Truckers Urged to Reroute Around Kansas City, MoDOT Says

Kansas City, Missouri can be a challenging city to travel through and around on a good day, but authorities in the state are warning truck drivers that they really should find a new route for the next few weeks.

I just saw trucking site CDL Life mention that the Missouri Department of Transportation had issued a reroute warning for drivers in and around the Kansas City area and there's a good reason for it and the answer is simple: the World Cup.

When is the World Cup in Kansas City?

• Tuesday, June 16, 2026: Argentina vs. Algeria
• Saturday, June 20, 2026: Ecuador vs. Curaçao
• Thursday, June 25, 2026: Tunisia vs. Netherlands
• Saturday, June 27, 2026: Algeria vs. Austria
• Friday, July 3, 2026: Round of 32
• Saturday, July 11, 2026: Quarter-final

Traffic in Kansas City is expected to be extra congested from the middle of June through the middle of July. The Missouri Department of Transportation says that rail service in the city is also expected to be much above normal.

“This is a proud moment for Missouri, and it takes all of us working together to keep our roads safe,” said MoDOT Director Ed Hassinger. “By planning ahead and staying alert to changing conditions, drivers can help ensure a smooth World Cup experience. When it comes to travel, a little teamwork goes a long way. That’s how we’ll celebrate a successful tournament for Missouri residents and visitors alike.”

It's not always easy to change your route when you're an over-the-road truck driver. During my trips through Kansas City over the years, I always tried to avoid the morning commute time, lunch or the drive home. The arrival of the World Cup crowds over the next month will make even normally lower congested drive times a challenge, so adjust if you can or face the wait.