Car Rental in Kansas City

Why rent a car in Kansas City?

Kansas City (not St. Louis) is the largest city in Missouri. Located on the western side of the state along the border of Kansas, it is famous for its Barbeque but has much more to offer. You could easily spend a week in the city. Of course, there's lots more nearby to see and do. And as is the case with most American cities, a car is the best way to get around. 

Top ways to enter Kansas City

Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is the best way to reach the city. It has connections with cities around the country. There are plenty of rental cars available for rental companies at the airport. You only need to hop on a quick shuttle to get to them. The airport is about 18 miles northwest of downtown. 

You may think about flying into St. Louis. This is also an option, but it's a 4-hour drive from there to Kansas City crossing the entire state of Missouri. 

Amtrak serves Kansas City's Union Station with the Southwest Chief traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles (and vice versa). 

You can also easily reach the city by car. I-70 passes through the city with St. Louis to the east and Kansas and Denver to the west. I-35 comes from Oklahoma and Dallas from the south and continues to Des Moines and Minneapolis in the north. I-29 connects the city with Omaha, Des Moines, and Fargo. Finally, I-49 goes south to Arkansas. 

City facts

Kansas City is (surprisingly to some) in Missouri and not Kansas. There's a smaller Kansas City just on the other side of the state border (and in the same metro conglomeration). 

Expect cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers in Kansas City being right in the middle of the continent. 

Top sights and activities

Catch a Game - The Kansas City Royals of the MLB and the Cheifs of the NFL play in the city. Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, and the Cheifs have been perennial contenders lately.

Museums - There are plenty of unique museums to take in. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is a great one for sports fans, as is the College Basketball Hall of Fame. Music lovers will enjoy the American Jazz Museum. There's plenty for history and art aficionados too. 

Drive Along Ward Parkway - Just south of the Mission Hills Country Club, the parkway is a tree-lined boulevard with houses belonging to the city's elite. You'll see grand houses of all different styles. 

Toll roads

There aren't any toll roads in Kansas City. There's a bridge (the Bridge of the Ozarks) in the Ozarks that is tolled, but you can pay in cash. You're unlikely to encounter any electronic-only tolling anywhere near Kansas City. 

Ideas for day trips

The Ozarks - Made even more famous by the Netflix show, the lakes of the Ozarks are a great place to go to in the summer. And they're just a two and half hour's drive southeast of Kansas City.

Branson -  Perhaps a bit tacky, Branson is still a place that is worth the drive. Catch one of the many shows or go shopping. The Branson Scenic Railroad is also a highlight. 

Kansas - It's right there, so you might as well cross the border and visit some parts of the state. The liberal college town of Lawrence is very close and Topeka isn't much farther away. 

Further destinations

Kansas City is a great place to start a road trip through the Midwest. You can easily drive west through the plains of Kansas to Colorado and eventually to the Rocky Mountains. To the northwest is the lovely city of Omaha. Iowa is to the north, and Arkansas is to the south. It's all within reach, and all worth the driving. 

Car rental prices in Kansas City

• Small cars - from $82 per day
• Medium cars - from $80 per day
• Large cars - from $58 per day
• SUVs - from $60 per day
• Premium cars - from $87 per day
• Vans - from $76 per day
• Convertibles - from $213 per day