510 miles · Est. 7.6 hours · Avg $2.35/mile · Gross $1,199
Lane Overview
510
Miles
$2.35
Avg rate/mile
$1,199
Avg gross rate
moderate
Competition
Chicago to Kansas City westbound on I-55 south to I-70 west is the consumer goods pipeline from Chicagoland's massive distribution infrastructure to the Midwest heartland. Amazon, Walmart, and Target's Chicago-area distribution centers load trailers with consumer goods and retail merchandise heading west toward Kansas City's 2.2 million consumers and onward distribution to smaller Midwest markets. Manufacturing goods from Chicago's industrial base add dry-van volume. Moderate rates at $2.25–$2.45/mile are reliable.
I-55 south from Chicago through Joliet and Bloomington, IL to St. Louis, then I-70 west through Columbia, MO to Kansas City is the standard run. St. Louis I-270 west beltway avoids downtown — use it. I-70 west from St. Louis through Columbia and Independence into Kansas City is fast, well-maintained Interstate with good fuel infrastructure. Kansas City's north side industrial corridor near the I-35/I-70 interchange is where most consumer goods receivers are located. Return Kansas City to Chicago (Lane 98) brings agricultural and food processing freight eastbound at $2.30–$2.50/mile.
Driver Tip
Use our Load Profitability Calculator to check if this lane covers your operating costs before accepting a load.
Trip Costs
Fuel Estimate
$189
Based on avg diesel price
Toll Estimate
$10
Varies by route and state
Net After Costs
$1,000
Before your other costs
What Moves on This Lane
Common Equipment
Return Freight
Kansas City to Chicago
510 miles · $2.40/mile avg
Similar Routes
Driver's Complete Guide
Chicago to Kansas City is the mirror image of Lane 98 — the same corridor running the opposite direction. Where Kansas City to Chicago sends agricultural output east, Chicago to Kansas City sends retail and consumer goods west. The symmetry is one reason this is such a reliable bilateral lane. A carrier based in either city who commits to running this corridor consistently can build predictable weekly revenue without heavy deadhead. The I-55/I-70 combination is well-maintained, well-served with fuel, and runs through flat terrain with few operational surprises.
Chicago's Amazon distribution infrastructure — multiple major fulfillment centers in Joliet, Romeoville, and the southwest suburbs — loads consumer goods heading west for Kansas City distribution. Walmart and Target's Chicago-area DCs add retail merchandise volume. Manufacturing goods from Chicago's industrial base heading to Kansas City's growing advanced manufacturing sector. This is predominantly consumer-driven dry-van freight, which means consistent volume but also a competitive carrier market.
I-55 south from Chicago through Joliet (mile 40) — this is where the Chicagoland distribution center cluster actually ends and open highway begins. Bloomington, IL at mile 130 has good truck infrastructure — a common fuel stop. Springfield, IL at mile 180 is another viable fuel point. St. Louis: use I-270 west beltway to bypass downtown and connect to I-70 west without touching the St. Louis city core. I-70 west from St. Louis through Columbia, MO (mile 120 west of St. Louis) to Kansas City. Columbia has excellent fuel options at the I-70/US-63 interchange. Kansas City delivery: the I-35/I-70 interchange area on the north side (KCMO) handles most consumer goods receivers. Edwardsville, Kansas on the KS side near I-70 has the large Amazon fulfillment center.
At $2.25–$2.45/mile with $10 in Illinois tolls on I-55, your effective net is about $2.05–$2.25/mile after tolls on this 510-mile run. On 510 miles, that's $1,047–$1,148 gross. Fuel is your biggest variable at approximately $189 for the run. The lane is reliable rather than profitable — it works when you run it regularly as part of a consistent round-trip pattern with Lane 98 eastbound.
Kansas City to Chicago eastbound (Lane 98) brings agricultural and food processing freight back at $2.30–$2.50/mile — and the return is actually slightly better rate per mile than the westbound. Plan your KC dwell to minimize and get that return booked before you leave Chicago.
Are the Illinois tolls on I-55 significant on this run?
I-55 in Illinois from Chicago to St. Louis is toll-free once you're past the Chicago Skyway/I-90 connection. The tolls are primarily on I-90/I-94 and I-290 approaching Chicago from the Joliet side. If you load from Joliet-area DCs, you may avoid Chicago city tolls entirely depending on your pickup route.
What's the Columbia, MO fuel stop situation like?
Multiple options at the I-70/US-63 interchange in Columbia — Love's, Pilot, and chain fuel. Columbia is roughly the midpoint between St. Louis and KC on I-70, making it the natural fuel stop for westbound trucks.
Kansas City receivers — KCMO side or Kansas side?
Depends on the specific shipper. Major consumer goods DCs are split — KCMO's north side near the I-35/I-70 interchange, and Edwardsville/Kansas City, KS near I-70 on the Kansas side. Confirm your delivery address before you leave Chicago. They're 15 miles apart and on opposite sides of the state line.
Dispatch Service
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