When taking a road trip to Vegas, the drive is part of the fun. If your journey starts in Kansas City, Missouri, be prepared for a long drive and many unique sights through Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and finally Nevada. The cherry on top? Your Kansas City to Las Vegas drive ends with plenty of excitement in the city to make up for the long trip!
Pack your bags, rally the troops, and fill the tank, because we have all the road trip recommendations to embark on the best Kansas City to Las Vegas drive.
Taking a Kansas City to Las Vegas road trip can be a long trek in one day or divided between two or three days – depending on if you decide to take your time at road trip stops along the way or not. The Kansas City to Las Vegas distance is approximately 1,349 miles through Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada via the I-70 W. Be prepared, some toll roads may be on the map on the Kansas Turnpike! With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the road trip takes approximately 20 hours to complete.
If possible, avoid starting the Kansas City to Las Vegas drive on Thursday through Sunday, the most popular driving days. Instead, leave on less-popular driving days such as Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday when traffic tends to be lighter than the hustle and bustle of weekend driving. Allow for longer drive times if you plan on traveling to the city for Las Vegas events or during the holidays. No matter where you’re driving from or which day of the week, the traffic is sure to pick up closer to the city.
Before you fully set out on the road for your Kansas City to Las Vegas drive, get some fresh air at Lake Shawnee. Twice named one of the top travel destinations in Kansas, Lake Shawnee offers parks, gardens, and more.
If you’re interested in fossils and the natural history of Earth, Sternberg Museum is a great place to visit on your road trip. Make a visit to see the extensive collection of fossils from Fort Hays State University’s collection.
Kansas is known as the Sunflower State, and Goodland, Kansas is proud to show off their beautiful flowers. The steel easel stands at 80 feet tall, and features a 32×24-foot representation of one of Van Gogh’s “Sunflower” paintings.
Between 1885 and the 1930s, nearly 2500 wood-carved carousels existed in America. The Kit Carson County Carousel is one of the remaining carousels and one of the best maintained. It is still fully operational and has the original paint!
As you get closer to the halfway point on your Kansas City to Las Vegas drive, you might be craving a good meal. This diner actually made a trek from North Dakota and was rebuilt in Colorado. Thank goodness, because the food is great.
The Molly Brown House Museum was the home of American philanthropist, activist, and socialite Margaret Brown. Brown was known as “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” because she survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic.
Road trips can be hard on your back, and hot springs can help. Situated alongside the beautiful Colorado River in Glenwood Springs and surrounded by the Rockies views, these geothermal soaking pools are a tranquil rest stop.
Sego Canyon contains rock art from three different Native American cultures: Fremont, Ute and Barrier-style. Whether you’re a history buff or not, it is still fascinating to see this well-preserved art carved right into the rocks.
Cove Fort served as an important way station for travelers, the Pony Express, and telegraph lines from 1867 to the early 1880s. Today, Cove Fort has been restored as a historical site. Though temporarily closed, keep an eye out for tours.
Yes, another diner! If you didn’t get a chance to stop at the I-70 Diner, or if you want another round of diner food, Peggy’s is a fun road trip stop. Filled with 50’s memorabilia and homemade food, you can’t go wrong with this meal.
Some say life isn’t only about the destination, it’s about the journey. If you’re planning your next trip to Las Vegas, consider hitting the road and making an adventure out of it.
