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Getting Around in KC

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Commute Time?

84 percent of Kansas Citians report a commute of less than 30 minutes.

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Transportation Profile
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Getting Around in KC

With highways heading to every corner of the city and nonstop flights to most major cities, painlessly getting from Point A to Point B is one of KC’s top lifestyle perks.

It’s not uncommon for Kansas Citians to cross the Kansas/Missouri state line multiple times a day. Luckily, the many highways keep commute times to a minimum.

• Interstate 70 – The primary east-west artery. Takes you to Eastern Jackson County suburbs including Independence, Lee’s Summit and Blue Springs to the east, and across the state line to Kansas City, Kansas, the Kansas Speedway and on to Lawrence and Topeka to the west.

• Interstate 35 – The primary north-south artery. Leads to northern suburbs of North Kansas City, Gladstone and Liberty and south into Johnson County, Kansas.

• Interstate 29 – The third major interstate in the area. Splits off of I-35 north of downtown and takes you to Kansas City International Airport and on to St. Joseph, Missouri.

• Highway 71 – Secondary north-south artery from downtown Kansas City, Missouri, into the southeast suburbs of Grandview, Belton and Raymore.

• Interstate 435 – One of two arteries that take you around the entire city. This can be a great way to bypass congestion on Interstates 35 and 70 during rush hour, especially on the north end. The southeast end is the most heavily traveled, marked by the Grandview Triangle where I-435, I-470 and Highway 71 meet.

• Interstate 635 – The younger sister to I-435, takes you on a shorter loop linking the south and north ends of the metro. Primarily serves to connect Interstate 29 and Interstate 35.

• Interstate 470 – Another secondary loop that serves to connect I-435 and I-70 on the southeast side of town. Leads to the suburb of Lee’s Summit.

Mass Transit

As easy as it is to get around, the majority of Kansas Citians prefer to drive their own cars. For everyone else, Kansas City has two primary bus lines – The Metro and The Jo.

Cab service is available metro-wide from a number of different companies. Immediate service is primarily found at Kansas City International Airport and downtown hotels.

Note: Kansas City, Missouri voters approved a proposed light rail system plan in November 2006. The Kansas City Council is looking into a feasible way to fund and execute the plan.

Ready for a road trip?

KC’s central location allows for a short trip to other Midwest destinations. In two hours or less, residents can be in Columbia, Missouri, or Lawrence, Kansas, cheering on their favorite college team.

Not into college sports? KC is an eight-hour drive from Chicago’s Michigan Avenue, Denver’s snow-covered peaks and Dallas’ two-steppin’ nightlife.

Airports

• Kansas City International Airport (KCI)
  Nonstop flights to a large variety of destinations and the ability to be on either coast in just three hours. Thirteen major airlines fly out of KCI more than 200 times a day, and for every 1,000 flights, KCI has less than one delay. Other perks include gates that are literally steps from the curb, wi-fi internet access, and three baggage claim areas for stress-free arrivals.
• Downtown Airport
  The Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport opened in 1927 as a commercial airport just to the south of downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Today, the airport primarily serves corporate, charter and recreational flyers. Up to 700 aircraft take off or land at the airport each a day. Fixed-base operators service nearly 300 based aircraft, as well as itinerant and charter aircraft, offering fuel, full maintenance, aircraft rentals, sales and flight training.
• Johnson County Executive Airport
  Located between the Kansas suburbs of Overland Park and Olathe, this airport serves corporate, business, and general aviation users. In addition to all standard aircraft services, airport businesses offer air charter, aircraft sales, and flight instruction services from smaller single-engine aircraft up to corporate jets.