Tulsa to Kansas City road trip: Distance, time & best stops

Planning a Tulsa to Kansas City road trip itinerary

The Tulsa to Kansas City drive takes you from the oil hub of Oklahoma to the Missouri River.

Tulsa’s big ticket attraction is the Philbrook Museum of Art, but you’ll get more of a local cultural education at the Woody Guthrie Center.

Alternatively, the Tulsa Air and Space Museum has a decent planetarium and Gathering Place is a great park with play areas on the Arkansas River. The classic photo stop, though, is at the enormous Golden Driller Statue.

For Tulsa accommodation deals, hunt here.

Technically two cities spread over two different states, Kansas City has a rich cultural heritage. The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and American Jazz Museum show this off. Other top attractions include the National World I Memorial and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

Good experiences in Kansas City include an indulgent food tour of the city’s best BBQ joints, Segway tours, the Sealife Aquarium and wine-tasting trips.

Memorable Kansas City accommodation includes the colonial-style Truitt Hotel and the stylish, art-filled 21C Museum Hotel.

Tulsa to Kansas City distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Tulsa to Kansas City is 241 miles. You can expect a driving time of around three hours and 58 minutes. The quickest route is usually along the US-169.

The best stops to add to a Tulsa to Kansas City road trip itinerary are Funtastic Island, Independence KS and the Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum.

Tulsa to Kansas City road trip attractions: Funtastic Island

Funtastic Island in Owasso OK is essentially a large, well-equipped playground, but it’s a perfect stop with children in tow. Bring clothes that can get wet, as the water features are the best aspect.

Best stops between Tulsa and Kansas City: Independence KS

The highlight of Independence KS is the Riverside Park, which is home to the Ralph Mitchell Zoo. The park offers a large playground, train rides, a carousel and miniature golf. The zoo, meanwhile, is most famous for the monkeys that live on Monkey Island. Entry to both is free.

Tulsa to Kansas City drive: Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum

The Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum in Chanute KS is one of those gloriously old-fashioned museums based on the collections of adventurers. Martin and Osa Johnson were documentary-makers who headed off to remote parts of the planet, bringing back all manner of oddities. The films are on show in the theatre, and there’s extensive expedition photography on the walls.

Kansas City, Missouri.
Kansas City, Missouri. Photo by Webherpet/ Pixabay.

More Tulsa road trips

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More Kansas City road trips

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