Road trip from Kansas City to Madison
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Fun & Games
Museums
Nightlife
Outdoor Activities
Sights & Landmarks
Shopping
Nature & Parks
Spas & Wellness
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ITINERARY
9h 13m473 miles19 stops
1
Howl at the Moon Kansas City
Howl at the Moon Kansas City is the hottest spot in the Power and Light District! Our high-energy dueling pianos and amazing events make us the coolest spot for Kansas City nightlife! From company functions to happy hour with friends to bachelorette parties in Kansas City, the party is always at Howl at the Moon come and see us.
2
Museum of Illusions
Enter the fascinating world of illusion which will trick your confidence in senses, but amaze you by doing so; the world that will both: educate and confuse you completely. Visit us and you will be thrilled because nothing is what it seems, especially not in the Museum of Illusions! Are you ready for a fascinating adventure? We offer you an intriguing visual, sensual and educational experience.
3
Line Creek Trail
4
Game Show Battle Rooms
You're IN the Game Show! Game Show Battle Rooms is one of the nation's only immersive game show experiences for everyone to enjoy. Face-off against your friends, family, or coworkers in our custom arenas playing classic game shows! All hosted by our entertaining and engaging hosts. Perfect for your next birthday party, friend or family outing, or your next corporate team-building event!
5
Fitness Sports
Iowa's first Specialty Running & Walking store with a emphasis on personal service. Ou r stone motto is "Where You have the Right to B-Fit". Est. in 1984.
6
Brenton Skating Plaza
7
Capitol Building
8
Dragon's Lair Family Adventure Center
Immerse yourself in your favorite video game for real. Play classic games like capture the flag, defuse the bomb and VIP. To name a few of our ever growing selection of games. Test out our realistic weapons and wireless sensors. They will put you in the middle of the action. Come and experience the Lair.
9
Nick's Bar & Grill
Nick's Bar & Grill, in Cedar Rapids, IA, is the premier restaurant serving Hiawatha, Marion, Fairfax, Palo, Atkins and surrounding areas since 2014. We offer burgers, soups, salads, appetizers, pizza, skillets, a full bar, 14 flatscreen televisions, dart boards, electronic gaming and much more. For your next meal, visit Nick's Bar & Grill in Cedar Rapids.
10
Islamic Center of Cedar Rapids
11
Ellis Park Golf Course
12
Gilded Pear Gallery
Gilded Pear Gallery is a full service contemporary art gallery in Cedar Rapids, IA. The gallery features over 70 artists across varying media including jewelry and fine crafts as well as rotating exhibitions every 6-8 weeks. We specialize in corporate and residential art consultation-installation, framing, art appraisals, and more. View our website to learn more about our artists and services or visit the gallery to see an exhibit!
13
Indian Creek Nature Center
14
Spare Time Cedar Rapids
NOW OPEN: Spare Time is bringing Games, Lanes, Food, and Fun to Cedar Rapids, Iowa! Our newest location features luxury bowling, arcade games, laser tag, escape rooms, restaurant, bars, and more!
15
GoFree Escape Rooms
GoFree Escape Rooms is home to independent, locally designed live adventure games in which players work together to solve a series of puzzles, clues, and riddles to complete an assigned mission.
16
First Unitarian Meeting House of Madison
17
Alliant Energy Center
Our premier downtown multi-venue complex features four unique and versatile venues: Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Exhibition Hall, the New Holland Pavilions, and Willow Island. A top choice for expositions, conventions, meetings, concerts, sporting events, ag events, and much more, the Alliant Energy Center complex is a one-stop-shop for all your events. Ample parking, mouthwatering catering, dedicated staff, and a full range of rental equipment & high speed internet make AEC an event planners delight!
18
Washburn Observatory
19
KOSA Spa
KOSA Spa provides a sanctuary; a place to retreat, to nourish body, mind, and spirit, and in so doing reconnect with one’s best self. KOSA Spa blends wellness best practices from the 5,000-year-old Indian tradition of Ayurveda with seasonal, organic, Wisconsin-sourced ingredients and artisanal products. KOSA Spa’s offerings include customized wellness balancing plans; treatments, including Abhyanga, Shirodhara, Pinda Sweda, Massage, and Facials; and personal retreats that include access to our hot-stone sauna, aromatherapy hydro-steam room, meditation studio, sanctuary lounge, and organic, Ayurvedic teas and foods.
Customize this Trip
OVERVIEW
Kansas City to Madison
1
Start:Howl at the Moon Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri·
4.5
(96) review
Howl at the Moon Kansas City is the hottest spot in the Power and Light District! Our high-energy dueling pianos and amazing events make us the coolest spot for Kansas City nightlife! From company functions to happy hour with friends to bachelorette parties in Kansas City, the party is always at Howl at the Moon come and see us.
2
Start:Museum of Illusions
Kansas City, Missouri·
4.5
(88) review
Enter the fascinating world of illusion which will trick your confidence in senses, but amaze you by doing so; the world that will both: educate and confuse you completely. Visit us and you will be thrilled because nothing is what it seems, especially not in the Museum of Illusions! Are you ready for a fascinating adventure? We offer you an intriguing visual, sensual and educational experience.
3
Start:Line Creek Trail
Kansas City, Missouri·
5.0
(9) review
2699 NW 60th St, Kansas City, MO 64151
4
Start:Game Show Battle Rooms
Overland Park, Kansas·
4.5
(9) review
You're IN the Game Show! Game Show Battle Rooms is one of the nation's only immersive game show experiences for everyone to enjoy. Face-off against your friends, family, or coworkers in our custom arenas playing classic game shows! All hosted by our entertaining and engaging hosts. Perfect for your next birthday party, friend or family outing, or your next corporate team-building event!
5
Start:Fitness Sports
Des Moines, Iowa·
5.0
(9) review
Iowa's first Specialty Running & Walking store with a emphasis on personal service. Ou r stone motto is "Where You have the Right to B-Fit". Est. in 1984.
6
Start:Brenton Skating Plaza
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(9) review
520 Robert D Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309-1824
7
Start:Capitol Building
Des Moines, Iowa·
5.0
(890) review
1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50319-1001
8
Start:Dragon's Lair Family Adventure Center
Cedar Rapids, Iowa·
4.5
(8) review
Immerse yourself in your favorite video game for real. Play classic games like capture the flag, defuse the bomb and VIP. To name a few of our ever growing selection of games. Test out our realistic weapons and wireless sensors. They will put you in the middle of the action. Come and experience the Lair.
9
Start:Nick's Bar & Grill
Cedar Rapids, Iowa·
4.0
(7) review
Nick's Bar & Grill, in Cedar Rapids, IA, is the premier restaurant serving Hiawatha, Marion, Fairfax, Palo, Atkins and surrounding areas since 2014. We offer burgers, soups, salads, appetizers, pizza, skillets, a full bar, 14 flatscreen televisions, dart boards, electronic gaming and much more. For your next meal, visit Nick's Bar & Grill in Cedar Rapids.
10
Start:Islamic Center of Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, Iowa·
4.5
(6) review
2999 1st Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405-4521
11
Start:Ellis Park Golf Course
Cedar Rapids, Iowa·
3.5
(7) review
1401 Zika Ave NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405-1257
12
Start:Gilded Pear Gallery
Cedar Rapids, Iowa·
5.0
(5) review
Gilded Pear Gallery is a full service contemporary art gallery in Cedar Rapids, IA. The gallery features over 70 artists across varying media including jewelry and fine crafts as well as rotating exhibitions every 6-8 weeks. We specialize in corporate and residential art consultation-installation, framing, art appraisals, and more. View our website to learn more about our artists and services or visit the gallery to see an exhibit!
13
Start:Indian Creek Nature Center
Cedar Rapids, Iowa·
4.5
(63) review
5300 Otis Rd SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
14
Start:Spare Time Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, Iowa·
3.0
(5) review
NOW OPEN: Spare Time is bringing Games, Lanes, Food, and Fun to Cedar Rapids, Iowa! Our newest location features luxury bowling, arcade games, laser tag, escape rooms, restaurant, bars, and more!
15
Start:GoFree Escape Rooms
Cedar Rapids, Iowa·
5.0
(5) review
GoFree Escape Rooms is home to independent, locally designed live adventure games in which players work together to solve a series of puzzles, clues, and riddles to complete an assigned mission.
16
Start:First Unitarian Meeting House of Madison
Madison, Wisconsin·
4.5
(96) review
900 University Bay Dr, Madison, WI 53705-2298
17
Start:Alliant Energy Center
Madison, Wisconsin·
4.0
(99) review
Our premier downtown multi-venue complex features four unique and versatile venues: Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Exhibition Hall, the New Holland Pavilions, and Willow Island. A top choice for expositions, conventions, meetings, concerts, sporting events, ag events, and much more, the Alliant Energy Center complex is a one-stop-shop for all your events. Ample parking, mouthwatering catering, dedicated staff, and a full range of rental equipment & high speed internet make AEC an event planners delight!
18
Start:Washburn Observatory
Madison, Wisconsin·
4.5
(9) review
1401 Observatory Dr, Madison, WI 53706-1209
19
Start:KOSA Spa
Madison, Wisconsin·
5.0
(9) review
KOSA Spa provides a sanctuary; a place to retreat, to nourish body, mind, and spirit, and in so doing reconnect with one’s best self. KOSA Spa blends wellness best practices from the 5,000-year-old Indian tradition of Ayurveda with seasonal, organic, Wisconsin-sourced ingredients and artisanal products. KOSA Spa’s offerings include customized wellness balancing plans; treatments, including Abhyanga, Shirodhara, Pinda Sweda, Massage, and Facials; and personal retreats that include access to our hot-stone sauna, aromatherapy hydro-steam room, meditation studio, sanctuary lounge, and organic, Ayurvedic teas and foods.
CHECKLIST
GPS device or app
Download Offline Map
Car charger and portable battery
Water bottles and snacks
Travel pillow and blanket
Sunglasses and sunscreen
First-aid kit
Trash bags
Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
Driver’s license and vehicle registration
Cash and cards
Camera or smartphone
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the driving distance between Kansas City and Madison?
The distance is 473 miles
What's the travel time between Kansas City and Madison?
The driving time can vary depending on traffic conditions, but it is typically 9h 13m mins in normal traffic
What are some of the best cities to visit between Kansas City and Madison?
Some popular stops include
Are there any cool sights or attractions I shouldn't miss on my drive to Madison?
There are plenty! Here are some stops you shouldn’t miss on your way to Madison
What’s the weather like in Madison?
The weather in Madison is generally mild year-round, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. See the links below for more information
Weather in Madison in January
Weather in Madison in February
Weather in Madison in March
Weather in Madison in April
Weather in Madison in May
Weather in Madison in June
Weather in Madison in July
Weather in Madison in August
Weather in Madison in September
Weather in Madison in October
Weather in Madison in November
Weather in Madison in December
Interested in a detailed plan for your time in Madison?
Plan your dream Madison trip with our daily itineraries featuring must-see attractions! See them here!
A 1-day itinerary in Madison
A 2-day itinerary in Madison
A 3-day itinerary in Madison
A 4-day itinerary in Madison
A 5-day itinerary in Madison
A 6-day itinerary in Madison
Where else can I travel to if I'm starting my trip in Kansas City?
We have a lot of great trip options for Kansas City! See the links below for all the itineraries we created for you