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How Are the Roads in Kansas City? Get the latest road conditions and traffic updates from the Kansas City area.
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Potholes
Size
Potholes form when water seeps into cracks in the asphalt and then freezes. The expansion of the water as it freezes causes the cracks to become larger, and when enough weight is applied to the pavement (for example, by a car driving over it), the asphalt can give way, forming a pothole. Smaller potholes can be patched fairly easily, but larger ones may require more significant repairs.
Potholes come in all shapes and sizes, but there are generally three categories that they fall into:
Small potholes: These are usually less than two feet in diameter and can be easily repaired with a cold patch or spray-injection method.
Medium potholes: These are usually two to four feet in diameter and require more substantial repairs, such as milling (removing the damaged asphalt) and resurfacing.
Large potholes: These are usually four feet or more in diameter and often require complete replacement of the affected section of pavement.
Depth
Potholes form when water seeps into small cracks in the road. When that water freezes, it expands and creates a larger crack. As traffic drives over the cracked asphalt, the weight of the vehicles push the asphalt chunks out, creating a hole.
Potholes range in depth from a few inches to a foot or more, and can be as wide as a few feet across. They can occur anywhere on a road, but are most common on streets with high traffic volume or those that have been damaged by severe weather.
Location
The Public Works Department is responsible for the maintenance of more than 6,000 miles of streets within the City of Kansas City, Missouri. Crews fill an average of 200,000 potholes each year. Potholes generally form in late winter/early spring due to freezing and thawing cycles that damage the pavement.
Roadkill
The roads in Kansas City are covered in blood. No, not the blood of construction workers or car accidents. The blood of animals. Roadkill.
Frequency
According to the most recent data, there were 1,439 deer-vehicle collisions in Kansas City in 2017. This is an increase from the 1,295 collisions reported in 2016. The majority of these collisions occur between October and December, with the peak month being November.
Type of animal
In Kansas City, the most common type of roadkill is deer. But you might also see opossums, armadillos, raccoons, and other animals. If you hit a deer, be sure to move it off the road to avoid attracting predators. You can also call the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) to report the dead animal.
Location
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Kansas City metropolitan area is ranked number eight in the nation for the most dangerous place to drive. In 2017, there were 103 fatal crashes in the Kansas City metro area. This is an increase from the year before when there were 96 fatal crashes.
Traffic
The roads in Kansas City are pretty good. The traffic can be a little heavy during rush hour, but overall it’s not too bad. The city is constantly improving the infrastructure, so the roads are getting better and better. If you’re ever in Kansas City, be sure to check out the roads!
Congestion
Commuters in the Kansas City area spent an average of 55 hours stuck in traffic in 2019, according to INRIX, a global mobility analytics company. That’s nearly two and a half days.
The study found that drivers in the city spent an average of 16% of their total time driving in congestion. That adds up to about $2,000 a year in lost productivity and wasted fuel.
The worst day for traffic was Thursday, November 28th, the day before Thanksgiving. The worst time was 5:30 p.m.
The second-worst day was Wednesday, December 4th, with an average of 50 hours wasted in traffic. The worst time was 5:15 p.m.
Accidents
There have been a number of accidents reported on I-70 near downtown Kansas City. The accidents are causing delays for traffic in both directions. Motorists are advised to use caution when driving in the area.
Location
As of right now, the traffic in Kansas City is excellent! All of the roads are clear and there are no major accidents to report.
