Major city · United States
KearneyKearney, Missouri
Half-day stop on the way to or from Kansas City: see Jesse James Farm, walk the square, then move on. One night only if you're visiting family or attending the Jesse James Festival.
Kearney is a small town (population about 8,400) best known as the birthplace and burial site of outlaw Jesse James. The main draw is the James Farm County Park with its museum and grave. The historic square has a few shops and diners. Most travellers visit as a 2–3 hour detour from Kansas City, about 40 minutes north on I-35.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold)
- Airport
- MCI
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
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 Kearney911 ▾
- 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 Kearney, 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
- SafetyVery safe small town.
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 Airport (About 40 min south via I-35; rental car needed).
- 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.
- CoffeeCoffee (diner)$2–3
- Sit-down mealLunch at a diner or café$10–15
- BeerBeer (domestic, bar)$4–6
- Budget bedChain hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedChain hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedChain hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$160
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$100 · High US$180
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 Airport (About 40 min south via I-35; rental car needed)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kearney: 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
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
6 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
6 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
12 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
7 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°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. The square, James Farm and hotels are spread along Centerville Ave / MO-92. No public transit.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 40 min
I-35 south, about 40 min
Museums, barbecue, and the Country Club Plaza.
Door to door: 50 min
I-35 south then I-70 east, about 50 min
Harry Truman sites and the National Frontier Trails Museum.
Door to door: 45 min
I-35 south then MO-291, about 45 min
Downtown shops and lake parks.
Warrensburg
cautionDoor to door: 1 h 10 min
MO-92 west then US-13 south, about 1 h 10 min
Smaller town with a university campus; only if you have extra time.
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.
I-35 corridor (Centerville Ave)
Chain hotels near the highway; walkable to a few restaurants but not the square.
Historic square area
No hotels directly on the square; nearest is Quality Inn about 1.5 km (0.9 mi) south.No hotels directly on the square; nearest is Quality Inn about 0.9 mi (1.5 km) south.
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
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$110 | US$110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$100 | US$200 |
| James Farm Museum entry (adult)2 × US$9 · check | US$18 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$33 |
| Trip total≈ US$181 per person per day, bed included | US$361 |
2026 estimate in USD; car rental and fuel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (diner) | $2–3 |
| Lunch at a diner or café | $10–15 |
| Dinner entrée at a sit-down restaurant | $15–25 |
| Beer (domestic, bar) | $4–6 |
| Gasoline (per gallon, regular) | $3–4 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- James Farm is closed on Mondays (check current hours).
- No Uber or Lyft coverage is reliable; arrange your own car.
- The Jesse James Festival draws crowds in mid-September; book accommodation early.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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KearneyKearney, Missouri
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- KCI Airport → Kearney (taxi or rideshare): about $50–70, 40 min (check)
- Kansas City → Kearney (taxi or rideshare): about $60–80, 40 min (check)
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much? — How much?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the bathroom?
English is universal; no language barrier.
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 Kearney. 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 (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for James Farm (hours, ticket price verified), the square (café and shop hours), and the Quality Inn (pool and breakfast details).
- Golden-hour photo spots: James Farm at sunset, the square at dusk.
Sources
Ask about Kearney
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