Trip from Clayton, MO to Lee's Summit, MO

Drive Time

4h 38m

Distance

239 mi

385 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 25m ★

6 AM

4h 38m

8 AM

5h 5m

10 AM

4h 48m

12 PM

4h 45m

3 PM

4h 49m

5 PM

5h 4m

8 PM

4h 30m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Clayton, MO

cottonbro studio

Lee's Summit, MO

Jeevan Mahat

Trip Overview

Connecting Clayton to Lee's Summit requires a 239-mile journey across the Missouri landscape. Expect to spend approximately 4 hours and 38 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable trip for a single day. You will primarily navigate via the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and the U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of $36, this route is budget-friendly for those looking to traverse the state. Because the trip fits easily into one day, you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations unless you prefer a more leisurely pace. Both the origin and destination are located within the Midwest, offering a consistent regional feel throughout your travel.

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

119.5 miles from Clayton, MO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 25m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is defined as a turn-heavy local drive, requiring you to stay alert as you transition between sections. While your route covers 239 miles, only 5% of the journey is spent on the highway, meaning you will encounter more local road segments than high-speed interstate cruising. You will experience your longest uninterrupted stretch of 80.7 miles while driving on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Be prepared for a shift in driving style as you move away from the major highways and into the more technical local portions of the route. The personality of this drive is practical and functional, prioritizing local navigation over monotonous long-distance highway stretches.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 21 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 80.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near South Hanley Road.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 239 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (South Hanley Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles (I 64; US 40 / Daniel Boone Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.6 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | South Hanley Road

At end of road, turn left onto South Hanley Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

2.4 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 64; US 40 / Daniel Boone Expressway

Merge onto I 64; US 40 / Daniel Boone Expressway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

33.6 mi into trip | ~43m in | US 40

Take the exit onto US 40 toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Exit 1A Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City

228.6 mi into trip | ~4h 22m 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

235.3 mi into trip | ~4h 31m 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	80.7 mi	1h 35m
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway	54.4 mi	58m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway	54.3 mi	58m
Avenue of the Saints	27.8 mi	33m
I 470	6.4 mi	7m
Daniel Boone Expressway	3.4 mi	4m
MO 291	2.5 mi	4m
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway	2 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Dwight D Eisenhower Highway — 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clayton, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.

Start on Hillvale Drive

178 ft · 7 sec · Hillvale Drive

Turn left onto Wydown Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · Wydown Boulevard

At end of road, turn left onto South Hanley Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · South Hanley Road

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto North Service Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Service Road

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 26 sec · this road

Toward I 64 West, US 40 West Use the left / straight lanes.

Merge onto I 64; US 40

3.4 mi · 4 min · Daniel Boone Expressway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on I 64; US 40; US 61

28 mi · 33 min · Avenue of the Saints

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto US 40

0.6 mi · 1 min · US 40

Exit 1A Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Kansas City Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 70; US 40

81 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

2.0 mi · 2 min · Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.6 mi · 1 min · Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

1.8 mi · 2 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

54 mi · 58 min · U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway

Continue on I 70; US 40

52 mi · 56 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 70

1.6 mi · 1 min · Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Exit 15A Toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 470; MO 291

6.4 mi · 7 min · I 470; MO 291

Use the none lane.

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.

Turn right onto Southeast 3rd Street

0.9 mi · 2 min · Southeast 3rd Street

Continue on Southwest 3rd Street

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

Use the none lane.

Arrive at destination

Southwest 3rd Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a straightforward 4-hour and 38-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Planning for at least one dedicated stop will help you break up the 239-mile trek and keep your energy levels consistent. Keep your $36 fuel budget in mind, but consider fueling up before leaving Clayton to ensure you have a full tank for the local-heavy portions of the trip. Because the route relies heavily on local roads rather than major highways, check your navigation frequently to stay on track during turns. Taking advantage of the single-day nature of this trip allows you to reach Lee's Summit without the pressure of an overnight itinerary.

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 119.5 miles from Clayton, MO, or about 2h 25m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.7 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 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 119.5 miles or 2h 25m 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 47m

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 Clayton, 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 Clayton, MO

This is one driving day of about 239 miles and 4h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clayton, 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 80.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 119.5 mi from Clayton, MO · 2h 25m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Quincy, IL

120 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

Quincy, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Quincy, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 119.5 miles from Clayton, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dwight D Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.7 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

$36.30 one way

$72.60 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 84 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$40.02	$80.04
premium	$4.80	$45.12	$90.24
diesel	$5.64	$53.10	$106.20

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$36

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 83.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	71.7	0	$25.10	$11.47
Efficient EV	59.8	0	$20.91	$9.56
EV Truck/SUV	95.6	1	$33.46	$15.30

Gas CO2

84 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Clayton, MO

Afternoon in Clayton on Sunday

Local time

2:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lee's Summit, MO

Afternoon in Lee's Summit on Sunday

Local time

2:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

55°F

Quincy, IL

120 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

33 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 38m 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 Clayton, MO to Lee's Summit, MO covers 239 miles and takes about 4h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 119.5 miles from Clayton, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.30 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.

The route from Clayton, MO to Lee's Summit, MO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Lee's Summit, MO to Clayton, MO

Plan the drive back the other way.

238.3 mi 4h 37m

Explore more options from Clayton, MO or browse trips ending in Lee's Summit, MO.

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Trip from Clayton, MO to Lee's Summit, MO

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Lee's Summit, MO

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Clayton, MO

Lee's Summit, MO

Same local time

33 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 38m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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