Origin
Crystal City, MO
Afternoon in Crystal City on Sunday
Local time
2:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Crystal City, MO to Lee's Summit, MO
Drive Time
5h 10m
Distance
265 mi
427 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
Crystal City, MO
Jérémy Glineur
Lee's Summit, MO
Jeevan Mahat
Trip Overview
Spanning 265 miles across Missouri, this drive from Crystal City to Lee's Summit is a straightforward trek that takes approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes to complete. Because the travel time is manageable, you can easily conquer this route in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend about $40 on fuel, making it an affordable excursion for your budget. You will traverse the heart of the Midwest, moving from the eastern side of the state toward the Lee's Summit area. While the trip is efficient, it is best approached as a focused day trip to ensure you arrive at your destination with plenty of daylight to spare.
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
132.5 miles from Crystal City, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 41m into the drive .
Drive Character
This journey is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, requiring you to stay alert through various transitions rather than settling into a monotonous interstate grind. Only about 14% of the trip takes place on major highways, meaning you will spend the bulk of your time navigating local roads. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 80.7 miles while traveling on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Be prepared for the road's personality to shift frequently as you move away from the highway segments. Staying engaged is key here, as the winding nature of the local routes provides a much more tactile driving experience than standard freeway travel.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 32 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. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 265 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 21.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
21.1 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 196
Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chi...
8
21.3 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
8
33.6 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Take the exit toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12
Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Lo...
8
33.7 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Went...
8
59.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m 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
Towns Along This Route
Between Crystal City, MO and Lee's Summit, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.
Chicago
21.1 mi in
|
~26m
Saint Louis
33.6 mi in
|
~43m
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 | 25.4 mi | 30m |
| I 55 | 16.2 mi | 17m |
| I 270 | 11.5 mi | 14m |
| I 470 | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| MO 291 | 2.5 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Crystal City, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.
1
Start on North Taylor Avenue
20 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Taylor Avenue
2
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue
368 ft
·
18 sec
·
2nd Avenue
3
Turn right onto Jefferson Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Jefferson Avenue
4
Turn left onto 8th Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
8th Street
5
Turn right onto I 55 Business; US 61; US 67
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
North Truman Boulevard
6
Continue on I 55 Business; US 61; US 67
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Commercial Boulevard
7
Turn left onto I 55 Business
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
McNutt Street
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 55 North: Saint Louis
Use the right lane.
9
Merge onto I 55
16 mi
·
17 min
·
I 55
10
Continue on I 55
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Rosa Parks Highway
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 196
Toward I 270 West, I 255 East: Kansas City, Chicago
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
388 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 270 West: Kansas City
Use the slight left lane.
13
Continue on this road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Exit 196
Toward I 270 West
14
Merge onto I 270
11 mi
·
14 min
·
I 270
Use the none lane.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 12
Toward I 64, US 40, US 61: Wentzville, Saint Louis
Use the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
Use the slight left lane.
17
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
this road
Exit 12
Toward I 64 West, US 40 West, US 61 North: Wentzville
18
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
25 mi
·
30 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
Use the straight lane.
19
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.
20
Merge onto I 70; US 40
81 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
21
Continue on I 70; US 40
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
22
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
23
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
24
Continue on I 70; US 40
54 mi
·
58 min
·
U.S. Submarine Veterans' Memorial Highway
25
Continue on I 70; US 40
52 mi
·
56 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the none lane.
26
Continue on I 70
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the none lane.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 15A
Toward I 470 South, MO 291 South: Lee's Summit
Use the right lane.
28
Merge onto I 470; MO 291
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
I 470; MO 291
Use the none lane.
29
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.
30
Turn right onto Southeast 3rd Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast 3rd Street
31
Continue on Southwest 3rd Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
Use the none lane.
32
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip, plan to depart early in the morning to account for the 5-hour and 10-minute duration and any traffic you might encounter. You should budget for at least one stop during the drive to stretch your legs and refresh your focus. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $40 cost estimate assumes consistent travel and standard efficiency; fill up before you hit the local road segments to avoid being caught in a rural stretch. Because this route involves a significant amount of local road driving, prioritize your navigation tools to handle the frequent turns. Flexibility is your biggest advantage on this trek, so don't hesitate to pull over for a quick break whenever you feel the need to reset.
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 132.5 miles from Crystal City, MO, or about 2h 41m 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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.5 miles or 2h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 14m
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 Crystal City, 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 Crystal City, MO
This is one driving day of about 265 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Crystal City, 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 132.5 mi from Crystal City, MO · 2h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
133 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 132.5 miles from Crystal City, 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 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
$40.25 one way
$80.50 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $44.37 | $88.74 |
| premium | $4.80 | $50.03 | $100.05 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $58.87 | $117.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.5 | 0 | $27.83 | $12.72 |
| Efficient EV | 66.3 | 0 | $23.19 | $10.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106 | 1 | $37.10 | $16.96 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Destination
Lee's Summit, MO
Afternoon in Lee's Summit on Sunday
Local time
2:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
5 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
5h 10m 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 Crystal City, MO to Lee's Summit, MO covers 265 miles and takes about 5h 10m 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 132.5 miles from Crystal City, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.25 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 20 significant decision points across 265 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 21.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Crystal City, MO and Lee's Summit, MO, road signs point toward Chicago and Saint Louis.
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