Kansas City I-70 Closure 2027: What Drivers Need to Know
The Kansas City I-70 closure begins in January 2027 and will last most of the year. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is closing the stretch between The Paseo and Van Brunt Boulevard for 11 months while crews rebuild the corridor as part of its Improve I-70 Kansas City project.
If you commute downtown, head to games at the Truman Sports Complex, or pass through Kansas City on longer trips, this closure will change how you drive. At Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers, we want local drivers to have clear, reliable information before the closure begins. Below, we cover what MoDOT has officially announced so far: the closure dates, the affected stretch of I-70, and the planned detour routes.
When Does the I-70 Closure Start and End?
MoDOT has announced that the closure will run from January 2027 through December 2027, about 11 months in total. As of November 2026, MoDOT has not yet published exact start and end days on its closure page, so drivers should watch for updates as January approaches.
According to MoDOT, a full closure lets crews safely work across the entire corridor at once instead of in stages. The agency says this approach shortens the overall project by roughly a year and enhances the safety of workers when compared to keeping traffic moving through the active work zone.
Which Stretch of I-70 Will Close?
The closure covers I-70 in Kansas City between The Paseo and Van Brunt Boulevard. It starts just east of the downtown loop and ends before I-435, which makes it the main route between downtown and the Truman Sports Complex for many drivers.
For drivers on local streets, MoDOT plans to keep nearly all the streets that cross I-70 open during construction. That should help limit disruption to residential areas along the corridor.
I-70 Closure Detour Routes in Kansas City
MoDOT will send regional travelers passing through Kansas City on I-70 around the closure using I-435 and I-470, which loop south of the work zone. Kansas City Scout overhead message boards will direct drivers to this route on both the Missouri and Kansas sides.
For trips within the metro, MoDOT encourages drivers to use the area’s other highways, including I-435, I-35, I-29, I-635, and US-71.
MoDOT has published these potential alternative routes for common trips:
| If you’re traveling… | MoDOT’s suggested route |
|---|---|
| Downtown KC to the stadiums | I-35 North to I-435 South, or US-71 South to I-435 North |
| Stadiums to downtown KC | I-435 North to I-35 South, or I-435 South to US-71 North |
| Airport to I-70 East (Independence/Blue Springs) | I-435 East to I-435 South |
| Independence/Blue Springs to the airport | I-435 North to I-435 West |
| Kansas City, KS to I-70 East (Independence/Blue Springs) | I-635 North to I-29 South to I-35 North to I-435 South |
| Independence/Blue Springs to Kansas City, KS | I-435 North to I-35 South to I-29 North to I-635 South |
| Western metro (Legends, Bonner Springs) to eastern metro (Independence, Blue Springs) | I-435 South to I-435 East to I-470 West to I-470 North to I-70 |
| Eastern metro (Independence, Blue Springs) to western metro (Legends, Lenexa) | I-470 South to I-470 West to I-435 West to I-435 North to I-70 |
MoDOT also offers a detour map and an interactive route map on its I-70 closure page. The agency recommends using GPS and its Traveler Information Map to find the best route for your trip.
Tips for Driving Safely During the I-70 Closure
Detours push more traffic onto roads that usually carry less of it, and unfamiliar routes can catch drivers off guard. A few simple habits can help you get where you’re going safely:
- Plan your route before you leave. Check MoDOT’s suggested routes and current conditions, so you don’t have to make last-second lane changes.
- Leave lots of extra time. MoDOT asks drivers to plan ahead and expect possible delays.
- Put the phone down. Set your GPS before you start driving and keep your eyes on the road.
- Watch for sudden slowdowns. Heavier traffic on I-435, I-470, and other detour routes can mean more stop-and-go driving.
How to Stay Updated on the I-70 Closure
Details may change as the closure date approaches. For the latest information, check MoDOT’s official I-70 Closure in 2027 page and its I-70 closure FAQ handout. You can also sign up for MoDOT email and text alerts or call 1-888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636).
Hurt in a Crash on a Kansas City Detour? Foster Wallace Can Help
Even careful drivers can be hit by someone who is speeding, distracted, or unfamiliar with a new route. If you’re injured in a crash during the I-70 closure, you may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other losses.
With regional traffic rerouted onto I-435 and I-470, those highways will also see more semi-trucks. Crashes with large trucks tend to cause more serious injuries, and the claims are often more complicated.
Whether your crash involved a car or a commercial truck, the Kansas City car and truck accident lawyers at Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers can review what happened and explain your options. Call us today at (816) 249-2101 or reach us online to request a free consultation!