Origin
Eureka, MO
Late night in Eureka on Wednesday
Local time
5:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
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Drive Time
4h 39m
Distance
234.4 mi
377 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eureka, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Lee's Summit, MO
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling from Eureka to Lee's Summit covers 236.1 miles across the Missouri Midwest, typically taking about 3 hours and 47 minutes of drive time. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, you should plan on dedicating a full day to complete the journey comfortably. Budgeting approximately $36 for fuel will get you from point A to point B, keeping your travel costs predictable. Since the entire trip stays within Missouri, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the transit. It is an ideal distance for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay.
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
117.2 miles from Eureka, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .
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Expect a departure from the typical interstate grind, as this route features zero highway miles and relies entirely on local roads. Your path will take you along East 5th Street and South Eatherton Road, creating a technical and engaging experience behind the wheel. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, you will need to stay alert and navigate constant changes in direction rather than cruising on autopilot. The road's personality is defined by its winding nature, which keeps the journey active and far from monotonous. You should anticipate a steady, hands-on driving experience that requires your full attention throughout the 3-hour and 47-minute duration.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.6 miles in near MO 109.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 234.4 miles you will encounter 15 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 6.6 miles (MO 109): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 6.7 miles (MO 109): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 29 miles (US 40): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
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
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
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 291 toward MO 291 South: Harrisonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
| 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 | 13.6 mi | 16m |
| MO 109 | 10.9 mi | 18m |
| I 470 | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| MO 291 | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| South Eatherton Road | 2.4 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Eureka, MO and Lee's Summit, MO.
Start on South Central Avenue
Turn right onto East 5th Street
Turn left onto MO 109
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
Continue on MO 109
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
Continue on MO 109
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
Continue on MO 109
Enter roundabout onto MO 109
Continue on MO 109
Enter roundabout onto South Eatherton Road
Continue on South Eatherton Road
Continue on Olive Street Road
Take the ramp onto Chesterfield Airport Road
Merge onto I 64; US 40; US 61
Take the exit onto US 40
Merge onto I 70; US 40
Continue on I 70; US 40
Continue on I 70; US 40
Continue on I 70; US 40
Continue on I 70; US 40
Continue on I 70; US 40
Continue on I 70
Take the exit
Merge onto I 470; MO 291
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 291
Turn right onto Southeast 3rd Street
Continue on Southwest 3rd Street
Arrive at destination
Given the turn-heavy nature of these local roads, you should plan to depart early in the morning to ensure you have plenty of daylight for navigating the route. With only one recommended stop planned, you have the flexibility to pace your trip according to your personal comfort level. Keep a close eye on your navigation, as the reliance on smaller local roads means you will encounter frequent turns rather than long, uninterrupted stretches. Since you are budgeting roughly $36 for fuel, try to fill up before leaving Eureka to avoid searching for stations along the more rural segments of the path. Use the lack of highway travel to your advantage by taking your time through the local landscape.
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.
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 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.2 miles or 2h 28m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lee's Summit, MO than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Eureka, 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 Eureka, MO
This is one driving day of about 234.4 miles and 4h 39m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 117.2 mi from Eureka, MO · 2h 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
117 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 117.2 miles from Eureka, 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.
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.
Regular Gas
$36.65 one way
$73.29 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $40.24 | $80.47 |
| premium | $4.89 | $45.11 | $90.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.75 | $103.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.3 | 0 | $24.61 | $11.25 |
| Efficient EV | 58.6 | 0 | $20.51 | $9.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 93.8 | 1 | $32.82 | $15.00 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Eureka on Wednesday
Local time
5:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Lee's Summit on Wednesday
Local time
5:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
75°F
Quincy, IL
117 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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