Payless Car Rental
Kansas City

After collecting your luggage at baggage claim, look for the prominent overhead signs directing you to "Rental Car Shuttles." These signs will guide you to the designated shuttle bus pickup zones located just outside the terminal doors. The complimentary gray buses run frequently and will take you on a short ride to the consolidated Rental Car Center. Once you arrive and enter the building, you will find clear directional signs pointing you toward the Payless service counter to complete your rental process.

The rental car shuttles at MCI operate in coordination with flight arrivals, ensuring service is available even for late-night landings. The process remains the same: simply follow the signs for "Rental Car Shuttles" from baggage claim to the pickup curb. This system is designed to be straightforward, keeping you out of confusing airport road loops. The shuttle provides a direct, well-lit route to the rental facility, where you can pick up your vehicle in a calm environment away from terminal traffic.

When traveling with checked bags and children, it's wise to budget approximately 60 to 90 minutes from the time your plane lands to when you drive away. This timeline accounts for deplaning, walking to baggage claim, waiting for your luggage, and taking the shuttle to the rental car facility. Building in this buffer allows for a more relaxed pace, giving you time to manage your family's needs and complete the rental paperwork without feeling rushed.

The consolidated Rental Car Center at MCI provides a convenient and safe environment for installing a child car seat. After you receive your keys from the Payless counter, you will proceed to a designated, well-lit parking garage to locate your vehicle. You can take as much time as you need in this parking spot, away from active traffic, to ensure the car seat is installed securely and correctly before beginning your journey.

The most direct route from the airport to downtown is typically I-29 South to US-169 South, which leads you directly into the city's core. During weekday rush hours, generally 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM, this route will experience significant congestion. For a less stressful drive, consider using a real-time traffic app like Google Maps or Waze to check for alternative routes or delays. Allowing an extra 20-30 minutes for your trip during these peak times is a good strategy.

For a straightforward drive to Overland Park, the recommended route is I-29 South to I-635 South. You will then merge onto I-35 South, which will take you toward the appropriate exits for Overland Park. This path allows you to bypass the more complex downtown Kansas City freeway loop, resulting in fewer required lane changes and a more relaxed driving experience, especially for visitors unfamiliar with the area.

The drive to the Country Club Plaza is generally manageable for first-time visitors, though it requires attention as you get closer. A common route involves taking I-29 South and US-169 South toward the city center, then transitioning to major local roads like Broadway Boulevard. Once you are near the Plaza, your GPS will be essential for navigating the final few blocks, which include some one-way streets. The area is well-signed, but relying on navigation for turn-by-turn directions is the best way to avoid confusion.

When driving in Kansas City, it's helpful to know that I-435 is the outer beltway that circles the entire metro area, useful for bypassing downtown traffic. The downtown loop, where I-35 and I-70 converge, can be challenging due to its many exits in close proximity. The key to navigating this area successfully is to know your exit number well in advance and move into the correct lane at least a mile before your exit to avoid last-minute maneuvers.

To ensure a smooth trip to Arrowhead Stadium for a game or event, plan to arrive at the Truman Sports Complex at least three to four hours before the scheduled start time. The primary route from the airport, I-29 South to I-435 South, becomes heavily congested near the stadium exit as event time approaches. Arriving early not only helps you avoid the worst traffic but also allows for a more relaxed parking and tailgating experience.

The most direct route to Kauffman Stadium is taking I-29 South from the airport to I-435 South. You will then take Exit 63, which is specifically for the Truman Sports Complex where both stadiums are located. A common mistake for visitors is to miss this exit while focusing on the upcoming I-70 interchange. Be sure to watch for the large blue highway signs that explicitly direct traffic to Kauffman and Arrowhead Stadiums.

If you are driving from downtown Kansas City to a Chiefs game, it is wise to leave at least 90 minutes before you intend to be parked. While the drive on I-70 East is only about 15-20 minutes in normal conditions, game-day traffic can easily add an hour or more to your travel time. This buffer will account for slowdowns on the interstate, queues at the stadium entrance, and the time it takes to find your parking spot.

Approaching Union Station via Main Street is typically the most straightforward method. For a quick passenger and luggage drop-off, you can use the designated circular drive directly in front of the station's grand main entrance. After dropping off, you can easily proceed to the large, multi-level parking garage located on the west side of the building for convenient and secure parking.

The National WWI Museum and Memorial is located just south of Union Station and is very easy to access by car. As you approach the area, follow the clear signage for the museum. The most convenient parking plan is to use the dedicated U-shaped surface lot situated directly in front of the main entrance. This lot provides ample space and minimizes walking distance to the museum and the Liberty Memorial tower.

On a weekend evening, the Power & Light District is a vibrant and busy area with significant pedestrian traffic and slow-moving vehicles. Driving directly through the district can be challenging. The most practical approach is to park in one of the nearby garages, with the KC Live! garage being the largest and most central option. Arriving earlier in the evening will make it much easier to find a parking spot and avoid the peak congestion.

During the holiday lights season, finding street parking on the Plaza is very difficult, especially on weekends. The easiest strategy is to head directly for one of the many free multi-level parking garages scattered throughout the district. Arriving in the late afternoon, before the evening crowds gather, gives you the best chance of securing a convenient spot. From there, you can enjoy the festive atmosphere on foot.

For a multi-stop BBQ tour, focusing on clusters of restaurants can minimize driving and parking stress. For example, you can easily drive between the Crossroads Arts District, the Westside, and the 39th Street area, as they are geographically close. These neighborhoods offer a mix of street parking and smaller lots, making it feasible to park once and walk to a couple of nearby spots before driving to the next cluster.

During the popular First Fridays event, many streets in the Crossroads Arts District are closed to traffic and the area becomes extremely crowded with pedestrians. The best strategy is to avoid driving into the heart of the event. Instead, park your rental car on the periphery of the district, such as in a paid lot near the T-Mobile Center or south of Pershing Road, and then walk into the gallery area to explore on foot.

Driving through the core of Westport on a weekend evening can be very slow and congested, particularly along Westport Road between Broadway Boulevard and Main Street. This area becomes a bottleneck due to heavy foot traffic, ride-share vehicles, and limited street parking. Visitors often get stuck in this slow-moving loop. A better approach is to park in a public lot on the edge of the district and walk to your destination.

The drive from MCI to North Kansas City is one of the simplest in the metro area. You will take I-29 South for a short distance and then exit onto US-169 South, also known as Arrowhead Trafficway. This route takes you directly across the Missouri River via the Heart of America Bridge and into North Kansas City. This path has minimal complex interchanges, making for a very direct and easy trip.

The most straightforward route to Lawrence from the airport is to take I-435 South to connect with I-70 West. The drive typically takes about one hour in normal conditions. Traffic on I-70 West can become particularly congested on Friday afternoons as people leave the city for the weekend, so it's a good idea to plan for extra travel time if you are driving during that period.

A day trip to Topeka is a simple one-hour drive west on I-70. For a pleasant break point, consider stopping in Lawrence, which is located about halfway through the journey. The historic downtown area of Lawrence offers numerous coffee shops, boutiques, and restaurants, making it an ideal place to stretch your legs and grab a bite to eat before continuing on to the state capital.

The drive to St. Joseph is a direct, one-hour trip north from Kansas City on Interstate 29. This is a major commercial route, so you can expect traffic to move at a steady, fast pace alongside many semi-trucks. It is a well-traveled highway, and state patrol presence is common, so it is always advisable to adhere to the posted speed limits for a safe and uneventful journey.

For a scenic and relaxed drive to Weston Bend State Park, take I-29 North to MO-273 North, and then follow the signs to the park entrance. While the majority of the drive is on the interstate, the last several miles are on rural roads. It's a good idea to download your map for offline use, as cell service can become unreliable once you exit the main highway and get closer to the park.

To ensure a smooth drive to the Lake of the Ozarks for a weekend getaway, the best time to depart from Kansas City is on Friday morning or very early afternoon. This allows you to get ahead of the heavy weekend traffic that typically builds up by late afternoon. A common and efficient route is taking US-71 South to MO-7 South, which helps avoid some of the congestion on other major highways.

When exploring the wineries around Excelsior Springs, you'll be driving on two-lane rural roads that may have hills and curves. These roads are often poorly lit, so driving after dark requires extra caution. It is also very important to be vigilant for wildlife, especially deer, which are frequently seen near the roadsides after sunset. Planning your return trip before dusk can contribute to a safer and more comfortable drive.

A frequent mistake visitors make in the downtown Kansas City loop is underestimating how quickly the exits appear. The interchanges for I-35, I-70, and US-71 have exits that are very close together. To avoid stressful, last-second lane changes, use your GPS to identify your exit number well in advance and safely move into the correct lane one to two miles before you need to exit.

The downtown freeway splits can be intimidating for first-time drivers due to the convergence of multiple interstates. A helpful tip is to use the downtown skyline as a landmark; if you are heading towards the tallest buildings, you are generally moving toward the city center. Additionally, paying attention to signs for major cross-streets like Broadway or Grand Avenue can help confirm you are on the correct path for your destination.

Yes, GPS signals can sometimes be unreliable in the heart of downtown Kansas City. The dense cluster of tall buildings can create an "urban canyon" effect, and the multi-layered highways of the downtown loop can also confuse GPS systems, leading to delayed or inaccurate instructions. In these areas, it's beneficial to review your route beforehand and pay close attention to road signs as your primary guide.

If you plan to visit both the Country Club Plaza and downtown Kansas City in one day, the most efficient strategy is to drive between the two locations and park separately. The drive is relatively short, usually about 10-15 minutes. Both areas offer abundant garage parking, and relocating your car is much more time-effective than trying to find one central spot and relying on other forms of transportation to travel between them.

To avoid blocking traffic at your hotel's valet stand, a good option is to pull into a nearby public parking garage. You can use a vacant spot for a few minutes to organize your luggage or prepare a cooler. Alternatively, you can often find a less-trafficked side street a block or two away from your hotel's main entrance, providing a discreet space to get your things in order before you arrive.

When driving downtown, be aware of the KC Streetcar tracks embedded in the roadway. It's important to cross them carefully, especially in wet weather, to maintain good traction. Pay close attention to lane markings and traffic signals that are specific to the streetcar's right-of-way. When making a right turn across the tracks, be sure to check for the streetcar, which always has priority.

Kansas City's weekday rush hours are typically from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, when major highways are most congested. Weekend traffic is generally much lighter, though it can be heavy around specific event venues or shopping districts. For trips to or from the airport, the best travel windows are usually mid-day on weekdays (between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM) or anytime on the weekend.

To avoid the heaviest morning rush hour traffic when returning to MCI from downtown, consider taking US-169 North across the Broadway Bridge to connect with I-29 North. This route often has less congestion compared to the main I-35 North to I-29 North interchange. It's always a good idea to check a real-time traffic app just before you leave to confirm the fastest path.

For an early morning flight, the most reliable and straightforward route to MCI is I-29 North. This is the main highway leading directly to the airport and is typically free of significant traffic before 6:00 AM. As a major interstate, it is well-maintained and less likely to have unexpected closures compared to smaller surface streets, making it your simplest and safest bet for an on-time arrival.

The most convenient way to refuel before returning your rental car is to use one of the gas stations at the Tiffany Springs Parkway or Cookingham Drive exits. These are the last two major exits on I-29 North before you reach the airport entrance. Using a station at either of these locations requires minimal deviation from your route and ensures you can top off the tank just minutes before arriving at the rental car facility.

As you approach the airport on the main access roads, begin looking for the large overhead signs for "Rental Car Return." These signs will direct you into a dedicated lane that separates you from terminal drop-off traffic. Follow this lane, and it will lead you directly to the entrance of the consolidated rental car facility. The path is clearly marked to guide you straight to the Payless return area.

During a severe thunderstorm in Kansas City, you should plan for reduced visibility and potentially slick road conditions. While major interstates and the roads around MCI are designed to handle heavy rain, some low-lying areas can experience temporary water pooling. It is crucial to reduce your speed, increase your following distance, and allow for extra travel time to ensure you reach your destination safely.

When driving in Kansas City during the winter, be particularly cautious on elevated surfaces like bridges, overpasses, and exit ramps, as they can freeze over before the main roadways. Shaded areas can also remain icy long after the sun has melted snow elsewhere. Always reduce your speed in these conditions, avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and allow significantly more stopping distance between your vehicle and the one ahead.

A great meetup spot near MCI is one of the large shopping centers located at the Tiffany Springs Parkway exit, just south of the airport. These centers have expansive parking lots where you can easily find space to consolidate luggage and organize your group. They also offer coffee shops and restaurants, providing a comfortable place to wait for everyone to arrive before starting your trip into Kansas City.

The most critical navigation tip is to always include the state abbreviation (MO or KS) when entering an address into your GPS. Many street names are duplicated on both sides of the state line, which runs along State Line Road. Double-checking that your destination includes the correct city and state will prevent you from being routed to the wrong location, saving you significant time and frustration.