Interstate 35: Kansas City to Overland Park – Kansas

Take a brief but bustling ride through the beating heart of the Kansas City metro as we cruise 5 miles south along Interstate 35 from the Kansas-Missouri state line to the southern suburb of Overland Park. Though short in distance, this stretch of highway moves with purpose—threading through major interchanges and offering glimpses of the urban tapestry that defines northeastern Kansas.

We begin our journey at the Kansas state line, just southwest of downtown Kansas City. Almost immediately, we merge into the steady rhythm of Interstate 35 as it angles southwest through the city. The skyline fades into a mix of low-rise industrial buildings and aging commercial corridors. As we approach the US-169 interchange—known locally as the 7th Street Trafficway—we navigate one of the region’s oldest and most vital connectors. This area has long served as a crucial artery for both freight and commuters, linking local routes with regional interstates. The highway here rides on elevated structures, weaving above city streets and railroad lines as it pushes deeper into the Kansas side of the metro.

Continuing south, we pass the interchange with U.S. Highway 69 northbound, which offers access to the city center and the Argentine and Rosedale neighborhoods. The surroundings are dense with retail strips, chain restaurants, and the occasional older motel—the kind of landscape typical of postwar suburban growth. The road maintains a brisk pace, even amid frequent merging lanes and directional signage pointing toward Mission and Shawnee. Overhead, green guide signs mark exits that filter traffic into the ever-sprawling Kansas City suburbs.

Our drive concludes just past the split with US-69 north, where we veer left onto US-69 south—an exit that signals the gateway into Overland Park, one of Kansas’s largest and most affluent suburbs. This is where the urban corridor begins to transition into a more landscaped, suburban environment—wide boulevards, corporate campuses, and neatly planned residential developments. Though short, this segment of Interstate 35 reflects the layered identity of the Kansas City region—where city infrastructure, suburban expansion, and major highway systems meet in a carefully orchestrated flow of movement.

This video was originally produced in collaboration with CrossCounty Travelers, a now-retired travel group.