The Missouri River Runner connects St. Louis, MO and Kansas City, MO over a 283-mile route operated by Amtrak (MoDOT), calling at 10 stations across 1 state.
Quick Facts
- Operator
- Amtrak (MoDOT)
- Service type
- State-Supported Corridor
- Endpoints
- St. Louis ↔ Kansas City
- Distance
- 283 mi
- Frequency
- Two daily round trips
- Stations
- 10
- States served
- 1 (MO)
- Typical fare range
- $29 – $58
Route guide
The Missouri River Runner is a state-supported corridor service operated by Amtrak (MoDOT). Trains run Two daily round trips over 283 miles of mainline track between St. Louis Gateway and Kansas City Union Station, calling at 10 intermediate and terminal stations across 1 state. For background reading on the corridor, several archival route histories are available alongside the operator's own marketing pages.
What to watch for: Missouri River bluffs and the Katy Trail visible across the valley between Hermann and Jefferson City.
History & service notes
Renamed in 2009 from the Ann Rutledge / Kansas City Mule services, the train serves the entire trans-Missouri corridor with state support. Riders interested in pre-Amtrak operating history of the line can consult classic timetable archives for fuller context.
Equipment
Typical consist on the Missouri River Runner includes horizon coaches with Charger SC-44 locomotives. Equipment assignments may vary by departure and season; consult the operator for the most current information.
Stops along the route
Stations are listed in geographical order from St. Louis to Kansas City. Times and exact stop sequencing depend on the specific train number and direction; refer to the operator's timetable for departures.
- St. Louis Gateway — St. Louis, MO
- Kirkwood — Kirkwood, MO
- Washington, MO — Washington, MO
- Hermann — Hermann, MO
- Jefferson City — Jefferson City, MO
- Sedalia — Sedalia, MO
- Warrensburg — Warrensburg, MO
- Lee's Summit — Lee's Summit, MO
- Independence — Independence, MO
- Kansas City Union Station — Kansas City, MO
Sample fares & travel times
Approximate one-way fare ranges and travel times for popular city pairs on this route. Fares vary widely by demand, time of booking, and class of service — these figures are reference midpoints suitable for planning, not booking. Click any pair for a fuller trip guide.
| From | To | Distance | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | Kirkwood | 31 mi | 47m | $14 – $27 |
| Kirkwood | Washington | 31 mi | 47m | $14 – $27 |
| Washington | Hermann | 31 mi | 47m | $14 – $27 |
| Hermann | Jefferson City | 31 mi | 47m | $14 – $27 |
| Jefferson City | Sedalia | 31 mi | 47m | $14 – $27 |
| Sedalia | Warrensburg | 31 mi | 47m | $14 – $27 |
| Warrensburg | Lee's Summit | 31 mi | 47m | $14 – $27 |
| Lee's Summit | Independence | 31 mi | 47m | $14 – $27 |
| Independence | Kansas City | 31 mi | 47m | $14 – $27 |
| Kirkwood | Kansas City | 252 mi | 5h 12m | $27 – $54 |
| St. Louis | Washington | 63 mi | 1h 26m | $15 – $31 |
| Washington | Kansas City | 220 mi | 4h 34m | $25 – $50 |
| St. Louis | Hermann | 94 mi | 2h 3m | $17 – $35 |
| Hermann | Kansas City | 189 mi | 3h 57m | $23 – $46 |
| St. Louis | Jefferson City | 126 mi | 2h 41m | $19 – $39 |
| Jefferson City | Kansas City | 157 mi | 3h 18m | $21 – $43 |
| St. Louis | Sedalia | 157 mi | 3h 18m | $21 – $43 |
| Sedalia | Kansas City | 126 mi | 2h 41m | $19 – $39 |
Connections & transfers
Major hubs along the route offer cross-platform transfers to other intercity and commuter services. From St. Louis, riders can change for connecting trains and intercity buses; the same is true at Kansas City. The corridor passes through cities including St. Louis, Kirkwood, and Kansas City, each with its own onward service map. A useful reference for cross-network connections is the consolidated national rail connection guide, updated each timetable change.
Further Reading on the Missouri River Runner
- Riding the Missouri River Runner: a first-timer's full-route diary
- Best window seats and viewing tips along the line