Meta Description: Road trip itinerary from Chicago to Kansas City. Info on total road trip time, mileage, places to visit, explore & much more!
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A Chicago to Kansas City road trip will require you to drive the RV across four cities where the shortest route traverses through two counties before reaching the destination. More cities mean more varieties of roadside attractions. Typically a Chicago to Kansas City RV road trip requires you to make stops every hour or two, thus totaling three stops on the first day and two on the second drive. Another aspect of this trip includes munching on the best burgers at RV friendly campground parks, taking a selfie with Mark Twain, and checking out the home to a Hollywood legend, John Wayne.
Road Trip Itinerary From Chicago To Kansas City
- Trip length: Assuming you are two people in an RV, it’ll take you two days.
- Mileage: An express drive from Chicago City to Kansas City is some 515 miles.
- Fun fact: Iowa, a state you will drive through on the Chicago to Kansas City RV road trip, was found in 2013 to have a hog population of twenty-one million while the number of residents barely totaled to three million. That is seven hogs for every individual living in Iowa.
Nearby National Parks
This Midwestern Chicago to Kansas City RV road trip does not offer much in terms of national parks, but depending on the route you choose, there are recreation parks in the vicinity to be enjoyed.
While there are no national parks closest to this route, here is a list of all the parks you can plan to visit someday.
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State Parks Along The Way
The Starved Rock State Park
Situated some four miles or eight minutes from the road trip itinerary Chicago To Kansas City, this state park is considered the top attraction in Illinois. You might want to skip hiking on this first site and instead enjoy the water followed by a history lesson, not necessarily in that order. There are 3 rivers to choose from, and on these waterways, visitors get more options such as canoes, kayaks, fishing, and boat rides. More water fun can be had at the fourteen waterfalls located within Park Starve Rock. As a driver, make sure you don’t tire yourself because there is a long way to go on the road trip from Chicago to Kansas City. On the other hand, your companions can have as much physical activity as possible because the park features hunting and rides on horses. Depending on the season, trippers may get to participate in climbing on ice and skiing. When we mentioned a history lesson, we meant a tour through the historic mansion from the Victorian period, the museum LaSalle, and Reddick’s mansion. This kind of tour is mentally stimulating and will make you more attentive on the road ahead. For more details about Starved Rock, visit the detailed recommendations by RVshare.
The Rock Creek State Park
This one will shave off a few minutes off highway I-80, but the lake activities here are worth it. Visitors bringing their RV to Rock Creek can expect a can camp on the shores of the lake, ride horses through the endless trails, fish something for dinner while at the same time enjoying a swim or a boat ride. Adventurous trippers can take up hunting because there is firewood for sale if you want to roast your find. The camping facility is well equipped to meet the needs of your RVshare rented RV, whether you need the internet or a docking station. When you make the trip during snow season, activities will include skiing and riding around in snowmobiles. For more info about parks in the area, check out the state park list by RVshare.
The Walnut Woods State Park
Located at the center of the city of Des Moines, the Walnut Woods State Park is an appropriate resting point on your Chicago to Kansas City RV road trip. Unlike other state parks that close on specific dates in an annual calendar, this one is open to RV trippers all year round. Even though it offers similar activities as other state parks, the equestrian trail here is an experience every tripper should try out just for the therapeutic benefits. Take a chance to spend the night here because technically, it is about halfway through your road trip. There is a dump station and the standard features necessary for an RV camping. To plan, check out the other state parks in Iowa compared to this one, and you might get a discount or promotional offer for booking online in advance.
The Elk Rock State Park
So far, on your road trip itinerary Chicago to Kansas City, you’ve done some water fun, historical tours, and picnic, and now it’s time to add a few things by visiting Elk Rock. The additional activities will include horse riding, ample space for your RV, a playground for children, a walk in the woods, wildlife spotting, and more boat riding on the Red Rock lake. The Elk Rock is only 26 minutes from I-80, which is about 22 miles and some thirty-seven minutes or 38 miles to the heart of Des Moines, where you will take the I-35 to Kansas City. Another feature of the place is that it’s wheelchair friendly, so feel free to comfortably camp. They also offer facilities without electricity for trippers who are looking for the off-grid experience. In case you want a detailed breakdown of this state park, there is one on the RVshare recommendations page.
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Points Of Interest
The Institute And Museum For International Wrestling
Many people enjoy wrestling on the screen but rarely get behind-the-scenes experience, and this stop is meant to offer just that. Apart from a tour explaining the sport’s history, you get a chance to learn a few moves, but don’t go using them just yet. Such an experience is meant to boost your confidence.
John Wayne Birthplace Museum
John Wayne was a Hollywood legend and beloved by movie fans worldwide, and few people get an opportunity to step into the humble childhood home of an A-list movie star. Here you will get a chance to take pictures with actual props used in classics such as True Grit, Stagecoach, among many more that John Wayne worked on. This stop on your Chicago to Kansas City RV road trip will fire up your love for old cinema and cement respect for show business people. The visit is much more surreal if you happen to be a fan.
Speedway Iowa
Unless there are any special events, this asphalt speedway is open all year round, so bring your children and companions to the facility and enjoy watching cars drive fast. This space can hold a crowd of 30 thousand NASCAR fans, and if you’re lucky, you may get there in the middle of a motorsport competition.
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Main Cities You’ll Pass Through
Aurora, IL
Regarding the number two on the ranks of Illinois state cities, Aurora will accommodate your RV in 13 available camping areas. The top-ranked of these include an RV resort known as Sycamore and the forest reserve Big Rock. As for the rest, it’s a tie of reviews between camping grounds Martin and Hollywood Casino Joliet. The rest of the RV camping offerings, such as the Yogi Bear, contain extra features like dump stations.
Springfield, IL
When you use the I-55, it takes you through the city of Springfield. You can find some accommodating RV campgrounds, but the main attraction is President Lincoln’s historical places. Even if you don’t stay there long, make sure to snap a photo or two at that public museum.
Des Moines, Iowa
The shortest route on the road trip itinerary Chicago to Kansas City takes you through Des Moines. The city offers practical campgrounds to relax and spend the night. It is interesting to note that it’s closer to one of the points of interest referred to as Alphabet Heads. Another beautiful point of interest found here is the Iowa State Capitol. It is such a magnificent photogenic monument. Just 30 minutes from the city’s center is Elk Rock, a state park that offers ample RV parking and dump stations.
Missouri City, Hannibal
This city has one of the finest RV campgrounds experiences named Mark Twain. Apart from the cave at that park, there are other points of interest, such as the memorial lighthouse, and it won’t hurt to stand next to Mark Twain’s statue and immortalize that moment in a photograph. If you’re a fan, go check out the house of John Garth. This city can keep a road tripper busy, but the catch is that you have to use the I-72 route instead.
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Managing a successful Chicago to Kansas City RV road trip can only be done by consulting the professionals. Experts such as RVshare have one mission: to make your road trip a once in a lifetime experience. For the service, you can use the RV rental tool on their site to get a more accurate road trip itinerary from Chicago to Kansas City. If you require an RV for the trip, there are affordable choices found in Kansas City, and even individuals in Chicago can access RV rental services. However, don’t feel left behind if you have an RV just parked somewhere because you can learn more about listing your travel vehicle on RVshare and earn passively.
