Major city · United States
Warsaw, Missouri
Give Warsaw one night if you fish or boat Truman Lake; two nights only if you also want the state park and a lake day. Otherwise pass through on US-65.
Warsaw is a small lake town of about 2,100 people in Central Missouri, sitting where the uppermost arm of the Lake of the Ozarks meets Truman Lake. It is a boating, fishing and cabin base, not a sightseeing city: the draws are the two lakes, Harry S. Truman State Park and a compact Main Street. Most travellers use it as a one-night stop on US-65 between Sedalia and Springfield, or as a weekend lake base from Kansas City.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), late Dec–Feb (ice and closed marinas)
- Airports
- MCI · SGF
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Warsaw, Missouri911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Warsaw, Missouri, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyWarsaw is a quiet small town and violent crime is rare.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMCI Kansas City International (About 2 h 15 min by car via I-70 and US-65; no public transport to Warsaw).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$8–14
- BeerDraught beer at a bar$4–7
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
- Budget bedCampground site with hookup, a night, per roomUS$30
- Mid-range bedHighway motel double room, a night, per roomUS$95
- High-end bedHighway motel double room, a night, per roomUS$150
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$140 · High US$260
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MCI Kansas City International (About 2 h 15 min by car via I-70 and US-65; no public transport to Warsaw) · SGF Springfield-Branson National (About 2 h by car via US-65 south)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
Avoid*
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Warsaw, Missouri: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
6 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
6 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. Downtown is a walkable grid, but the rest of town and every lake access point are spread out along US-65 and MO-7 with no useful bus service. Drive times inside town are 5–15 min; the state park is about 15 min west.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Clinton
goDoor to door: About 30 min
MO-7 west around Truman Lake, about 30 min by car
Small town on the far side of Truman Lake and the start of the Katy Trail.
Sedalia
goDoor to door: About 40 min
US-65 north, about 40 min by car
Rail stop and the Missouri State Fairgrounds; useful if you are heading north.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
MO-7 and US-50 east, about 1 h 15 min by car
State capital with the capitol building and riverfront; a half-day.
Door to door: About 1 h 45 min
MO-7 north then I-70 east, about 1 h 45 min by car
Better as an overnight than a return day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Commercial Street / US-65 strip
Motels near the highway exit; easiest for one night with a car.
Downtown Main Street
Walkable to shops, diners and the Swinging Bridge; few beds, book ahead.
Lake and dam edges (MO-7, Shawnee Bend)
Cabins, resorts and campgrounds around Truman Lake; you need a car for everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Highway motel double room1 × 1 night × US$95 | US$95 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$140 | US$280 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$60 · check | US$60 |
| Boat ramp fee, one launch1 × US$10 · check | US$10 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$48 |
| Trip total≈ US$262 per person per day, bed included | US$523 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Diner breakfast | $8–14 |
| Pizza or burger with a side | $10–18 |
| Draught beer at a bar | $4–7 |
| Gasoline, per gallon | $3–4 (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No public transport: without a car you are limited to downtown.
- Boat ramps and marinas fill on summer weekends; arrive early.
- Summer heat and humidity; carry water on lake days.
- Some downtown shops and diners close early or on Sundays: check hours before you drive in.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Warsaw, MissouriWarsaw, Missouri
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No consulates in Warsaw; nearest consulates are in Kansas City and St. Louis, embassies in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Kansas City (MCI) → Warsaw by rental car: about 2 h 15 min, fuel about $15–20 (check)
- Springfield (SGF) → Warsaw by car: about 2 h via US-65 (check)
- Motel double room, one night: $65–150 before tax (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the boat ramp? — Where is the boat ramp?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is this seat taken? — Is this seat taken?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Warsaw, Missouri. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), late Dec–Feb (ice and closed marinas) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MCI and SGF: drive times, rental desks, late-arrival fallback.
- Four walking clusters with anchors: Main Street, the Swinging Bridge and dam, Truman State Park, Shawnee Bend.
- Place pages with verified hours (Benton County Museum, state park, marinas) and eat pages with last orders.
- Seasonal fixtures for summer lake weekends and winter closures so gates A–D can go green.