Take a fast-moving cruise through the northern reaches of Missouri’s largest city as we follow Interstate 29 from Missouri Route 210 to Missouri Route 152. This 10-mile stretch carries us from the industrial edge of the Missouri River into the rolling, ever-growing suburbs of Kansas City, offering a snapshot of urban expansion, evolving infrastructure, and the connective tissue of America’s heartland highways.
We begin our journey just north of the river, merging onto I-29 from Armour Road (MO-210) near the North Kansas City industrial corridor. The dense lattice of rail yards and aging brick warehouses gradually gives way to more modern development as the interstate angles northwest. It doesn’t take long before we approach a crucial junction—Interstate 35—peeling off to the north toward Des Moines. This interchange, known locally as the “Triangle,” is a major node in the Kansas City freeway network, with tall flyover ramps gracefully arching between two of the Midwest’s busiest corridors.
Pushing onward, we continue on I-29 as it arcs past U.S. Highway 169, one of the many spoke-like routes that feed downtown from the suburbs. The skyline of downtown Kansas City fades in the rearview as the land begins to open up slightly. Around the interchange with Interstate 635, the road assumes a more northerly bearing. This junction marks a turning point—not just geographically but atmospherically—as the noise and clutter of the city begin to mellow into the steadier rhythms of the outer metro. I-635, a partial beltway on the west side of town, siphons off regional traffic heading south or into Kansas, while we remain northbound.
As we roll into the Platte Woods area, the surroundings shift to a mix of wooded pockets and rapidly developing commercial strips. Here, the interstate hums along through gentle curves and modest grades, punctuated by ramps to local arterials like MO-45 (NW 64th Street). Suburban rooftops peek through the treetops as the highway threads between residential enclaves and shopping centers. The architecture transitions to the familiar blend of modern subdivisions and big-box retail—evidence of the outward march of Kansas City’s footprint.
Our drive culminates at the MO-152 interchange, a key east-west corridor serving Kansas City’s growing Northland. This junction is especially significant for travelers bound for the Kansas City International Airport, just a few miles to the west. As we exit onto the ramp for MO-152 west, the landscape ahead suggests more development, more connection, and more of the story of a city constantly in motion—northward, outward, upward.
Interstate 29 in this segment offers more than just a ride—it provides a real-time lesson in how cities grow, connect, and redefine themselves. From riverfront roots to suburban sprawl, it’s a drive that shows how the urban core stretches to meet the edges, and how the edges keep moving.
This video was originally produced in collaboration with CrossCounty Travelers, a now-retired travel group.
🗺️ Route Map
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