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Nothing cleaner nearby

Kansas City is breathing 2.5 cigarettes a week

7.8
PM2.5 µg/m³
43
AQI
4
Cleanest in reach · µg/m³
Look farther for cleaner air

Where are you?

Search covers Canada and the United States.

The better move within a 3-hour drive

Dates

Dates follow you into hotel searches. Live inventory is confirmed by the provider.

You may already have the cleanest nearby air.No meaningfully cleaner place has a verified road route within 3 hours. Widen the range or show worse air for context.

Every town is also available in the ranked list.
Kansas City Clean · PM2.5 0–5 Good · 5–9 Elevated · 9–15 Polluted · 15–35 Unhealthy · 35–55 Severe · 55+
Top pick
Lawrence
Cel-shaded illustration of Lawrence
#1LawrencePM2.5 9.2Checking road route

Kansas· PM2.5 9.2 µg/m³

Kansas community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 9.2 µg/m³ here vs 7.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 9.2/22 × 7 = 2.9 here; 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
18% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 8:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Lee's Summit
Cel-shaded illustration of Lee's Summit
#2Lee's SummitPM2.5 10Checking road route

Missouri· PM2.5 10 µg/m³

Missouri community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 10 µg/m³ here vs 7.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 10/22 × 7 = 3.2 here; 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Kansas City

28% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Topeka
Cel-shaded illustration of Topeka
#3TopekaPM2.5 10.7Checking road route

Kansas· PM2.5 10.7 µg/m³

A major Kansas city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 10.7 µg/m³ here vs 7.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 10.7/22 × 7 = 3.4 here; 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Kansas City

37% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Saint Joseph
Cel-shaded illustration of Saint Joseph
#4Saint JosephPM2.5 13.9Checking road route

Missouri· PM2.5 13.9 µg/m³

Missouri community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 13.9 µg/m³ here vs 7.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 13.9/22 × 7 = 4.4 here; 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Kansas City

78% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Shawnee
Cel-shaded illustration of Shawnee
#5ShawneeParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 2.5 cigs/wk

Kansas

Kansas community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Parkville
Cel-shaded illustration of Parkville
#6ParkvilleParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 2.5 cigs/wk

Missouri

Missouri community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Independence
Cel-shaded illustration of Independence
#7IndependenceParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 2.5 cigs/wk

Missouri

Missouri community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Raytown
Cel-shaded illustration of Raytown
#8RaytownParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 2.5 cigs/wk

Missouri

Missouri community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Leawood
Cel-shaded illustration of Leawood
#9LeawoodParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 2.5 cigs/wk

Kansas

Kansas community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Overland Park
Cel-shaded illustration of Overland Park
#10Overland ParkParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 2.5 cigs/wk

Kansas

Kansas community with a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Pleasant Valley
Cel-shaded illustration of Pleasant Valley
#11Pleasant ValleyParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 2.5 cigs/wk

Missouri

Missouri community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Weatherby Lake
Cel-shaded illustration of Weatherby Lake
#12Weatherby LakeParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 2.5 cigs/wk

Missouri

Missouri community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Manhattan
Cel-shaded illustration of Manhattan
#13ManhattanPM2.5 7.7~2 h 10 min drive

Kansas· PM2.5 7.7 µg/m³

Flint Hills college town with lodging northeast of Wichita and west of Kansas City.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 7.7 µg/m³ here vs 7.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 7.7/22 × 7 = 2.5 here; 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
1% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 8:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Emporia
Cel-shaded illustration of Emporia
#14EmporiaPM2.5 7.9Checking road route

Kansas· PM2.5 7.9 µg/m³

Kansas community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 7.9 µg/m³ here vs 7.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 7.9/22 × 7 = 2.5 here; 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
1% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 8:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Slater
Cel-shaded illustration of Slater
#15SlaterParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 2.5 cigs/wk

Missouri

Missouri community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Trenton
Cel-shaded illustration of Trenton
#16TrentonParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 2.5 cigs/wk

Missouri

Missouri community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Sabetha
Cel-shaded illustration of Sabetha
#17SabethaParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 2.5 cigs/wk

Kansas

Kansas community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Marshalltown
Cel-shaded illustration of Marshalltown
#18MarshalltownPM2.5 4Checking road routesaves 1.2 cigs/wk

Iowa· PM2.5 4 µg/m³

Iowa community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

49% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 4 µg/m³ here vs 7.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 here; 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.8 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Kansas City right now

49% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 8:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Arnolds Park (Okoboji)
Cel-shaded illustration of Arnolds Park (Okoboji)
#19Arnolds Park (Okoboji)PM2.5 4.1~7 h 15 min drivesaves 1.2 cigs/wk

Iowa· PM2.5 4.1 µg/m³

Resort town on West Lake Okoboji in the Iowa Great Lakes, an open-water escape northeast of Sioux Falls with lakefront resorts and rentals.

47% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 4.1 µg/m³ here vs 7.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 4.1/22 × 7 = 1.3 here; 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.7 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Kansas City right now

47% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 8:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Ames
Cel-shaded illustration of Ames
#20AmesPM2.5 4.4Checking road routesaves 1.1 cigs/wk

Iowa· PM2.5 4.4 µg/m³

Iowa community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

44% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 4.4 µg/m³ here vs 7.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 4.4/22 × 7 = 1.4 here; 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.4 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Kansas City right now

44% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 8:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Bad week ahead? Check the 7-day outlook — if it won’t clear, book the trip

7-day outlook

Plan the next seven days

Pick a day, or compare the whole week. Weather is forecast; air quality is the latest available reading.

Loading the week…

Finding the nicest days and reachable cities.

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDTLast scan Jul 27, 8:27 p.m. EDT · 53 min ago

Why live rankings? Smoke plumes are patchy and shift with the wind, so no direction is reliably cleaner. This list is recalculated from live PM2.5 every hour — and if everything nearby is smoky, it says so.

How we work this out →

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What this means · Kansas City

Phew.

2.5cigarettes

per week, if this air holds

Act two · The scale

Where today lands

From a crisp horizon to smoke you can taste — here’s your reading on it.

7.8 µg/m³
CrispSome smokeHeavy smoke

Act three · The ladder

What each rung feels like

  • 0–3µg/m³Natural. About as clean as outdoor air realistically gets.
  • 3–5µg/m³Clean. Crisp, destination-worthy air.
  • 5–9µg/m³Good. Clean city air; most people will not notice anything today.
  • 9–15µg/m³Elevated. Usually no big deal today; sensitive lungs may notice hard exercise.
  • 15–35µg/m³Polluted. Smoke or traffic pollution is now worth acting on.
  • 35–55µg/m³Unhealthy. Symptoms become more likely, especially with asthma or heart disease.
  • 55+µg/m³Severe. Everyone should reduce exposure and clean the indoor air.

Act four · The fine print

The receipts

What is PM2.5?

Fine particles about 30× thinner than a human hair — small enough to slip through your lungs and into your bloodstream. We measure them inµg/m³: micrograms of particle mass in a cubic metre of air.

The math

PM2.5 here is 7.8 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →