: For safety, plan a 15-minute break every 2 hours of driving. Total journey with breaks: 10.2 hours.

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Best Travel Times: Avoid peak traffic hours (7-9 AM and 5-7 PM) in major cities along your route for optimal travel time.

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Weather Check: Monitor weather conditions along the entire route, especially during winter months or rainy seasons.

💰 Cost Estimation Guide

Fuel Cost (approximate)$85

Toll Costs$0

Vehicle Wear & Tear (total, ~$0.25/mi)$151

Total Trip Cost$236

* Costs are estimates based on average fuel prices and vehicle maintenance. Actual costs may vary.

Alternative Transportation Options

🚗

By Car

8.9 hours

604 miles

✈️

By Plane

1.1 hours flight

896 km direct

🚌

By Bus

11.6 hours

Multiple stops

More routes from Kansas City

View all distances from Kansas City →

More routes from Denver

View all distances from Denver →

Kansas City to Denver - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the driving distance from Kansas City to Denver?

The driving distance from Kansas City to Denver is 604 miles (972 km) by the fastest route, which follows I-70 → US-40 → US-71 → I-670. The straight-line ("as the crow flies") distance is 896 km — driving distances are typically 20-40% longer than straight-line because roads must navigate around terrain and built environment.

How long does it take to drive from Kansas City to Denver?

The drive from Kansas City to Denver takes approximately 8h 55m of continuous driving at an average speed of 109 km/h. With a 15-minute rest stop every two hours, plan on roughly 10.2 hours of total trip time. Add additional time for traffic, weather, or border crossings.

What is the fastest route from Kansas City to Denver?

The fastest driving route from Kansas City to Denver is 604 miles (972 km) via I-70 → US-40 → US-71 → I-670, taking about 8h 55m. This corridor follows the major highway connection between the two cities and is optimized for travel time.

Are there alternative routes from Kansas City to Denver?

Yes, 2 routing options exist between Kansas City and Denver. Alternatives have similar total distance but use different road segments — useful if the primary corridor has heavy traffic or construction.

Does the route from Kansas City to Denver include tolls?

No, the fastest driving route from Kansas City to Denver stays on toll-free public roads. Alternative routes may use different segments — check each route's summary above.

How much fuel does it take to drive from Kansas City to Denver?

A standard car at 30 mpg uses approximately 20 gallons (81 liters) of fuel for the 604-mile (972-km) drive from Kansas City to Denver. At $3.50 per gallon that is roughly $70 in fuel cost; less efficient vehicles or higher local fuel prices will increase this proportionally.

How do I navigate from Kansas City to Denver?

Use the "Open this route in your nav app" buttons above the journey guide to launch turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze. Each link pre-fills Kansas City as the origin and Denver as the destination, so navigation begins as soon as the app opens.