Origin
Bowling Green, MO
Afternoon in Bowling Green on Sunday
Local time
4:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bowling Green, MO to Lee's Summit, MO
Drive Time
4h 4m
Distance
205.5 mi
331 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 51m
★
6 AM
4h 4m
8 AM
4h 30m
10 AM
4h 13m
12 PM
4h 11m
3 PM
4h 14m
5 PM
4h 29m
8 PM
3h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bowling Green, MO
Chris Duan
Lee's Summit, MO
Jeevan Mahat
Trip Overview
Connecting Bowling Green to Lee's Summit, this 205.5-mile journey across Missouri takes approximately 4 hours and 4 minutes to complete. Because the total duration is quite manageable, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You will traverse the Midwest, utilizing a combination of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, US 54, and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. Budgeting around $31 for fuel is a safe estimate for your transit across the state. Whether you are heading out for business or a visit, the trip offers a straightforward path between these two Missouri locales.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
102.7 miles from Bowling Green, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience as you navigate this 205.5-mile trek. With a highway share of 34%, the route balances faster interstate speeds with more localized road travel. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted segment on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which spans 72.9 miles of the total distance. This variation keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous grind, as the road conditions shift between major thoroughfares and secondary highways. You should be prepared for a changing pace that keeps you engaged behind the wheel throughout the four-hour journey.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 72.9 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,039 ft
615 ft
Total Climb
693 ft
Total Descent
545 ft
Highest Point
1,039 ft
~205.5 mi in
Elevation Range
423 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 44.5 miles in near US 54.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 205.5 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 44.5 miles (US 54): Navigation decision point; at 62.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 195.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
44.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
|
US 54
Turn left onto US 54 toward US 54 West: Jefferson City
Navigation decision point
Toward US 54 West: Jefferson City
5
62.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
8
195.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 15A
Toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
5
195.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 49m in
|
I 470; MO 291
Merge onto I 470; MO 291
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
201.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 56m in
|
MO 291
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 291 toward MO 291 South: Harrisonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 10B
Toward MO 291 South: Harrisonville
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 72.9 mi | 1h 22m |
| US 54 | 60.1 mi | 1h 16m |
| U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway | 54.4 mi | 58m |
| I 470 | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| MO 291 | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway | 2 mi | 2m |
| Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 72.9 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bowling Green, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.
1
Start on West Main Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 61 Business
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
North 9th Street
3
Turn left
1.5 mi
·
2 min
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 54
9.6 mi
·
12 min
·
US 54
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 54
14 mi
·
19 min
·
US 54
6
Enter roundabout onto US 54; MO 19
241 ft
·
3 sec
·
US 54; MO 19
7
Continue on US 54; MO 19
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
US 54; MO 19
8
Enter roundabout onto US 54
62 ft
·
0 sec
·
US 54
9
Continue on US 54
10 mi
·
13 min
·
US 54
10
Turn left onto US 54
18 mi
·
20 min
·
US 54
Toward US 54 West: Jefferson City
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia
12
Merge onto I 70; US 40
19 mi
·
23 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
13
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
14
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
15
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
16
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi
·
58 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
17
Continue on I 70; US 40
52 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the none lane.
18
Continue on I 70
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the none lane.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 15A
Toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
Use the right lane.
20
Merge onto I 470; MO 291
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
I 470; MO 291
Use the none lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 291
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
MO 291
Exit 10B
Toward MO 291 South: Harrisonville
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
22
Turn right onto Southeast 3rd Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast 3rd Street
23
Continue on Southwest 3rd Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
Use the none lane.
24
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 4-minute transit, plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to stretch your legs. Since the route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best, though avoiding peak traffic hours near Lee's Summit is always a smart move. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the longer 72.9-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, as service availability can fluctuate. By pacing yourself with that single planned break, you can easily maintain your energy levels for the remainder of the drive. This straightforward route offers plenty of convenience, so keep your travel plans simple and enjoy the steady pace of your journey.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 102.7 miles from Bowling Green, MO, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.7 miles or 2h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lee's Summit, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bowling Green, MO so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bowling Green, MO
This is one driving day of about 205.5 miles and 4h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bowling Green, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 72.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 102.7 mi from Bowling Green, MO · 2h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
103 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 102.7 miles from Bowling Green, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.9 miles.
Arriving in Lee's Summit, MO
The final approach into Lee's Summit, MO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Lee's Summit, MO.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.21 one way
$62.43 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
72 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $34.41 | $68.82 |
| premium | $4.80 | $38.79 | $77.59 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $45.65 | $91.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.7 | 0 | $21.58 | $9.86 |
| Efficient EV | 51.4 | 0 | $17.98 | $8.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82.2 | 1 | $28.77 | $13.15 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Lee's Summit, MO
Afternoon in Lee's Summit on Sunday
Local time
4:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
55°F
Quincy, IL
103 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 4m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bowling Green, MO to Lee's Summit, MO covers 205.5 miles and takes about 4h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, US 54, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 102.7 miles from Bowling Green, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.21 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 205.5 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 44.5 miles (US 54): Navigation decision point; at 62.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 195.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Bowling Green, MO to Lee's Summit, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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