Alright so you are headed from Kansas City to Tampa or perhaps the other direction from Tampa to Kansas City. Well this Missouri to Florida road trip guide is here to help you plan your stops and get there in one piece. It is a long drive to be sure, but worth it!
The good news is many of the cities you drive through are full of fun things to do and see should you choose to stop at them. I am going to write this post from the direction of Kansas City, Missouri.
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Cities:
- Kansas City, MO
- Columbia, MO
- St. Louis, MO
- Nashville, TN
- Chattanooga, TN
- Atlanta, GA
- Gainesville, FL
- Tampa, FL
Activities and Highlights
- Beaches
- Waterfalls
- Monuments
- Aquariums
- Good Food
- Country Music
Driving Distance and Time
The driving distance from Kansas City, Missouri to Tampa, Florida is 1,259 miles. The drive time for this trip without stops is 18 hours and 40 minutes.
Of course you will be making stops for gas, food and to use the restroom so make sure you budget in more time to fit your needs. Our stops take a while because we currently have a 1 year old baby and we usually bring our dog with us since we are visiting my parents.
Road tripping with a baby is very doable but does have its own complications. Don’t be afraid to try different things to make it work for your family.
Our Missouri to Florida Road Trip
On the last trip we drove through each way only stopping for the night after driving a little over halfway the first day. We did a small amount of sightseeing in Atlanta before driving the second day to stretch our legs. Luckily we’ve made the trip multiple times and I have suggestions for many of the stops along the way.
I’ll go through each city highlighting a few things that are in each place so that if you turn this drive into a more classic road trip you’ll know all the best things to do all along the way.
Kansas City, MO
First up is Kansas City, MO, a fun city on the western side of Missouri. There is in fact a Kansas City, Missouri and a Kansas City, Kansas and the cities are kind of treated as one. There is a lot to do in Kansas City like museums and outdoor experiences.
The number one thing you have to do while in Missouri though, is try the BBQ. It is an absolutely delicious treat with staples like ribs, pulled pork and wings as well as unique items like burnt ends. The top two places I recommend trying are Jack Stacks BBQ and Kansas City Joe’s. Ribs from Kansas City Joe’s are my favorite and the fire kissed wings from Jack Stacks are my husband’s favorite but you really can’t go wrong with anything.
If you have the time, head downtown and check out Union Station and the Nelson Atkins Art Museum. Both are iconic sights to see in Kansas City. The Nelson Atkins museum is free to the public (any exhibits cost money though) and the grounds are a beautiful place to walk when the weather is nice. Union Station is a still functioning train station that also hosts a variety of exhibits, pop up museums and events.
If you have more time to spend in Kansas City or are looking for other things to do, check out this post on things to do in Kansas City.
Columbia, MO
You may or may not want to stop in Columbia, Missouri because it is only two hours away. If you do need to stop though, it is a great place. Home to the University of Missouri there are two main attractions here: art and nature.
The most notable museum is the Museum of Art and Archeology full of antiques and artifacts from ancient civilizations. Plus entry into the museum is free although donations are always appreciated if you are able.
There are several places to go to enjoy the outdoors in Columbia such as Rock Bridge Memorial State Park or Stephens Lake Park. You can hike, bike, skate and really just explore and stretch your legs. A unique sight to see outdoors is the BoatHenge. It is a replica of Stonehenge but made out of boats! Definitely a sight to behold. The BoatHenge can be found along the Katy Trail.
St. Louis, MO
St. Louis, Missouri is on the eastern side of Missouri almost exactly 4 hours from Kansas City. The first thing that comes to most people’s minds when they think of St Louis is probably The Gateway Arch and you should definitely visit it while you are driving through.
The Arch is a monument erected as a symbol of America’s westward expansion. Which has fittingly given St. Louis the nickname of the gateway to the West. Tickets range from $12-$35 dollars depending on what you get included but it is well worth seeing the view from the top.
You can get tickets online on their website.
My favorite thing to do when I visit St. Louis is to go to the City Museum which isn’t so much a museum as it is a giant jungle gym for kids and adults alike! The whole museum is made from recycled city parts that have been given new life. This is the perfect road trip stop because you can burn off energy while seeing something new and super unique.
You can get tickets online at citymuseum.org.
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Nashville, TN
This Missouri to Florida road trip takes you right through the home of country music, Nashville, TN itself. If you are a country music fan like we are then make sure you add the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to your list of stops.
You can snag tickets ahead of time online!
If you aren’t a country music fan or maybe you like seeing ancient grecian architecture. There is a replica Parthenon in Nashville that you can visit. It was built in 1897 for Tennesse’s Centennial Exposition. It is large and beautiful and very worth a stop to see it.
Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga is only a couple hours further than Nashville but it is well worth the stop! Plus this is the halfway point of the trip and that is worth celebrating. Chattanooga is home to the Tennessee Aquarium. Come see turtles, otters, sharks, penguins and more. If your family loves animals you’re sure to have a blast at the aquarium.
Chattanooga, Tennessee and the surrounding area is ripe with waterfalls! I always love a good waterfall and a small hike is a great way to stretch your legs. A popular sight is Lookout Mountain (or Rock City). Home to a 100 foot tall waterfall and “Lover’s Point” from which you can see 7 states at once. You can buy entry tickets online, there is a sizable admissions fee to enter, so be aware.
If you are looking for something less expensive or less touristy then here are a few other waterfall options.
- Foster Falls: This waterfall adds very little time to the drive, is rated moderate and dog friendly.
- Lula Falls: These falls are on conservation land and are only open to the public a few days per month to minimize impact. Check your dates to see if they are open.
- Greeter Falls: In between Nashville and Chattanooga, Greeter Falls fits nicely into this road trip.
- Falling Water Falls
- Fall Creek Falls: This adds a little bit of time to your trip but it is the highest free-falling waterfall in the Eastern U.S.
- Ozone Falls
Atlanta, GA
There is A LOT to do in Atlanta. Last time we made this drive we chose to stop in Atlanta for a few hours. We went walking in Piedmont Park which offers stunningly beautiful views of the downtown Atlanta skyline. Then we walked on the Belt Line Trail to Ponce City Market for lunch. Ponce City Market is a food hall and shopping center with tons of boutique shops and delicious restaurants. I ate at Bottiwalla and had the chicken tikka wrap which was delicious.
That option is a good one to stretch your legs but you could also go to the Georgia Aquarium if you didn’t go in Chattanooga. The aquarium is large and amazing, my husband cannot stop raving about it.
Other popular options for stops in Atlanta are the Botanical Gardens, the World of Coca-cola, the High Museum of Art and the zoo. Just take your pick!
Gainesville, FL
Gainesville, Florida is home to the University of Florida but there are several fun things to do there that aren’t just for college kids. For my friends on a budget (like us) then the Florida Museum of Natural History is perfect for you! It is free to visit, only a couple special exhibits cost money, but it is still an awesome place to visit. They have dinosaur bones, a living butterfly rainforest and artifacts from indiginous tribes just to name a few things.
If you would rather experience an outdoor activity then head to Ichetucknee Springs State Park. Gainesville may not have beaches but this spring is a great place to swim, snorkel and even SCUBA DIVE! You can also tube, canoe, kayak or paddleboard if you want to.
Or take a peak on the unique side and visit the Morningside Nature Center of Florida. Not only are there beautiful hiking trails but it is home to a living history farm. All chores are done by hand with period appropriate equipment. Visitors can take a tour, feed the livestock and try on period clothing. All it costs is donated fruits and veggies for the livestock if you can.
The address is 3540 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32641, USA.
Tampa, FL
Ah, You’ve finally made it to Tampa! That sure was a long drive but hopefully you had fun along the way. It would be a disservice to you if I left out things to do in Tampa. The Riverwalk downtown takes you by many great options like Curtis Hixon Park, several different museums and Armature Works, a food hall with amazing options.
Unlike Gainesville, Tampa has AMAZING beach options. Make sure you bring your swimsuit because you could spend your whole trip beach hopping from Clearwater, to St. Pete Beach, to Anna Maria Island.
Check out this post for more fun things to do in Tampa!
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Details about a Missouri to Florida Road Trip
Almost exactly halfway between Kansas City and Tampa is Chattanooga, Tennessee. So if you are trying to make it to your halfway point of the road trip then that makes the perfect stopping point. Nashville and Atlanta are nicely positioned on either side so that if you need (or want) to go more than halfway one day you can.
According to roadtripcost.com, a great road trip cost estimating website, the current estimated cost of gas for a Kansas City to Tampa road trip is $160. That is based on the gas prices in 2021 so make sure you check for yourself for the updated amount.
Finally, don’t forget about the one hour time change!
Florida to Missouri Road Trip
Don’t forget, all you have to do if you are driving from Florida to Missouri is take the stops in reverse! This route takes you on major highways and is the route that Google Maps says is the fastest. I know you’ll have a great time no matter how many or few of these stops you decide to take. Make this Kansas City to Tampa road trip awesome in your own way and share your experience in the comments.
See you all in Tampa (or Kansas City)!
